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NRL boss Todd Greenberg assures Ben Barba’s partner his NRL career is not over
NRL boss Todd Greenberg made contact with the partner of Ben Barba to check on her welfare at what has been a highly stressful time for the family – and he has assured her that Barba's NRL career is not over.
Dave Smith, the old boss of the NRL, wasn't sure who Barba was. He famously referred to a player called "Benji Barba" at the 2013 season launch. It was an easy mistake, but one that defined his career.
However there is no such confusion with Greenberg, Smith's successor. He faced a full investigation into allegations he covered up allegations of domestic violence involving Barba and his partner, Ainslee, while chief executive at the Bulldogs. Greenberg was cleared and took up a senior role with the NRL.
Since then, he has maintained a keen interest in Barba's life.
"I'm disappointed, and there are big consequences," Greenberg said after Barba's release from the Sharks having tested positive to cocaine. "But we are dealing with families and human beings. His poor decision in this instance doesn't mean he is gone from the game. People need to understand that we have all grown up differently and Ben has made a number of poor decisions in his life.
"A lot of people see Ben Barba as a footballer with a No.1 on his back. I see him as a father with four little girls to support and he has to get his life right. I'm feeling for Ainslee – I spoke to her and just want to make sure that she is OK. She is under a lot of pressure looking after four little girls."
Barba has since made reference to allegations of domestic violence and apologised to Ainslee for his behaviour, without ever saying exactly what he did. There has always been a side to Barba that contrasts with the fluid, smiley athlete we see on the field. That side has threatened his career from the moment it blossomed.
He was part of a gang of numbskulls who called themselves the Epic Bender Crew. Please. He split with the mother of his kids, signed at the Broncos and was shown the door by Wayne Bennett. The story I've been told is that Bennett told Barba he was worth the big bucks on his 2012 Bulldogs form, but not his Brisbane form. Barba is said to have told Bennett he was worth big dollars on his Dragons form, but not his Knights form.
Barba was lucky to find a new home at the Sharks. It was there he reconciled with Ainslee. He now has four daughters and a premiership ring to go with his Dally M award. It's quite the life and work resume. But there was a midyear fight with Sharks teammate Sosaia Feki and a trip back home to Queensland, where he considered quitting the game. Not a new threat.
In the two weeks since the Sharks found out about his positive test, the club has been dealing with threats from his advisers that he will walk out. In other words, he'd run away from his troubles yet again. There was a push for him to go to England, where the 12-week ban doesn't stand and he could command big money. But here is the best sign: Barba decided not to run. To face his problems head on. To fix his life. To be a decent dad and person. It may be the most significant moment of his life. One that unlocks the good Ben and buries – or at least helps him control – the bad.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg made contact with the partner of Ben Barba to check on her welfare at what has been a highly stressful time for the family – and he has assured her that Barba's NRL career is not over.
Dave Smith, the old boss of the NRL, wasn't sure who Barba was. He famously referred to a player called "Benji Barba" at the 2013 season launch. It was an easy mistake, but one that defined his career.
However there is no such confusion with Greenberg, Smith's successor. He faced a full investigation into allegations he covered up allegations of domestic violence involving Barba and his partner, Ainslee, while chief executive at the Bulldogs. Greenberg was cleared and took up a senior role with the NRL.
Since then, he has maintained a keen interest in Barba's life.
"I'm disappointed, and there are big consequences," Greenberg said after Barba's release from the Sharks having tested positive to cocaine. "But we are dealing with families and human beings. His poor decision in this instance doesn't mean he is gone from the game. People need to understand that we have all grown up differently and Ben has made a number of poor decisions in his life.
"A lot of people see Ben Barba as a footballer with a No.1 on his back. I see him as a father with four little girls to support and he has to get his life right. I'm feeling for Ainslee – I spoke to her and just want to make sure that she is OK. She is under a lot of pressure looking after four little girls."
Barba has since made reference to allegations of domestic violence and apologised to Ainslee for his behaviour, without ever saying exactly what he did. There has always been a side to Barba that contrasts with the fluid, smiley athlete we see on the field. That side has threatened his career from the moment it blossomed.
He was part of a gang of numbskulls who called themselves the Epic Bender Crew. Please. He split with the mother of his kids, signed at the Broncos and was shown the door by Wayne Bennett. The story I've been told is that Bennett told Barba he was worth the big bucks on his 2012 Bulldogs form, but not his Brisbane form. Barba is said to have told Bennett he was worth big dollars on his Dragons form, but not his Knights form.
Barba was lucky to find a new home at the Sharks. It was there he reconciled with Ainslee. He now has four daughters and a premiership ring to go with his Dally M award. It's quite the life and work resume. But there was a midyear fight with Sharks teammate Sosaia Feki and a trip back home to Queensland, where he considered quitting the game. Not a new threat.
In the two weeks since the Sharks found out about his positive test, the club has been dealing with threats from his advisers that he will walk out. In other words, he'd run away from his troubles yet again. There was a push for him to go to England, where the 12-week ban doesn't stand and he could command big money. But here is the best sign: Barba decided not to run. To face his problems head on. To fix his life. To be a decent dad and person. It may be the most significant moment of his life. One that unlocks the good Ben and buries – or at least helps him control – the bad.
