S4Sonny
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BEN Barba has put his hand up to solve the Bulldogs' playmaking crisis, with the brilliant fullback declaring that answering a potential SOS call is more important than the Dally M Medal.
The Bulldogs' minor premiership charge was put in doubt by a hamstring injury to halfback Kris Keating and a suspected fractured cheekbone to prop Sam Kasiano during Friday's victory over Manly at Brookvale.
Barba, who scored two tries from fullback to continue his stellar season, said he would have no hesitation giving up the position that has helped him become one of the best attacking players in the game.
The Mackay product, who played his entire junior career at five-eighth, has stormed into Dally M calculations for both the fullback of the year and player of the year awards.
However, he said he would put his team's fortunes before the coveted gong.
"They (the Dally Ms) are the last thing from my mind," Barba said.
"My focus is on the Bulldogs and doing whatever it takes for the team.
"I will do whatever is asked of me and won't even be thinking about awards."
With scans to determine how long Keating will be sidelined and his obvious replacement Trent Hodkinson out for the season with a knee injury, Des Hasler is confronting the toughest decision of his Bulldogs coaching career.
The two-time premiership-winning coach has few options and will have to gamble on moving either Barba, backrower David Stagg, or hooker Michael Ennis into a playmaking role alongside the ever-improving Josh Reynolds.
His only other option is to promote former fullback-come-halfback Trent Cutler from the NSW Cup to fill the breach.
Stagg has deputised at five-eighth in the past and was thrown into the role last Friday following Keating's injury, with Reynolds shifting to the key halfback role.
Barba said he would have no issue with being moved from fullback, where he could be replaced by either Sam Perrett, Jonathan Wright or Krisnan Inu at the back.
"I am not sure what Des will do," Barba said.
"That stuff is out of my hands, but I would be willing to do whatever he asks.
"I am obviously enjoying my time there (at fullback) and that is my position now, but I would have no problems going back to the halves.
"I am not sure what they will do there, but I am sure they will come up with the right decision.
"I would play anywhere in the side as long I am in the 17. I will just see what happens during the week."
The Bulldogs have been left battered and bruised by the Brookvale Oval encounter, with Kasiano sidelined for an extended period. The barnstorming prop suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone in a head clash with Jason King and is likely to miss six weeks.
However, the biggest concern is the injury to Keating with the club's playmaking stocks wearing thin.
The former Parramatta player strained a hamstring in the first half and looked a distraught figure when he hobbled to the sideline.
Barba could prove to be the solution, with the tryscoring sensation dominating the under-20s competition a few years ago as a No. 6.
He said he was still feeling the effects of the "toughest" game of his career after another match-winning display.
Barba was on the end of several heavy collisions as he was targeted under the high ball.
"It was a very rewarding win," Barba said. "It was probably the toughest game I have ever played in. But we have to now move on to next week and focus on the Cowboys. That will be another tough game.
"I copped a few, but you learn from things like that. It gets you ready for the bigger games, but I am good and well and walking around freely, so that is all that counts."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ba-to-the-halves/story-e6frexnr-1226431571091
The Bulldogs' minor premiership charge was put in doubt by a hamstring injury to halfback Kris Keating and a suspected fractured cheekbone to prop Sam Kasiano during Friday's victory over Manly at Brookvale.
Barba, who scored two tries from fullback to continue his stellar season, said he would have no hesitation giving up the position that has helped him become one of the best attacking players in the game.
The Mackay product, who played his entire junior career at five-eighth, has stormed into Dally M calculations for both the fullback of the year and player of the year awards.
However, he said he would put his team's fortunes before the coveted gong.
"They (the Dally Ms) are the last thing from my mind," Barba said.
"My focus is on the Bulldogs and doing whatever it takes for the team.
"I will do whatever is asked of me and won't even be thinking about awards."
With scans to determine how long Keating will be sidelined and his obvious replacement Trent Hodkinson out for the season with a knee injury, Des Hasler is confronting the toughest decision of his Bulldogs coaching career.
The two-time premiership-winning coach has few options and will have to gamble on moving either Barba, backrower David Stagg, or hooker Michael Ennis into a playmaking role alongside the ever-improving Josh Reynolds.
His only other option is to promote former fullback-come-halfback Trent Cutler from the NSW Cup to fill the breach.
Stagg has deputised at five-eighth in the past and was thrown into the role last Friday following Keating's injury, with Reynolds shifting to the key halfback role.
Barba said he would have no issue with being moved from fullback, where he could be replaced by either Sam Perrett, Jonathan Wright or Krisnan Inu at the back.
"I am not sure what Des will do," Barba said.
"That stuff is out of my hands, but I would be willing to do whatever he asks.
"I am obviously enjoying my time there (at fullback) and that is my position now, but I would have no problems going back to the halves.
"I am not sure what they will do there, but I am sure they will come up with the right decision.
"I would play anywhere in the side as long I am in the 17. I will just see what happens during the week."
The Bulldogs have been left battered and bruised by the Brookvale Oval encounter, with Kasiano sidelined for an extended period. The barnstorming prop suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone in a head clash with Jason King and is likely to miss six weeks.
However, the biggest concern is the injury to Keating with the club's playmaking stocks wearing thin.
The former Parramatta player strained a hamstring in the first half and looked a distraught figure when he hobbled to the sideline.
Barba could prove to be the solution, with the tryscoring sensation dominating the under-20s competition a few years ago as a No. 6.
He said he was still feeling the effects of the "toughest" game of his career after another match-winning display.
Barba was on the end of several heavy collisions as he was targeted under the high ball.
"It was a very rewarding win," Barba said. "It was probably the toughest game I have ever played in. But we have to now move on to next week and focus on the Cowboys. That will be another tough game.
"I copped a few, but you learn from things like that. It gets you ready for the bigger games, but I am good and well and walking around freely, so that is all that counts."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ba-to-the-halves/story-e6frexnr-1226431571091
