http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/cleared-corey-norman-has-mind-on-clash-wit-bulldogs-number-one-ben-barba/story-e6frep76-1226649549872
Cleared Corey Norman has mind on clash wit Bulldogs number one Ben Barba
BRONCOS coach Anthony Griffin has backed Corey Norman to handle a fullback duel with Bulldogs sensation Ben Barba tonight despite the emotion surrounding his role in the Ben Te'o affair.
Griffin yesterday said Queensland Police had cleared Norman of any wrongdoing after a woman, Katie Lewis, accused his former Broncos teammate Te'o, now at Souths, of assaulting her.
The alleged incident occurred at Norman's Brisbane home last month.
The NRL's integrity unit has begun a probe into Lewis' claims and is expected to interview Norman and Darius Boyd, who was also present during the alleged attack, next week.
Griffin is comfortable with the Broncos' handling of the issue and said Norman had nothing to fear from an NRL investigation.
"Our player (Norman) has got no issue with the incident or with the police. Paul White (Broncos CEO) has been in constant contact with the relevant parties and he's dealing with that," he said.
"I understand the NRL are conducting an investigation, but from our end, Corey Norman has been cleared by the police and from our information which we've investigated since the incident."
Norman's backfield clash with reigning Dally M Medallist Barba will be a key sub-plot at ANZ Stadium and Griffin says his fullback's mind is on the job.
"He seems fine," Griffin said after Norman completed the Broncos' final training run before flying to Sydney.
"Corey bounced back last week with a good game for us (in the 32-6 thumping of the Titans) and Ben Barba is working himself into form.
"Against the Warriors, Barba was the difference in their comeback. He is building his game, so we will have to be good to shut him down."
The Broncos reported no late changes, with Justin Hodges cleared to return despite Griffin admitting the Queensland strike centre may not be 100 per cent fit.
"He is going to play, he has a little issue there with his ribs," Griffin said.
"He'll get some contact there (tonight), I imagine.
"He is pretty free, it has settled down a lot since the weekend, so we'll leave it to the medical staff."
Broncos duo Dunamis Lui and Denan Kemp drop off a six-man bench, with rookie utility Jordan Kahu to fill the left-centre void created by Jack Reed's eye injury.
Grand finalists last year, Canterbury are languishing in 13th spot but Griffin is wary of Barba and a forward pack that can play before the line.
Brisbane have lost five of their past seven games against the Bulldogs, including the past two encounters in Sydney.
"Guys like Barba and (Josh) Reynolds are dangerous and they have a big forward pack that plays a bit differently," Griffin said.
"They play with a bit of finesse and they have people who can break the game open with their sheer ability.
"They are an enormously powerful side."
