TheBearHunter
Guard Dog.
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I cant find it anywhere but if its here mods please delete this 
thx!!
By Neil Cadigan
July 04, 2008 12:00am
STEVE Folkes admits that injury or circumstance may force him to play Toyota Cup sensation, 19-year-old Ben Barba, in the NRL before the end of this season - before his time.
But it would most likely be off the bench or at fullback, where similarly-styled former Rothmans medallist Ewan McGrady made such an impact in the early 1990s.
Folkes admits he shouldn't have aggravated the club's most vocal fans by predicting their screaming for his inclusion three weeks ago, but he doesn't change his opinion on protecting Barba from an obvious NRL onslaught - if he can.
"I probably shouldn't have said what I said," he confessed.
"It was pre-emptive, I knew what was coming and I understand the fans are entitled to their opinions.
"But the coaching staff, and that includes Andrew Johns who would know a bit about it, have said to me several times Ben Barba is not ready for first grade and I agree. Andrew is adamant.
"While he is fantastic in the under-20s with the ball, his defence can be poor, which is half the game. He is only slight and if you played him in the front line he would be an absolute target for the opposition.
"Ben is definitely a first grader of the future, a wonderful talent, but I don't think we want to do that to him at this stage of his development until he gets a bit stronger and more mature in the body.
"He might get an opportunity through necessity, though, off the bench or fullback where he has played under-20s."
One player's progress Folkes is delighted with is the formerly wayward Reni Maitua, who the club could have easily released earlier this year.
"I have a lot of time for Reni; he's just a really good, honest bloke who was a bit confused with his direction after a few off-field incidents that were made out to be bigger than they were.
"He's got back into surfing after drifting away from it and even went to Bali for five days when we had the bye, which was good for him as a release from footy.
"He's really committed and playing quite well and that is why you are prepared to work with him and why we didn't want to let him go."
thx!!By Neil Cadigan
July 04, 2008 12:00am
STEVE Folkes admits that injury or circumstance may force him to play Toyota Cup sensation, 19-year-old Ben Barba, in the NRL before the end of this season - before his time.
But it would most likely be off the bench or at fullback, where similarly-styled former Rothmans medallist Ewan McGrady made such an impact in the early 1990s.
Folkes admits he shouldn't have aggravated the club's most vocal fans by predicting their screaming for his inclusion three weeks ago, but he doesn't change his opinion on protecting Barba from an obvious NRL onslaught - if he can.
"I probably shouldn't have said what I said," he confessed.
"It was pre-emptive, I knew what was coming and I understand the fans are entitled to their opinions.
"But the coaching staff, and that includes Andrew Johns who would know a bit about it, have said to me several times Ben Barba is not ready for first grade and I agree. Andrew is adamant.
"While he is fantastic in the under-20s with the ball, his defence can be poor, which is half the game. He is only slight and if you played him in the front line he would be an absolute target for the opposition.
"Ben is definitely a first grader of the future, a wonderful talent, but I don't think we want to do that to him at this stage of his development until he gets a bit stronger and more mature in the body.
"He might get an opportunity through necessity, though, off the bench or fullback where he has played under-20s."
One player's progress Folkes is delighted with is the formerly wayward Reni Maitua, who the club could have easily released earlier this year.
"I have a lot of time for Reni; he's just a really good, honest bloke who was a bit confused with his direction after a few off-field incidents that were made out to be bigger than they were.
"He's got back into surfing after drifting away from it and even went to Bali for five days when we had the bye, which was good for him as a release from footy.
"He's really committed and playing quite well and that is why you are prepared to work with him and why we didn't want to let him go."
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