Will the dogs let Barba slip through their hands like they did Thurston?

[ANTiLAG]

Public opinion on Barba is mixed. I think he is a raw talent with guidance will become an absolutely outstanding player. Others say - needs more time before they're convinced of his talent.

Last night I saw him kick a 40-20 and obviously most fans of the game can conceded his jinking,jiving running game is similar to Langer except Barba has an afterburner.

Yes his defence is limited as he is not a strong tackler - that said his overall defensive game is made better as he continuously gets into the opposition line and is there to intercept and pick up loose ball. He would not be the first half who has trouble tackling - but I think his overall defensive game is far better than Sowards.

One try every 45 minutes the kid scores - let alone his try assists. This kid is a real talent of Thurston proportions. You have signed halves for next year. I see 3 things happening

1 - becomes a superstar for the doggies - great surname to be knwon as Terry Lamb the second
2 - goes elsewhere and becomes a superstar ala Thurston
3 - becomes jaded with bench and NSW cup games and becomes the next Ewan McGrady - so much talent left unfulfilled.

 

[beads6]

He will end up playing at the Broncos!!

 

[Perth Knights]

He will end up playing at the Broncos!!

Surely the kid has more sense than to play at the Broncos. His promising career would go nowhere fast!!

 

[Timmah]

You wish.

You do realise he has re-signed with Canterbury?

 

[ANTiLAG]

You wish.

You do realise he has re-signed with Canterbury?

Yeah so had SBW and Ben Hannant. A doggies contract does not appear to be the strongest bond.

 

[Timmah]

I was talking to the bloke who said he'll end up at Brisbane.

 

[Big Pete]

Will be interesting days.

How long has he signed on for? 2 years?

 

[beads6]

I was talking to the bloke who said he'll end up at Brisbane.

It doesn't bother me if he does play at the Broncos or not. I just have a feeling he will end up at Brisbane with his mates.

 

[Timmah]

Highly doubt it.

 

[beads6]

How do the dogs intend on using Barba?? With Hodgkinson and Keating signed plus ROberts in your squad. Barba to fullback perhaps??

 

[saint_marto88]

Until people start bombing him. This "try every 45 minutes" statistic is laughable. At least wait until he plays a full season until you start claiming that.

 

[ANTiLAG]

Until people start bombing him.

Ahhh - yes short people cannot be good club fullbacks. Bowen and Wesser were not told of this. Just do not tell Barba. I do not like the thought of him as fullback anyway. Needs to be in the halves for maximum use and finding intercepts, grabbing grounded ball etc.

This "try every 45 minutes" statistic is laughable. At least wait until he plays a full season until you start claiming that.

Why? He has scored 10 tries in stuff all minutes this and set others up. The guy makes things happen. To ignore this is foolish.

Look the kid might be the next Ewan McGrady. Noone's calling to have him moulded in bronze just yet. As beads explained - the dogs have Roberts and signed Keating next year. Presumably Hodkinson is the starting halfback.

Leaves Barba squeezed. Much like Thurston was behind Anasta and Sherwin.

 

[watatank]

He'll probably replace Patten at fullback.

 

[ANTiLAG]

He'll probably replace Patten at fullback.

With absolutely no disrespect to fullbacks - what a waste of Barba's talents that would be.

 

[hellteam]

I remember there was a rumour last year that we were considering signing him, maybe it was the year before

 

[Timmah]

With Patten likely to head to the Old Dart it's pretty obvious to me the intention is to shift him to fullback.

Barba would play well in any "spine" role IMO - 1-6-7-9

 

[Doga]

Ben's younger brother Marmin is also in the Bulldogs lower grade. Ben wants to play alongside his brother at the Dogs.

Ben's preferred position is fullback.

 

[lifesgood]

Play Barba at fullback, Keating and Hodkinson in the halves

 

[Bulldog Force]

Look the kid might be the next Ewan McGrady. Noone's calling to have him moulded in bronze just yet. As beads explained - the dogs have Roberts and signed Keating next year. Presumably Hodkinson is the starting halfback.

Leaves Barba squeezed. Much like Thurston was behind Anasta and Sherwin.

1. Barba

6. Roberts
7. Hodkinson

9. Ennis

14. Keating

 

[watatank]

With absolutely no disrespect to fullbacks - what a waste of Barba's talents that would be.

Not necessarily, fullback is the position with the most freedom and Barba thrives on that. Whether he would be good defensively and under the high ball is a concern though but in theory it could work.