Barba gets a taste of swimming with the Sharks
Ben Barba had his first training session with Cronulla Sharks at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware.
The former Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos star has signed a three-year contract with the Sharks.
Barba, 25, was greeted by a media throng on the training field next to the stadium.
His squad training included fitness, sprint and skills drills.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told Barba two weeks ago that he did not fit into his plans even though he was contracted for two more years.
Barbas life was sent into a spin and he had to move fast to continue his NRL career.
Its been a hectic time over the past week with the Sharks hearing Barba was on the open market, negotiating with the talented players management and securing his services.
Barba said he was happy to be at his new club.
His family is still in Brisbane and will join him soon.
I am happy to be at the Sharks, Barba said.
I think I will be playing at five-eighth in N0. 6.
Barba said he was personally stronger mentally after his fall from grace in recent times when several off-field problems affected his form and life.
It was revealed at that time that Barba had sought professional help for mental health problems.
He said Sharks captain Paul Gallen, who made his mental health battles public, would be a positive influence on him and his footy.
The Sharks, hunting for more backline talent in 2015, threw a lifeline to Barba.
Barbas onetime Bulldogs teammate Michael Ennis will be at the Sharks next year.
Ennis, who starts training on November 24, has signed a three-year contract.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said he was thrilled to have Barba playing.
I'm sure Sharks fans will be really excited about watching Benny play, Flanagan said.
He has flair, x-factor and try scoring ability but it's not just about the tries he scores, it's the tries he creates and the opportunities he provides for others.
Our attack is an area we need to improve. I've focused a lot of my recruitment around that and Benny fits perfectly into the team I'm trying to build.
Flanagan said Barba scored 15 tries for the Broncos in the 2014 season and that his form was better than given credit for.
We bought Ben to play No. 6. He will make a good combination with halfback Jeff Robson, Flanagan said.
Flanagan said media reports that Barba would not be living in Sutherland Shire were wrong.
Ben and his family can live where they want, there are no restrictions on Ben, he said.
Can Ben Barba spark the Sharks in 2015?
Update: Sharks prop Bryce Gibbs has announced his retirement. Gibbs played 12 years in the NRL with two clubs, Wests Tigers and the Sharks and 197 games.
Source
/Actuality 4th.
