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Hey Presto, it's another Panther
By JAMES HOOPER
The Daily Telegraph
December 20, 2003
PREMIERS Penrith are ready to unleash a double dose of Preston Campbell brilliance next season after signing his cousin, who has scored an amazing 61 tries in two seasons.
Aaron Barba, 22, has been signed on a one-year deal by the Panthers and can cover a variety of positions from the halves to wing and fullback.
"I chased him last year, too, but Redcliffe had an option on his services which they decided to exercise," Penrith chief executive Shane Richardson said.
Barba knocked back a college sprinting scholarship in the US as a teenager to follow into rugby league.
He has scored his 61 tries over two seasons playing for Sydney Roosters feeder club Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup in Brisbane.
While these days he'd rather be fishing than setting sprint tracks alight, Barba has no regrets about his decision to reject all the trappings of the US college circuit for an opportunity in the NRL.
"Aaron is electrifying. He's very similar to Preston but probably a bit stronger in the legs," Richardson said.
"This guy is greased lightning across the whole field.
"He's very skilful, he's not your average bear. He can throw a 30m cut-out pass and score tries from all over the place."
Barba's decision to link with the Panthers created drama at Redcliffe towards the end of the season with coach Neil Wharton axing him to reserve grade because of Redcliffe's ties to the Roosters.
But the small-in-stature man handled being dumped in style, scoring a hat-trick of tries to win his spot back on the wing for the semi-finals.
Barba then scored two tries in the semi-final and another hat-trick in the grand final as Redcliffe collected their second premiership.
While he may have a few defensive flaws the Panthers are confident they can accommodate them in order to make the most of his sublime attacking prowess.
"I just want to train hard and get a lot bigger and a lot fitter," Barba said.
"Hopefully one day if I can say I played one NRL game I will be happy."
The speedster with the cheeky grin hails from Mackay in Queensland where he has four brothers and one sister.
Hey Presto, it's another Panther
By JAMES HOOPER
The Daily Telegraph
December 20, 2003
PREMIERS Penrith are ready to unleash a double dose of Preston Campbell brilliance next season after signing his cousin, who has scored an amazing 61 tries in two seasons.
Aaron Barba, 22, has been signed on a one-year deal by the Panthers and can cover a variety of positions from the halves to wing and fullback.
"I chased him last year, too, but Redcliffe had an option on his services which they decided to exercise," Penrith chief executive Shane Richardson said.
Barba knocked back a college sprinting scholarship in the US as a teenager to follow into rugby league.
He has scored his 61 tries over two seasons playing for Sydney Roosters feeder club Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup in Brisbane.
While these days he'd rather be fishing than setting sprint tracks alight, Barba has no regrets about his decision to reject all the trappings of the US college circuit for an opportunity in the NRL.
"Aaron is electrifying. He's very similar to Preston but probably a bit stronger in the legs," Richardson said.
"This guy is greased lightning across the whole field.
"He's very skilful, he's not your average bear. He can throw a 30m cut-out pass and score tries from all over the place."
Barba's decision to link with the Panthers created drama at Redcliffe towards the end of the season with coach Neil Wharton axing him to reserve grade because of Redcliffe's ties to the Roosters.
But the small-in-stature man handled being dumped in style, scoring a hat-trick of tries to win his spot back on the wing for the semi-finals.
Barba then scored two tries in the semi-final and another hat-trick in the grand final as Redcliffe collected their second premiership.
While he may have a few defensive flaws the Panthers are confident they can accommodate them in order to make the most of his sublime attacking prowess.
"I just want to train hard and get a lot bigger and a lot fitter," Barba said.
"Hopefully one day if I can say I played one NRL game I will be happy."
The speedster with the cheeky grin hails from Mackay in Queensland where he has four brothers and one sister.
