Barba try against Plodkins

[I bleed Maroon]

I hate to blow my load over ONE moment, but that was fair dinkem the Benny Barba of old. Fair enough, he probably couldn't have done it without the assist from Reed, but half of what Barba did in 2012 was amazing support play from the Dogs ball players.

I'm confident he'll take a massive amount of confidence out of that. He knows he made a bitch out of Tomkins in a 1 on 1 scenario. He showed some of his signature pace as well. Good signs for the future.

 

[Unbreakable]

Was a great try, I wouldn't say he looked as fast as 2012, but he showed some decent pace, hopefully once he's lost the excess weight that Hook made him put on and he's fully recovered from his off-season ankle surgery (Which I still think is bothering him slightly), he'll have his wheels back in 2015.

 

[Foordy]

I loved watching the try, but I even more so loved the fact that Barba was there in support after The Reed break down the short side. That is something we haven't seen enough of from him this year, and a reason he was so dangerous in 2012.

He has been building slowly this year, and he took another few steps forward last night.

 

[Kimlo]

I think he still looks a bit slow, needs to trim down but it's always exciting, he's scored two trys in his last two games.

 

[Morkel]

Not that I'm advocating the extra weight, but I reckon it helped push Tomkins off. The stocky legs helped him hold his ground.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Has Porthoz missed this thread......?? :smile:

Let's not get too carried away. After all, Tompkins is one of the worst defenders in the NRL.

 

[Porthoz]

Has Porthoz missed this thread......?? :smile:

Let's not get too carried away. After all, Tompkins is one of the worst defenders in the NRL.

Nah mate, haven't you heard...? If I say it, it's an agenda!

 

[kingpest]

If he loses more weight they'll be dragging him back 20 metres instead of 10 on kick returns!

 

[Kimlo]

If he loses more weight they'll be dragging him back 20 metres instead of 10 on kick returns!

Tomkins is much lighter and he doesn't get dragged back much, I think putting on weight is over rated for fast players. Barba losing 5kgs or so would bring him back to his best, he won a Dally M at his previous weight.

 

[Morkel]

Tomkins is much lighter and he doesn't get dragged back much, I think putting on weight is over rated for fast players. Barba losing 5kgs or so would bring him back to his best, he won a Dally M at his previous weight.

Yeah, the weight Barba potentially loses will make him harder to pin down in the first place, meaning the defender(s) have loss opportunity to get a decent grab on him to drag him back.

Tomkins has to pretty much remain untouched to get through, otherwise he is flung to the ground like a rag. I don't want Barba to be that waife-like, but his 2012 size was the perfect median.

 

[Porthoz]

Yeah, the weight Barba potentially loses will make him harder to pin down in the first place, meaning the defender(s) have loss opportunity to get a decent grab on him to drag him back.

Tomkins has to pretty much remain untouched to get through, otherwise he is flung to the ground like a rag. I don't want Barba to be that waife-like, but his 2012 size was the perfect median.

Exactly, the fact Plodkins was brushed off by Barba of all people, tells it all...

He could probably lose a couple of Kgs, but too many will affect his defensive abilit. It's all about finding the sweet spot...

 

[rnabokov]

What I liked about this try was that Barba toyed with Tomkins. He sized him up, he thought of his moves, his instincts were alive and he just knew exactly what he had to do and he did it so well - very nuch like the Barba of old: to me he thought his way around Tomkins, knowing exactly what to do.

That is largely the reason I advocate Barba as the better 5/8 than Milford. Milford has the acceleration, speed and footwork, and he can pass, but Barba thinks and acts on both thought and instinct, whereas Milford just runs at the gap. If it were Milford not Barba, I am not sure he would have got away with what Barba did.

For mine, that try showed exactly why Barba was, and can be, a truly great player, be it at the back, or 5/8 which is where, IMO, he ought to play ... ASAP

 

[Danoz Direct]

What I liked about this try was that Barba toyed with Tomkins. He sized him up, he thought of his moves, his instincts were alive and he just knew exactly what he had to do and he did it so well - very nuch like the Barba of old: to me he thought his way around Tomkins, knowing exactly what to do.

That is largely the reason I advocate Barba as the better 5/8 than Milford. Milford has the acceleration, speed and footwork, and he can pass, but Barba thinks and acts on both thought and instinct, whereas Milford just runs at the gap. If it were Milford not Barba, I am not sure he would have got away with what Barba did.

For mine, that try showed exactly why Barba was, and can be, a truly great player, be it at the back, or 5/8 which is where, IMO, he ought to play ... ASAP

Have you seen some of Milford's plays this year? He clearly uses his instinct and thinks things through.

 

[rnabokov]

Have you seen some of Milford's plays this year? He clearly uses his instinct and thinks things through.

I agree, and it would have been more prudent of me to say that he does, but also to add "not to the extent that Barba does, at his stage of their careers, given the difference in experience between the two".

I still feel Barba would make the more effective 5/8, at this point in time, and alternatively, Milford the better FB.

I would dearly like to see Barba at 5/8 now. Right now.

 

[subsbligh]

That's the first time Barba has been in open space all season.

Showed his class against a pretty weak effort by Tompkins.

Let's see some more of it.

 

[MaroubraBroncos]

I loved watching the try, but I even more so loved the fact that Barba was there in support after The Reed break down the short side. That is something we haven't seen enough of from him this year, and a reason he was so dangerous in 2012.

He has been building slowly this year, and he took another few steps forward last night.

The old barba was always hovering around the middle waiting for a offload. Its almost like he has been told not too do it. That or he's to busy covering as ballplayer for Hoggman.

 

[FaceOfMutiny]

Barba this year hangs around the same side as Hoffman because in attack he pretty much has to play 5/8th yet the ball will still often go to Hoffman who doesn't pass it and it just dies and gets sent out the other way. When Barba gets the ball that side looks much more dangerous.

I think Glenn and Reed's season has been average because they just don't seem to get the ball in a position where they can do anymore than just run into the other team and try not to make a mistake.

I'd be open to Hoffman and Barba swapping positions.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Pretty positive article -

Error Page