Although I would have liked not to sign Boyd and instead let Barba have first crack at fullback, I guess we'll just have to accept it for what it is.
I honestly don't see Barba, a Dally M medal winning fullback lasting much longer at the club after being demoted to a bench role where he'll likely play short 20 minute spells, but I don't see many clubs chasing a "bench utility" This is a major fall from grace for a player who looked to have the world at his feet.
Good post but I think you're being a little unfair on Bennett. It's easy to disregard this season but Barba spent the vast majority of the year at fullback. I fully understand that injuries, confidence issues etc played a part so maybe I'm being unfair but if that's the case he should have been recuperating - Barba is a great player. As a fan, I wouldn't blame the club for playing the long game and looking after his welfare.
In his first interview as Broncos coach, Wayne Bennett desribed Barba's ankle injuries as 'horrific' I think the word was. Honestly, why was he playing at the start of this year? It's a bit beyond my comprehension. If you have a star recruit who is in your long term plans - why not make sure he is 100% and able to deliver?
Instead he was given a genuine chance at the back. I don't necessarily agree that a change of coach would have solved everything. Lockyer played well under all his coaches. So has Thurston. So has Inglis. They guys have had multiple coaches and still delivered. Barba has the potential to belong in that tier of player but he has not shown it yet.
The thing that worries me is that Barba has his own personal issues that need help from a figure like Wayne, but instead Bennett has pretty much disregarded him and instead given him a kick in the guts by signing Boyd. He has denied him a chance to return to his devastating best and this could seriously derail Barba's career. To be honest, I'd much rather he stayed at the Dogs. I would hate to see Barba lost to the NRL.
I think it's more of a case of Bennett chasing who he thinks will best suit the type of team he wants to build. Besides, what else could he do? Give Barba first crack and let him have umpteen chances to impress? Fullback is a crucial position and we need ours to fire regardless of who wears the jersey. Maybe a 20 minute stint from the bench is just what he needs to get back to his best.
The one thing I'll say about Bennett, is that he seems to be a little unfair to certain players. He will get rid of players he doesn't like, but bring those that he likes with him wherever he goes. I'd much rather he worked with the players he has at his disposal rather than potentially destroying their career.
Again, I think the players departing have to take a bit of ownership. Hoffman asked for a release a year ago and is now leaving to pursue his fullback dream. God luck to him, no hard feelings. Bennett has other ideas - that's footy. Who else? Kennedy? He's another one who had multiple chances to impress this year. People point to those opening minutes in Townsville as his fall from grace but the guy had 8 games to show his wares. Even after it was known that Griffin was leaving, Kennedy was back in first grade and could have lifted to make an impression on the incoming coach but again didn't offer much.
Bottom line for mine is this: If Hoffman was gunning it at fullback, we never sign Barba or Boyd. If Hannant and Kennedy were gunning it, they wouldn't be leaving.
