[Confirmed] Ben Barba signs with Cronulla

[Unbreakable]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Just putting it out there, but how many of you guys would be upset if Boyd somehow decided not to come, and Barba was told by Wayne that he would be playing fullback??? Now I know this is highly unlikely, but not impossible, just want your thoughts...

As an avid Boyd > Barba person, I wouldn't really care, we'd more than likely off-load Barba after this season if he didn't perform and chase an elite Five-Eighth to partner with Hunt, then move Milford to fullback.

We're in a phenomenal position.

 

[rnabokov]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

I just can't come at Barba (apparently) not been given a chance to develop further in the halves. For mine he was looking the goods, and another season would have shown that.

And I cough cough ... agree with AP - I reckon Barba is one of the most talented players in the game ... and yes, he has to emulate that 2012 form but for mine, he needs a decent go ... just like Hunt who of course, copped no criticism during his first efforts at half back (and is now with the 'Roos).

I must be the only one on this Forum who believes the (hopefully) next best thing to Darren Lockyer - Milford, is not starting in his most effective position: FB, where he can run, and set up plays all over the park instead of being relatively restricted at 5/8.

I am sure Milford will make a great 5/8 but for mine, his most effective position for this team now is FB, and we have Barba to prove his worth at 5/8. Milford can, as Locky did, play make from the back and up in the line: the modern FB: Slater, Bowen, Inglis etc.

Instead, we inherit Boyd - a very fine player, but no game breaker for mine like Milford and Barba.

So be it, but for mine, it sucks ... and it sucks even more that we might lose Barba.

 

[Cult]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Just putting it out there, but how many of you guys would be upset if Boyd somehow decided not to come, and Barba was told by Wayne that he would be playing fullback??? Now I know this is highly unlikely, but not impossible, just want your thoughts...

I would be horrified at the thought of teams being guaranteed constant repeat sets inside our 20 every week.

 

[broncos4life]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Just putting it out there, but how many of you guys would be upset if Boyd somehow decided not to come, and Barba was told by Wayne that he would be playing fullback??? Now I know this is highly unlikely, but not impossible, just want your thoughts...

Would hate it. Would fucking hate it

 

[GCBRONCO]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

The thing with Lockyer is 5/8th was his natural position and when he made his debut he was playing mostly as an interchange playmaker and when he started it was largely at 5/8th, even in his second season Willie Carne and Robbie Ross were sharing responsibilities at fullback, it wasn't until 1997 did you see Lockyer shifted to fullback and that was largely because O'Neill was sacked, Carne was told by the club he was unwanted and went to Union and Ross wanted to stay but had already made an agreement to join the Mariners in 1997, it was a move made more out of necessity rather then his more suited position, I'm sure if Kevin Walters wasn't in the picture Lockyer was next in line.

I think it's just the perfect example of how much of a talent Lockyer was and I tend to think of the two Milford is actually more adaptable then Barba(even more so with the problems Barba is going to have to overcome on and off the field before he even comes close to the form on 2012) would be and I agree with Lockyer's assessment of Milford, long term I see Milford's future lying in at 5/8th alongside Hunt, I have more confidence in those two as being our primary halve's combination and as such we are presented with the perfect opportunity to build us a long term halves combination.

Ideally I'd have Barba remain at fullback, trim him down, build up his confidence at fullback and focus on that, as for Boyd I'm sure if(unlikely) Bennett said to him his going to play wing he would happily comply because if there's one thing you can be certain with Boyd it's that, but from what Bennett has said and what has been in the media it's very much Boyd at fullback, where that leaves Barba is anyone's guess really. I'm not sold on Boyd at fullback(but I'm not going to lose sleep over it either), I'd definitely play him on the wing and give Barba that opportunity to do so, at least then people can't claim he didn't get a fair shot too.

 

[Ari Gold]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

I just can't come at Barba (apparently) not been given a chance to develop further in the halves. For mine he was looking the goods, and another season would have shown that.

And I cough cough ... agree with AP - I reckon Barba is one of the most talented players in the game ... and yes, he has to emulate that 2012 form but for mine, he needs a decent go ... just like Hunt who of course, copped no criticism during his first efforts at half back (and is now with the 'Roos).

I must be the only one on this Forum who believes the (hopefully) next best thing to Darren Lockyer - Milford, is not starting in his most effective position: FB, where he can run, and set up plays all over the park instead of being relatively restricted at 5/8.

I am sure Milford will make a great 5/8 but for mine, his most effective position for this team now is FB, and we have Barba to prove his worth at 5/8. Milford can, as Locky did, play make from the back and up in the line: the modern FB: Slater, Bowen, Inglis etc.

Instead, we inherit Boyd - a very fine player, but no game breaker for mine like Milford and Barba.

So be it, but for mine, it sucks ... and it sucks even more that we might lose Barba.

Barba was a fun change at five eight and an upgrade on Hoffman but he's an awful five eight prospect IMO.

I do agree Milford is best as a fullback and e is my preferred fullback. It's a view that Queenslander also shares. Not sure on who else.

 

[Broncoman]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

I'm jumping off this merry-go-round, but I will ask you this. If Barba can be turned around why is it that the only club that will sign him is the cronulla ****ing sharks? Surely if the improvement is there every other club would have jumped on him for what I assume will end up being not a lot out of the salary cap?

Maybe it's time to wonder if all the people in the media etc. were right when they said Barba won't come close to 2012 again.

Because Barba hasn't officially been released from his contract or anything but I imagine if he did there would be some clubs chasing him like the ones you pointed out. Cronulla are just so desperate to sign anyone they would be sniffing around the goods whenever something is up.

 

[Harry Sack]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Would actually tell the Broncos that I'll play ISC rather than move again, wonder what Wayne's reaction would be.

 

[subsbligh]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Also, why not languish at the Broncos for another (2?) seasons on big money. Keeps your family fed doing nothing.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

http://m.couriermail.com.au/sport/n...-milford-arrives/story-fniabm4i-1227115112548

Judging by the tone of this article, I would suggest Barba is as good as gone to Cronulla. They will offer him a decent salary to be emergency coverage for Carney.

Ultimately, Barba will be vindicated only by the opinions of Boyd's performance come the end of the year. Personally, I think he's been hard done by.

1. Milford
6. Barba
7. Hunt
9. McC

That is a perfectly good backline that never needed Boyd to be successful, in my personal opinion. I would've thought Boyd's value would've been better served signing a top shelf prop.

 

[Porthoz]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Would hate it. Would fucking hate it

I'm sure you'd be fine. You'll easily come around... you're pretty adept at that.

 

[bazza]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

How about the scenario (once again highly unlikely), that Boyd starts the year at fullback and Barba sticks around, but is forced to play off the bench. He regains near top form through his brief stints off the bench, and Bennett decides to shift Boyd to left centre/wing with Barba back in the starting side at fullback? Thoughts on that...?

 

[Alec]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Just putting it out there, but how many of you guys would be upset if Boyd somehow decided not to come, and Barba was told by Wayne that he would be playing fullback??? Now I know this is highly unlikely, but not impossible, just want your thoughts...

If it saves us some money, I'd prefer this.

But otherwise, I don't care because they'll still be the (equal?) 3rd best fullbacks at the club.

 

[broncos4life]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

I'm sure you'd be fine. You'll easily come around... you're pretty adept at that.

Here we go again, was wondering when you were going to give your 10 bucks worth

 

[Ari Gold]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

B4L is the Santa that comes at Christmas. If you like WB he'll give you Boyd, if you don't he'll give you coal.

And he secretly hopes that white stuff in the glass with the cookies isn't milk.

 

[broncos4life]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

B4L is the Santa that comes at Christmas. If you like WB he'll give you Boyd, if you don't he'll give you coal.

And he secretly hopes that white stuff in the glass with the cookies isn't milk.

Your really hanging for christmas aren't you?

 

[Big Pete]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

B4L is the Santa that comes at Christmas. If you like WB he'll give you Boyd, if you don't he'll give you coal.

And he secretly hopes that white stuff in the glass with the cookies isn't milk.

I'm sorry b4l, I couldn't help myself.

It doesn't help either that I read every Ari post as if it's being said by Vossy.

I'll maintain that if Barba does leave, I'd hate to see him go to a club like Cronulla.

Heck, I'd even prefer it if he went to the Raiders. At least he'd have a chance to play fullback.

 

[Anonymous person]

Re: [RUMOUR] Ben Barba to Cronulla

Can I ask why people are now on the "milfords best position is definitely five eighth" opinion?

Is it seriously just cause Bennett said hes going to play five eighth? His running game is his big weapon. Thats how he scores tries, thats how he sets up tries. Its what he has done for 2 seasons now. Fullback is the best position for players of his style for sure, no questions about it. They get the ball with 20+ metres between them and the defenders, with a broken line, and can just do their thing. He has absolutely dominated at fullback for a shit team for 2 years, then played a few mediocre games at five eighth and then a few good ones against the 2 worst clubs in the competition. He also stunk it up at five eighth in the under 20s origin.

I seriously cant understand how all of a sudden everyone is sure that five eighth is his best position. It makes no sense.

Oh and also, with the CEO confirming that theyre signing Boyd and announcing within the week most likely, is that enough proof yet that we're signing him? Or is it still just a rumour that is without base and that we should disregard?