I’d originally set out to detail the highlights of a very exciting NRL season but considering the bulk of highlights contained the freakish work of Ben Barba and Nathan Hindmarsh‘s bum has already received it’s pants share of press, a Barba homage seemed most appropriate. And while we often get bombarded with ‘feel good stories of the year’, Barba’s rise has been particularly enjoyable as critics had previously (and probably unfairly) derided the prodigious talent for not maturing fast enough. Under the tutelage of Des Hasler, he has not only matured into a regular first grader but into an elite superstar. White-hot form of this standard hasn’t been since since Jarryd Hayne‘s dream run in 2009 but even that purple patch only began half way through the season; Barba’s form has been consistent all year long.
The Dally M has got to be the safest bet in town. If I had a house I’d bet on it. I’d bet my rusty 10-speed on it. Hell, if all I had was tattered pair of shorts to maintain my modesty then I’d bet them too because he can’t lose! If he was born in NSW, well not even born, but had some tenuous link like a Sydney based grandparent or distant cousin who once crossed the border to play two-up at Twin Towns, then he would have been first picked for State Of Origin. If they could snag James ‘it’s called a chully bun bro’ Tamou then there must be some mighty stones left unturned in relation to a possible Barba defection.
Finishing the season equal leading try scorer with the Cowboy’s Ashley Graham with 21 tries does not quiet do justice to the manner in which he score’s many of his 4-pointers. And it’s not just scoring them, as with examples above and below, both freakish 100+ meter efforts where Barba has created try scoring opportunities where most other players would’ve have been happy to flop on the ball and cop the drop out.
As with the Billy Slater‘s, Benji Marshall‘s, and Jarryd Hayne’s, many of their most dazzling moments are deemed so dazzling because they are fraught with risk but the element that points to Barba’s improved maturity the most, is his safeness and reliability. He’s is as safe as a house under the highball and his defense has saved as many tries as he’s scored. If not a premiership, then at least an Australian call up will be in order come the end of the month.
For more Barba brilliance check out here , here , and “here
Picture by Getty Images
