Ben Barba

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Ben Barba (born 13 June 1989) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a fullback and five-eighth. He is best known for his time with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL), where he won the Dally M Medal in 2012.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Barba was born in Darwin, Northern Territory, and is of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander descent. He moved to Mackay, Queensland, at a young age and attended St Patrick's College.

Rugby League Career[edit | edit source]

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs[edit | edit source]

Barba made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2008. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, known for his speed, agility, and try-scoring ability. In 2012, Barba had a standout season, winning the Dally M Medal as the NRL's best and fairest player. He also helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2012 NRL Grand Final, although they were defeated by the Melbourne Storm.

Brisbane Broncos[edit | edit source]

In 2014, Barba joined the Brisbane Broncos. His time at the Broncos was less successful, and he struggled to replicate his form from his Bulldogs days.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks[edit | edit source]

Barba signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2015. He played a crucial role in the Sharks' 2016 season, culminating in their victory in the 2016 NRL Grand Final, which was the club's first-ever premiership.

St Helens R.F.C.[edit | edit source]

In 2017, Barba moved to the Super League to play for St Helens R.F.C.. He had a successful stint in the Super League, earning accolades for his performances.

North Queensland Cowboys[edit | edit source]

Barba returned to the NRL in 2019, signing with the North Queensland Cowboys. However, he was released by the club before the season started due to off-field issues.

Off-Field Issues[edit | edit source]

Barba's career has been marred by several off-field incidents, including allegations of domestic violence and breaches of the NRL's code of conduct. These issues have led to multiple suspensions and ultimately his exit from professional rugby league.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Barba is married with children. He has often spoken about the challenges of balancing his professional career with his personal life.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Despite his off-field controversies, Barba is remembered as one of the most talented players of his generation. His 2012 season with the Bulldogs remains one of the most outstanding individual seasons in NRL history.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD