Eels Blogs

Ben Barba

Posted by Iggy Iggz on October 15, 2014 at 8:31pm

I don't think Hoppa is a NRL quality fullback.Who better to replace a Dally M medallist with than with a Dally M medallist. He isn't wanted at the Broncos and Titans don't seem interested. He would I come fairly cheaply around $350 000 max. He didn't have the best season but Brisbanes game is based around their mobile forward pack and not as much around livewire backs. Ben Barba has the ability to play in the halves, the speed, the elusiveness, the vision and the talent to replace Jarryd Hayne to the extent you can. Losing Jarryd doesn't have to be all negative, he was about to become the highest paid player and maybe the rest of the team will learn you can't rely on one player. Barba is solid in defence at the back. Although inconsistent, I don't think that would be an issue, this year Sandow and Hayne both played their most consistent seasons ever and I'm sure Barba could do the same.

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Replies

jjeel October 15, 2014 at 8:53pm

Really? Not an NRL quality fullback. You must not have watched him in 2011
shane October 15, 2014 at 9:00pm

No to Barba. He is only good in broken play and shit in defence. I would rather play Hoppa at the back and try for a quality centre and a big forward. Out of all the opition Izzy is the best solution than Stewart or Hoppa at fullback than Hoffman with a top prop for the same coin as Hayne. No way to Barber not an option.
Prof. Daz October 15, 2014 at 9:04pm

Not necessarily a bad suggestions. Hayne kind of left us in the lurch, too late to pursue off contract players or players for release etc. The suggestions has merit in the sense the Eels need to recruit, not to replace Hayne (can't happen), but to compensate for halves that either don't organize enough (Sandow) or organize but don't threaten the line and drag defenders in (Norman). Assuming we keep those halves, Barba is one player who would not require Norman to drag the defender in. Recall Barbara excelled when the Dogs' halves played straight and a forward ran decoy to allow Barba's pace to create the overlap.

Without Hayne, we need to think outside the box. We first need players who don't need their half to directly create space for them, because that ain't the strength of our halves.

Not that I am advocating recruit Barba directly. Just that we need to think through the kinds of additions that will suit the halves we have.
slip October 15, 2014 at 9:05pm

One hit wonder. I don't want him anywhere near Parra.
Mac5733 October 15, 2014 at 9:25pm

Fullbacks need to tackle.
This bloke is terrible defensively
Parranormal October 15, 2014 at 9:33pm

I would rather Hoppa than Barba any day of the week.

I would rather Hoffman to be honest.
DS Stanlee October 16, 2014 at 12:23am

Shocking defender though