BARBA OPTION FOR COWBOYS
CRONULLA legend Michael Ennis says Mackay product Ben Barba could give the struggling Cowboys the Xfactor they sorely need after the Sharks ruled out granting North Queensland target Valentine Holmes an early release from his contract. The Cowboys are keen for Townsville product Holmes to return home to solve their fullback issue.
CRONULLA legend Michael Ennis believes Ben Barba could give the struggling Cowboys the X factor they sorely need after the Sharks ruled out any chance of releasing North Queensland target Valentine Holmes early from his contract.
The Cowboys are keen for Townsville product Holmes to return home to solve their fullback issue, with long- time custodian Lachlan Coote dropped to Queensland Cup and expected to head elsewhere next year.
The Cowboys have lacked speed in the backline this year, and fullback looms as their biggest issue to solve in their quest to rebound from a disappointing season.
Barba left the Sharks for English Super League side St Helens after he was handed a 12- match ban for a second positive test to cocaine after Cronulla’s 2016 grand final win.
The 2012 Dally M medallist, who hails from Mackay, has been in superb form for St Helens and is looking for an NRL club for next season after being granted a release.
Holmes is contracted until the end of next year, and the Sharks have reportedly offered him a rich long- term deal after he scored a league- best 19 tries this year, including seven in his last five games.
After some initial teething problems shifting from wing early this season, the 23- year- old is arguably in career- best form.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has publicly endorsed him as their preferred long- term fullback, and ruled out luring Barba back to the Shire.
Ennis feels it could open the door for Barba to head home to North Queensland.
“I know they’ve pursued Valentine and I understand it – he’s from Townsville and in tremendous form – but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ben Barba ends up there,” Ennis said.
“The teams playing finals this year all have a really good fullback and it’s vital for the Cowboys to get that.
“What they need is someone who turns half chances into points, and that’s what Ben Barba does.
“The seasons I played with Ben, particularly 2016 and 2012 ( when he won the Dally M medal at Canterbury), he was the best fullback I played with.
“Ben’s been out of the NRL for two seasons and has had no dramas over there ( England).
“The side that takes a chance with Benny will be highly improved.
“He’ll really want to grasp his opportunity and finish off his career the way he’s capable of.”
Ennis believes the Sharks’ hopes of keeping Holmes have been enhanced now he’s found his feet at fullback.
“There’s been a turning point in the back end of this season, where I get the sense he’ll more than likely stay at Cronulla,” Ennis said.
“Now he has the stability of holding down the No. 1 jersey and the support of the coach ( Flanagan) publicly that Val’s their fullback.”
Holmes will be one of the key men for the Cowboys to shut down when they face the Sharks in Johnathan Thurston’s final game in Sydney on Saturday night.
But if he decides to head north, Cowboys co- captain Matt Scott said he’d be welcomed with open arms.
“I know he’s got ties to Townsville, he’d be a great acquisition,” Scott said.
“He’s scored a ridiculous amount of tries this year, tackle breaks and line breaks.
“Stopping him’s a big key to us winning.”