Barba thanks Hasler, Greenberg for help

[TITAN PETE]

By Steve Jancetic
AAP
Wed 28th August, 8:31pm


Ben Barba has thanked the roles coach Des Hasler and former chief executive Todd Greenberg played in getting his career back on track
Departing Canterbury star Ben Barba has credited Des Hasler and Todd Greenberg for saving his NRL career and his life.

On the day it was announced the reigning Dally M medal winner had been granted a release by the Bulldogs to join Brisbane in 2014, Barba thanked the role of coach Hasler and former chief executive Greenberg in getting his career back on track.

Barba was stood down for the opening three games of the season to deal with a series of personal issues, the club taking a strong stand despite the impact it would have on the team's performance.

The Bulldogs, like Barba, have struggled to find their best form in 2013, the season taking a back seat to the brilliant fullback's personal struggles.

"These guys not only saved my footy career but my life," Barba said in a interview for the Bulldogs website.

"When I was struggling there at the start of the year these two stuck beside me and kept me at this club and helped me get my feet back on the ground.

"I can't be thankful enough for what they've done."

Barba also thanked new chief executive Raelene Castle for her role in organising his release to the Broncos.

The 24-year-old is heading north to be closer to his family, who are relocating in Brisbane after Barba and partner Ainslie Currie split.

"They're the reason why I do this, it's to be able to support them and give them everything they want," Barba said of his two children.

"I said from the start it would be very difficult for me to stay down in Sydney and continue to play my football knowing that they're up there.

"I'm very thankful to the club and everyone involved for understanding that and allowing me to be closer to them."

[TITAN PETE]

Barba move not about money: Bulldogs
By Steve Jancetic and Laine Clark
AAP
Wed 28th August, 8:44pm


The Canterbury Bulldogs have released Ben Barba from his contract.
Canterbury boss Raelene Castle claims the fact Ben Barba will be paid the same amount by Brisbane as he would have by the Bulldogs proves the superstar's release was not financially motivated.

The Broncos on Wednesday announced they had secured the Dally M medal winner on a three-year deal starting in 2014, Brisbane agreeing to an undisclosed compensation figure with the Bulldogs for freeing him from the final two years of his contract.

Barba went to the Bulldogs earlier this month requesting a release on compassionate grounds, claiming he wanted to be closer to his family - with his former partner Ainslie Currie set to move north with the couple's two children.

Speculation quickly emerged that Barba's real desire to get out of the Bulldogs was to take up a lucrative deal with a Brisbane side desperate for talent, a claim Castle denied.

"No, it's genuinely family reasons," Castle said.

"They've taken the two-year contract as is across, so it's not about financial with him.

"It's been a tough decision for the club to release him, it's been a difficult decision for Ben to make the decision to go.

"Ultimately when you've got a player that comes to you and says to you `this is a family situation and I think I'm going to be a better player and a better person when I'm closer to my family', that's a really hard thing to say no to."

The third-year of Barba's deal with the Broncos has been negotiated separately, with Castle adding that no restrictions had been placed on Barba playing against the Bulldogs.

Neither club would speculate on the compensation being paid to the Bulldogs.

Broncos chief executive Paul White said the deal had been thrashed out over the past four weeks and involved a "reasonable but certainly not excessive" compensation.

"These negotiations have not been based on financial considerations," White said.

"What has played a heavy role is Ben's commitment to his family and a desire to return to Queensland.

"We have struck a compensation deal with the Bulldogs and the terms and conditions are ... reasonable but certainly not excessive.

"We understand the investments the Bulldogs have made in Ben both on and off the field part in the last 12 months and we have taken that into consideration."

White said Barba did not have any behavioural clauses added to his contract despite his off-field troubles at the Bulldogs.

Barba was stood down by the club for the opening three rounds of the season as he sought professional help to deal with a series of personal issues.

"Ben Barba is ill and he needs help," then chief executive Todd Greenberg said in February.

Barba is attempting to reconcile his relationship with Currie, but has struggled to reach the heights which saw him named the best player in the game last year.

White said Barba would need to fit in with the culture at the Broncos.

"Ben will understand from the get-go what those expectations are," he said.

"I am looking forward to what he can offer not just the team but also the community up here.

"He is a proud indigenous man and I think he can become a great role model for his people."