Love helps Barba tackle demons

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BEN Barba's father says his son has overcome his battle with gambling and depression and is ready to reward the Broncos with the form that won him the Dally M Medal.

As Barba prepares to launch his Broncos career against his former club tonight, his father Ken opened up about the pressures of life in Sydney that pushed the fullback to breaking point.

This time 12 months ago, Barba dropped a bomb on the NRL by seeking time out on the eve of the season to address personal problems that left him mentally unwell.

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Ken Barba says the NRL fraternity will tonight see a rejuvenated, happier person far removed from the troubled star who wore hoodies in public to escape the spotlight.

The 2012 Dally M winner phoned his parents yesterday and told them of his determination to fire at the Broncos and atone for his year from hell at Belmore.

"Just watching him in Brisbane, I can see he is happier up here. The Ben that I know is back,'' Barba senior told The Courier-Mail.

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"He's a different person to what I saw in Sydney. It is a different life up here. I have been to see Ben a few times since he's moved to Brisbane and he's more relaxed and happy again.

"This year you will see the Benny Barba of 2012. It was an incredible season and I know he can get back to that form. I really think the Broncos will see the best of Ben.''

The Broncos have been acutely aware of Barba's mental health, engaging a professional life-skills coach to counsel their recruit.

Broncos player Ben Barba training at Red Hill. Pic Jono Searle. Source: News Limited

Barba, who will start at fullback tonight, was sharp at Broncos training yesterday and Ken claims his son has left his off-field problems behind in Sydney.

"Sydney was too fast for Ben and he went off the rails,'' Ken said. "The public life became too much.

"He couldn't go out shopping. Bulldogs supporters are very passionate and if he went to dinner, he would have to hide behind a hoodie.

"There was so much hype and it all had to come to a head sooner or later, I could see a few things happening to Ben and he was losing control.

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"Being his father, it was heartbreaking. I saw Ben getting into things and it had to stop. It obviously happened for a reason, but I'm glad he's turned his life around in Brisbane.

"The Brisbane life suits him. It's more relaxed, he can walk around and people say good luck and give him the thumbs up.

"Going back to Sydney will only inspire Ben. He might cop a bit of flak from the Bulldogs supporters but he's not worried about it.''

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Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said Barba had made a seamless transition at Red Hill.

"He is a real team man who has done a lot of hard work since he's been here,'' Griffin said.

"In the end, it will come down to how he plays his footy. Obviously when anyone comes to a new club, he was a bit nervous, but as the months have gone on and he's played a little bit of footy, he's relaxed.

"No doubt he will get a hostile reception (tonight) but once he gets through that he will be fine.''

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