Humble Barba to atone with cool head in heat of battle - Sydney Morning Herald

Look who's back at Belmore: Ben Barba. Photo: Peter Rae

Bulldogs prop Tim Browne, the player involved in a heated altercation with Ben Barba at training over the summer, insists there is no bad blood between the pair and has welcomed the fullback's return.

Browne and Barba almost came to blows in the pre-season during an opposed session at Belmore Sportsground. Barba, who has a reputation for being a hot-head on the football field, has since made significant steps to change his life after revelations he has a drinking and gambling problem.

Browne says he is excited about potentially running out on to ANZ Stadium alongside the Queenslander on Good Friday. ''It was just a heated pre-season opposed session,'' Browne said. ''Every club probably goes through it and being a competitive sort of group it's bound to happen from time to time.

Thumbs up: Ben Barba has been named to make his return for the Bulldogs on Friday night. Photo: Peter Rae

''There's no bad blood between myself and Benny and I can't wait until he gets back and I play alongside of him, that's for sure.''

At the time of the quarrel, Browne said he had no inkling Barba's health was deteriorating. ''Personally, myself, I didn't know,'' Browne said. ''It was just one of those fitness sessions that maybe got a little bit out of hand. After the game we shook hands and had a laugh about it. That's for sure. It was nothing personal at all. It will be excellent to have him back on board when he's healthy and fit and ready to go.''

Captain Michael Ennis reiterated the club's backing of Barba when he addressed the fullback in front of his teammates upon his return to training a fortnight ago.

''He's training very well on the field and he has that real humbleness about him right now getting around training,'' Ennis said. ''I said last year publicly that I thought he handled the hype extremely well. He continued to work hard on his game and never got ahead of himself. He's back doing that at training. He's there after the session doing his extras and just trying to do what he does best and what he needs to improve on.

''Through life you learn from different experiences and there's no doubt that was a major experience he's faced in his life. He's certainly come back here with a real focus … and a real hunger to want to follow the steps the rehabilitation have put in place for him over a longer period of time.'' Barba has been named at fullback for the clash against the Rabbitohs, with Frank Pritchard poised to play his first game of the year, named on an extended bench.