This was published 7 years ago
How Ben Barba's new deal with the Sharks could influence the future of Valentine Holmes
By Andrew Webster
Sharks fullback Ben Barba will be allowed to start training with the club only a few weeks before his 12-match suspension for testing positive to cocaine comes to an end.
In a development that could influence the future of winger Valentine Holmes, Cronulla confirmed on Wednesday that their troubled custodian from the grand final victory over Melbourne last October had signed a one-year deal for the remainder of this season.
New deal: Ben Barba has been signed to a one-year deal by the Sharks that will come into play once his drug suspension ends.Credit: Getty Images
Barba recorded a second strike under the NRL's illicit drugs policy when he tested positive to cocaine he reportedly snorted at the club's fan day in the week following their grand final win.
The contract will be lodged with the NRL for approval and registration, but Fairfax Media understands his return to the game is far from complete, with the terms to now be negotiated.
First, the salary he is being paid will have to be of market value. Barba was set to receive about $600,000 this season until his contract was torn up after the positive test. The NRL will expect him to be signed under this contract for about half that amount.
It will forbid Auckland Nines, All Stars and World Club Challenge games being counted as part of his ban.
With the Sharks having a bye in round 13, the earliest he could return would be the round-14 clash against Melbourne in a Thursday night match at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
It is understood League Central will also block Barba from rejoining the club in any capacity until a few weeks before any possible return to the field – something at odds with remarks from Sharks chief executive Lyall Gorman to Fairfax Media on Tuesday.
Asked if Barba would start training as soon as the contract was registered, Gorman said: "Correct. Part of his evolution was that at the right time he integrates back to the professional environment around his teammates and with full-time access to the club. That's part of the evolution. Our view is the hunger and drive is there for Benny to get back to where he's been and even higher, on and off the field."
Barba's signing could have implications for Holmes, who comes off contract at the end of this season and is already garnering interest from other clubs.
Holmes wants to play fullback and his management, Pacific Sports Management, knows he won't earn big dollars unless he moves off the wing. Interestingly, Pacific – which is headed by brothers Gavin and Chris Orr – also manages Barba.
Hailing from Townsville, Holmes has attracted strong interest from the Cowboys as a possible replacement down the line for Lachlan Coote. North Queensland will also lose emerging superstar Kaylan Ponga to the Knights in 2018.
Said Gorman: "Our focus for quite a while has been ensuring Val remains a long-term player at this club and we continue to explore those opportunities with Val and his manager."
It's a tricky situation for the Sharks as they attempt to keep both players, unsure how Barba will return from suspension and knowing that Holmes is a star of the future who is likely to shine in the No.1 jumper in his absence.
Gorman said he was pleased with the progress Barba had made since returning from rehab in Thailand.
No alcohol ban will be placed on Barba, but he can expect additional testing from outside the club, which is often the case when a player has tested positive to any substance. A third strike to illicit substances would probably end his playing career.
"No, we won't be putting any alcohol bans in place," Gorman said. "But there's a very supportive program in place. He's in great spirits. He made a choice that he regrets. We're very confident he'll come back. The part of the whole renewal process was about Benny stepping out of the game. It was a mutual termination. To step out of the fish bowl and pressures and responsibilities and the visibility of the game. We've worked very heavily with him and put a lot of support around him. We were never going to turn out back on him."