Ben BARBA [
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Fri April 20, 2012
Source: www.bulldogs.com.auThe Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will break new ground in late June when they take their round 16 Telstra Premiership clash with the Melbourne Storm to Virgin Australia Stadium, Mackay.
The match, which is scheduled for 2pm on Sunday 24 June, will be the first time the Bulldogs have played in the central Queensland city, the home town of Bulldog Ben Barba.
The Club has been working with the Stadium, Mackay Regional City Council and Mackay Tourism in recent weeks on arrangements to host the match after discussions with the South Australian Tourism, South Australian Government, South Australian Cricket Association and the Adelaide Oval - which has hosted the fixture since 2010 - broke down.
"As a Club we are very excited to bring this match to Mackay and Virgin Australia Stadium," Bulldogs Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said.
"The Stadium, Council, Rugby League Community and Mackay Tourism were all very keen to bring the Bulldogs and Storm to central Queensland and we're looking forward to getting there
"Since 2010 we have committed to taking two home games away from ANZ Stadium and to Bulldogs fans outside of our traditional heartland and Mackay aligns nicely to that strategy.
"We know that 10 percent of our supporter base lives in Queensland and this match will give those people a bit further north of Brisbane and the south east the opportunity to see the Bulldogs live."
The Storm prevailed over the Bulldogs in the most recent meeting between the two sides, winning 12-6 at Melbourne's AAMI Park in round seven of the 2012 season in a match Storm coach Craig Bellamy said was reminiscent to an end of season game.
Virgin Australia Stadium Chairman Greg Sutherland says the game will be a big focus for the local community.
"This is a major event for the Mackay Region and the Stadium Committee is appreciative of the confidence invested in us by the Bulldogs and the NRL," Mr Sutherland said.
"They are bringing the game to the people and this is Mackay's 150th year of European settlement and will add greatly to our celebrations. The Australian Government can also take credit for the game coming to a regional area as they provided the majority of funding for the new rectangle shaped complex.
"We will work with sporting clubs community groups and charities to ensure there are sufficient outlets for food and drink outlets and we have already looked at additional seating arrangements.
"This game will prove a big buzz for the region."
Barba, who was recruited to the Bulldogs from the North's Devils in Mackay, says playing in front of his home town is a prospect he's relishing.
"I last played a game at home when I was 18, before I moved down to Sydney, so I'm really looking forward to being part of the match against the Storm in June," Barba says.
"I was always keen to see the Bulldogs play a game in Mackay, but I've got to say I was expecting it to be a trial at some point in the future. To be playing a game for competition points makes it extra appealing.
"To say I'm excited is a bit of an understatement, and my family is really looking forward to it as well. My Dad's already been on the phone talking about it.
"Between my family and Dane Nielsen's, who also comes from Mackay, I reckon we'll have no problem filling the Stadium for the game itself. And when you consider that Billy Slater's from a few hours up the road as well, so there's going to be plenty of local flavour to the match."
The Bulldogs have also extended their thanks to the people of Adelaide and South Australia for their hospitality in 2010/11, however Greenberg says barriers to hosting this year's match back at Adelaide Oval proved insurmountable.
"Despite our repeated attempts over the past two years to make South Australia a destination point for the Bulldogs & Rugby League, unfortunately we were unable to agree to terms for 2012 and beyond," Greenberg added.
"The Bulldogs Football Club conveys its thanks to the many staff at the SACA who provided wonderful assistance to our Club over the last few years in showcasing rugby league to the people of Adelaide.
"The Bulldogs would also like to thank the tens of thousands of people in Adelaide and the broader region is South Australia who attended our games and supported our Club over the last few years.
"Finally, we'd also like to thank the management team of the Australian Rugby League Commission and Fox Sports for everything they have done to make this game a reality at such short notice. The flexibility and support they have given the move is greatly appreciated."
Mon April 2, 2012
Source: www.bulldogs.com.auCanterbury-Bankstown have won their fourth game from five starts this season, outlasting the Gold Coast 30-20 in a match that was grinding and exhilarating in equal measure at Skilled Park.
The Bulldogs started slowly and trailed 10-nil and 14-6 at stages throughout the first half, however when they clicked they showed glimpses of individual brilliance interspersed by team play that had many of those in the 14,000 strong crowd on their feet.
Individually, Ben Barba scored one try and set up length of the field screamer for Josh Morris however it was his defence that drew most acclaim, the diminutive fullback holding up Nate Myles and Luke Bailey over the line in arguably his most complete performance to date this season.
It was the Bailey tackle - late in the piece with the Bulldogs holding a ten point buffer - that earned the most praise, with the former representative prop steaming onto a Luke O'Dwyer grubber kick before somehow being held up by the much smaller Barba.
The resulting no try ruling took the wind out of the Titans sails and allowed the Bulldogs to close out a gritty win.
"It was a strange kind of game," Bulldogs head coach Des Hasler said post match. "They got away to a flyer, they came out pretty fired up. They've had a pretty tough couple of weeks the Titans.
"Our side showed some real commitment, to hang in there and to claw their way back into the game. That's what this Bulldogs side so far has shown a willingness to do, they're very good like that. They're learning and they're trying to graft out games, we're a young side and we're still in that learning curve.
"While we can keep winning games and keep learning at the same time, it puts us in good stead going forward. But we've got to be realistic, we have got to improve in some areas. We know that and we're working on addressing those areas with the ball.
"But we'll gladly take the two points."
On the subject of Barba, Hasler said while he can score and set up tries, it was his defence that shone through today.
"That's a part of his game that he's really worked hard on and continues to work hard on," Hasler said. "That's probably one area of his game that he needed to address and to come up with two try saves today was a great reward for him."
The Titans struck first, tipping back a Scott Prince bomb into the waiting arms of Greg Bird who raced away to score in the corner for a four-nil lead after five minutes.
Four turned into ten on the quarter hour when Brenton Lawrence capitalised on a dropped ball out of dummy half from Michael Ennis, scooping it up and running 50 metres to score.
Down 10-nil it took the Dogs nearly 25 minutes to kick into gear, but when they did it was instantly effective, with Kris Keating and Frank Pritchard combining to send Barba in to score under the posts and all of a sudden the Dogs were in the contest at 10-6.
But they were right back on the rack from the re-start, which caught everyone by surprise by ricocheting off the uprights ? the first of two such occurrences for the half ? and back into the Titans possession.
By the end of the set the home side had scored their third try, with Scott Prince firing a bullet like 20 metre pass for Kevin Gordon to score in the corner.
The Dogs fought back to trail by two on the run into half time thanks to a brilliant team try finished off by five eighth Josh Reynolds, who was brought down but not held by Bailey after hitting a gap off a Corey Payne flick pass.
With referee Gavin Badger calling play on after Bailey's attempted tackle, Reynolds sprung to his feet and sprinted 10 metres to score, edging the Bulldogs closer at 14-12.
Then Barba turned on the magic to give Josh Morris his fifth try of the year and the Bulldogs the half time lead at the end of a 105 metre movement that started deep in their own in goal.
Fielding the ball off a Prince grubber and with two defenders in front of him, Barba somehow made it back into the field of play before spotting a gap down the eastern touchline. With only Titans fullback William Zillman in front of him, Barba drew his man before passing to Morris who touched down wide out.
Steve Turner made it three from three for the half with the boot to send the Bulldogs into the shed an unlikely 18-14 leader.
A Bulldogs lapse in defence gave the Titans the easiest of tries to return to the lead after half time, Myles crashing over on a fifth tackle hit up to make it 20-18 the home side's way after 49 minutes.
But the Bulldogs wouldn't be down for long, Pritchard carrying both Prince and Zillman over the line for a four pointer soon after.
The Bulldogs kept coming and looked to have sealed it 15 minutes from time when Turner dived over and then converted from the sideline to put the Bulldogs 10 points clear at 30-20.
However the last twist and turn was to come, with Barba's heroics on Bailey a fitting way to close out the match for the four and one Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs face a shirt turnaround into Friday's round six away encounter against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30: Ben Barba, Josh Reynolds, Josh Morris, Frank Pritchard, Steve Turner tries; Steve Turner 5 goals from 5 attempts
Gold Coast Titans 20: Greg Bird, Brenton Lawrence, Kevin Gordon, Nate Myles tries; Scott Prince 2 goals from 4 attempts
At Skilled Park
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 2012 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
11 games; 8 tries, 32 points.
[View] Round 1 [03 Mar 12] W 22-14 v Penrith (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 2 [10 Mar 12] W 30-4 v Dragons (H). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [18 Mar 12] W 32-18 v Warriors (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 4 [25 Mar 12] L 6-20 v Newcastle (H). [FB]
[View] Round 5 [01 Apr 12] W 30-20 v Gold Coast (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 6 [06 Apr 12] L 10-20 v Souths (A). [FB]
[View] Round 7 [14 Apr 12] L 6-12 v Melbourne (A). [FB]
[View] Round 8 [27 Apr 12] L 10-12 v Manly (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 9 [04 May 12] W 46-12 v Parramatta (A). [FB]
[View] Round 10 [11 May 12] L 14-25 v Gold Coast (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 11 [21 May 12] W 26-6 v Cronulla (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
======================================================================================================
2011 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
24 games; 23 tries, 92 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 11] W 24-14 v Wests Tigers (H). [FB]
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 11] W 28-19 v Rabbitohs (A). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [27 Mar 11] W 24-20 v Roosters (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 4 [04 Apr 11] L 16-30 v Storm (A). [FB]
[View] Round 5 [10 Apr 11] L 6-25 v Dragons (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 6 [15 Apr 11] W 34-14 v Eels (A). [FB] 12 Pts; 3t
[View] Round 7 [23 Apr 11] W 36-24 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 8 [29 Apr 11] L 12-20 v Broncos (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 10 [13 May 11] L 10-15 v Dragons (H). [FB]
[View] Round 11 [20 May 11] L 12-20 v Canberra (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 12 [27 May 11] W 28-6 v Titans (H). [FB]
[View] Round 13 [04 Jun 11] L 4-38 v Sea Eagles (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 15 [19 Jun 11] L 10-26 v Cronulla (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 16 [24 Jun 11] W 16-6 v Wests Tigers (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 17 [02 Jul 11] L 6-20 v Panthers (A). [FB]
[View] Round 18 [09 Jul 11] L 18-28 v Storm (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 19 [15 Jul 11] L 12-36 v Warriors (A). [FB]
[View] Round 20 [22 Jul 11] W 8-7 v Eels (H). [FB]
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 11] L 28-32 v Roosters (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 11] W 14-6 v Cowboys (H). [FB]
[View] Round 23 [15 Aug 11] W 19-12 v Cronulla (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 24 [21 Aug 11] L 16-27 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 25 [27 Aug 11] W 32-22 v Knights (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 11] W 36-22 v Canberra (H). [FB] 16 Pts; 4t
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2010 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
21 games; 15 tries, 60 points.
[View] Round 1 [13 Mar 10] L 16-20 v Knights (H). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 10] L 6-26 v Dragons (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 3 [28 Mar 10] W 60-14 v Roosters (H). [BE] 12 Pts; 3t
[View] Round 4 [05 Apr 10] L 16-38 v Rabbitohs (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [10 Apr 10] L 24-30 v Warriors (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 6 [16 Apr 10] W 24-4 v Tigers (A). [BE]
[View] Round 7 [23 Apr 10] W 36-18 v Broncos (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t (48)
[View] Round 8 [30 Apr 10] L 10-26 v Eels (A). [BE]
[View] Round 10 [14 May 10] L 6-19 v Dragons (H). [BE]
[View] Round 11 [24 May 10] L 16-31 v Panthers (A). [HB]
[View] Round 15 [18 Jun 10] L 24-25 v Titans (H). [BE] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 16 [28 Jun 10] W 18-10 v Raiders (A). [F8] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 17 [03 Jul 10] W 24-12 v Sharks (A). [F8] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 18 [10 Jul 10] W 20-18 v Storm (H). [F8]
[View] Round 19 [18 Jul 10] L 32-36 v Roosters (A). [F8]
[View] Round 20 [23 Jul 10] L 16-32 v Eels (H). [F8] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 10] W 32-12 v Rabbitohs (H). [F8]
[View] Round 22 [08 Aug 10] L 6-30 v Knights (A). [F8] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 24 [21 Aug 10] W 22-20 v Cowboys (A). [BE]
[View] Round 25 [30 Aug 10] L 18-24 v Panthers (H). [CT]
[View] Round 26 [05 Sep 10] W 30-24 v Sea Eagles (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
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2009 NYC Toyota Cup
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
6 games; 10 tries, 23/33 goals, 86 points.
[View] Round 5 [13 Apr 09] W 54-18 v Rabbitohs (H). [HB] 18 Pts; 1t, 7/10g
[View] Round 6 [19 Apr 09] W 30-28 v Eels (A). [HB] 18 Pts; 2t, 5/5g
[View] Round 7 [26 Apr 09] W 52-36 v Raiders (A). [HB] 24 Pts; 3t, 6/10g
[View] Round 14 [12 Jun 09] L 16-40 v Broncos (A). [F8] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 19 [18 Jul 09] L 16-28 v Titans (H). [BE] 8 Pts; 1t, 2/3g
[View] Round 23 [14 Aug 09] L 26-40 v Cowboys (A). [HB] 10 Pts; 1t, 3/5g
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2009 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
4 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 09] W 34-12 v Sea Eagles (H). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [21 Mar 09] W 28-26 v Panthers (A). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [27 Mar 09] L 12-20 v Titans (A). [F8]
[View] Round 18 [12 Jul 09] W 18-14 v Warriors (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
======================================================================================================
2008 NYC Toyota Cup
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
20 games; 28 tries, 70/108 goals, 2 field goals, 254 points.
[View] Round 1 [15 Mar 08] L 24-30 v Eels (A). [F8] 12 Pts; 2t, 2/5g
[View] Round 2 [21 Mar 08] W 26-24 v Rabbitohs (A). [F8] 14 Pts; 2t, 3/5g
[View] Round 3 [30 Mar 08] W 27-20 v Tigers (H). [F8] 11 Pts; 1t, 3/4g, 1fg
[View] Round 4 [04 Apr 08] W 38-10 v Roosters (H). [F8] 10 Pts; 1t, 3/7g
[View] Round 5 [13 Apr 08] D 26-26 v Warriors (A). [F8] 6 Pts; 3/5g
[View] Round 6 [19 Apr 08] L 22-32 v Dragons (H). [HB] 10 Pts; 1t, 3/4g
[View] Round 7 [26 Apr 08] L 18-22 v Sea Eagles (A). [HB] 14 Pts; 2t, 3/3g
[View] Round 9 [10 May 08] W 20-18 v Panthers (H). [FB] 12 Pts; 2t, 2/4g
[View] Round 10 [16 May 08] D 28-28 v Gold Coast (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 4/5g
[View] Round 11 [26 May 08] W 60-16 v Sharks (H). [HB] 20 Pts; 1t, 8/11g
[View] Round 12 [31 May 08] L 16-30 v Storm (A). [HB] 4 Pts; 2/3g
[View] Round 13 [07 Jun 08] W 42-16 v Knights (H). [HB] 18 Pts; 3t, 3/9g
[View] Round 15 [21 Jun 08] W 32-18 v Raiders (H). [F8] 24 Pts; 4t, 4/6g
[View] Round 16 [27 Jun 08] W 56-26 v Roosters (A). [F8] 24 Pts; 2t, 8/10g
[View] Round 17 [07 Jul 08] D 29-29 v Rabbitohs (H). [F8] 16 Pts; 2t, 4/5g
[View] Round 18 [13 Jul 08] W 33-16 v Broncos (A). [F8] 17 Pts; 2t, 4/6g, 1fg
[View] Round 19 [19 Jul 08] L 38-43 v Warriors (H). [F8] 18 Pts; 2t, 5/7g
[View] Round 24 [23 Aug 08] L 20-24 v Eels (H). [F8] 8 Pts; 1t, 2/4g
[View] Round 25 [31 Aug 08] L 12-40 v Broncos (H). [F8] 2 Pts; 1/1g
[View] Finals Week 1 [12 Sep 08] L 22-28 v Broncos. [F8] 6 Pts; 3/4g
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2008 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
4 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 20 [28 Jul 08] L 0-30 v Dragons (A). [BE]
[View] Round 21 [03 Aug 08] L 4-56 v Tigers (A). [BE]
[View] Round 22 [09 Aug 08] L 12-36 v Cowboys (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [16 Aug 08] L 16-52 v Panthers (A). [FB]
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Barba, Ben
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