Ben Barba has become only the second player to win the top individual honour in both the NRL and the English Super League. The North Queensland-bound fullback followed in the footsteps of fellow former Cronulla star Gavin Miller when he collected the Super League's Man of Steel award in Manchester on Monday night (Tuesday ADST). It caps a remarkable career comeback for Barba who was forced out of the NRL after being sacked by the Sharks following their 2016 grand final win, for a second strike for illicit drug use.
The 29-year-old was voted the English game's best player by his fellow players, beating out St Helens teammate James Roby and Wigan back-rower John Bateman - who will join Canberra in 2019. Former Canterbury, Brisbane and Sharks livewire Barba has been in blistering form before his return to the NRL with the Cowboys next year, topping the Super League try-scoring list for the season with 28. Barba is the sixth Australian to win the Man of Steel and the first since former Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards in 2010. Miller won the Man of Steel with Hull KR in 1986 before earning back-to-back Dally M medals with the Sharks in 1988 and 1989.Barba has been signed to a one-year deal by the Cowboys amid speculation they are trying to sign Valentine Holmes for 2020.
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