BEN Barba has opened up on his disappointing one-year stint in Brisbane, slamming the Broncos for failing to back him and believe in his ability.

Barba has since settled at the Sharks under the coaching of Shane Flanagan, but admitted his time at Red Hill was plagued by a lack of support from the coaching staff.

This certainly hasn’t been the case at Cronulla, with the former Dally M medallist crediting the encouragement of Flanagan as the major reason why he decided to link with the club on a three-year deal.

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“That’s something that I probably needed a bit more last year, was someone to show some confidence in me and have my back and believe in my ability,” Barba told the Daily Telegraph.

“But Flanno has done that for me and he was probably half the reason why I came to the Sharks.

“He told me that he needed me and believed in my ability and that was something that definitely got me going.

“At first coming to the Sharks was at zero per cent, but after meeting with him I definitely changed my mind about the club.

“It was just how approachable Flanno was, how he spoke and his vision for the club.

“I guess when I first met him he just made me feel comfortable and wanted and it changed my mind pretty quick.

“Now I’m here I’m excited and looking forward to working under Flanno for a couple of years.”

Barba played 25 games for Brisbane last season, but struggled to consistently deliver his best form.

He said he felt burdened at the Broncos by being forced to add extra weight.

media_camera Ben Barba gets his breath back.

It’s also understood Barba was asked to train on his injured ankle prior to Christmas in 2013 when he was supposed to be resting.

Insiders say this ‘ruined’ Barba and he was never able to recapture his brilliant best.

“Griffin didn’t mind players being the heavier the better,” he said.

“The weight I was putting on was way too fast and it was quite tough playing fullback.

media_camera Former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.

“But my weight was one of the first things we talked about when I got down here to Cronulla.

“It’s something that I struggled with a bit last year and I put on a fair bit of weight in Brisbane and I couldn’t seem to lose it.

“That really took away that quickness that I used to have, but I’ve been working hard while also watching my diet to try and get that speed back.

“I’m confident I can have a successful season at the Sharks and get back to enjoying my football again.”

Originally published as Broncos let me down, says bitter Barba