He's lit up the NRL this year like few before him, but Ben Barba may never have exploded at fullback had Bulldogs coach Des Hasler succeeded in luring Canberra star Josh Dugan to Belmore.The Bulldogs were one of the Raiders' biggest rivals in their quest to retain Dugan, who in March re-signed for another two years on a deal worth around $1.3 million.
It allowed Barba to retain the Bulldogs No.1 jersey and saw him develop into one of the NRL's elite players, considered a certainty to win this year's Dally M Medal.
Whether Barba will use Canterbury's pursuit of Dugan as motivation in Friday's blockbuster at Canberra Stadium, only the man himself knows.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/barbas-rise-built-on-dogs-failed-bid-for-dugan-20120820-24iya.html#ixzz248uQoNhQ
Topic: Barba's rise built on Dogs' failed bid for Dugan
