Barba vows to leave St Helens with a bang

An emotional Ben Barba has vowed to leave St Helens on a high by helping the club win the Super League grand final later next month.

Barba will end his 18-month stint with the Saints to return home to North Queensland next season following an outstanding season for the club.

The former Canterbury and Cronulla fullback is red-hot favourite to win the Super League's Man of Steel award with 26 tries to his name in what's been described as one of the best campaigns by any player in the competition's history.

Saints will play Warrington in the preliminary final on October 4 with victory in that game setting up clash against Wigan or Castleford in the grand final.

Barba is desperate to repay St Helens, who showed faith in him following his ban by the NRL for testing positive to cocaine in 2016 before jetting back to Australia with his young family.

An undisclosed transfer fee has been agreed with the Cowboys for the final year of Barba's contract and he said he'll leave the club with nothing but fond memories.

"Playing in England and St Helens in particular has been a wonderful experience for myself and my family," said Barba.

"I want to finish the season off playing my best football for the club and fans and hopefully capping off a successful season."

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has always claimed Barba would see out the final year of his deal, but said he couldn't stand in his way after such a stand-out season.

"It's sad to see Benny depart ... but we have respected his wishes and have obtained an acceptable transfer fee.

"Benny made a hugely positive impact upon his arrival at St Helens and both the club and the Super League competition have each benefited accordingly.

"It's now his intention to finish the season as he started it."

St Helens are set to announce Lachlan Coote will swap teams with Barba with the former Penrith fullback to move to the club from the Cowboys next year.