Finally comfortable at five-eighth after his blistering All Stars display, ex-Dally M Medal winning fullback Ben Barba is looking forward to taking his place in Cronulla's final NRL trial against Wests Tigers next weekend.
And controversial captain Paul Gallen will be available to join him after escaping any charge by the NRL match review committee on Saturday.
NRL All Stars forward Gallen was placed on report for a high tackle on Indigenous All Stars backrower Kyle Turner in just the fourth minute of Friday night's clash.
It was not a good look in the Test forward's first game back since serving a backdated ban over Cronulla's supplements scandal.
However, an NRL statement on Saturday advised there would be no charges laid from the match, leaving Gallen free to face Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium next Saturday.
A speedier, more streamlined Barba reckoned he had ditched his fullback tag after partnering Johnathan Thurston in the Indigenous side's 20-6 upset win on the Gold Coast.
"The five-eighth role is something I have probably got right in my head now, knowing that I am a five-eighth and won't be switched back to fullback," he said.
"One of my off-season goals was to become a better five-eighth not physically but mentally.
"(But) I did work hard to get my speed back at the Sharks and lose a bit of weight (since leaving the Broncos in off-season).
"I am feeling faster, fresher and enjoying my football which is probably the main thing."
His Indigenous halves partner Thurston could see the difference.
"It looks like he is enjoying his footy again - that's what you need," Thurston said of Barba who spectacularly fell off the rails following his 2012 Dally M Medal win as the Bulldogs No.1.
"Playing at six I thought he did an outstanding job (on Friday night).
"We know how good he is at fullback but he has some real silky skills and is a good talker (at pivot)."
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