Even Ben Barba doubts if he can regain his magical form of 2012 but Cronulla's new recruit believes he is better placed than ever to produce exciting football because the Sharks have shown him "some love".
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Barba's confidence took a dramatic hit last season when he could not live up to the hype surrounding his high-profile switch to the Broncos. He lasted just one year at Brisbane before being shown the door by incoming coach Wayne Bennett.
Barba said his belief was so shot that at times he resented going to training.
"I'm not lying," Barba said. "Other players feel like that some time and there were times I did. I love this job, though, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
"It was tough with myself playing not as well as I should've and the team not going well. I was disappointed because I thought I would be home in Queensland for three years. But that's footy, and you can't have everything your way.
"People don't realise the mental side of rugby league. When your confidence is down it's very hard to put out a good performance. That's something I really need to work on. When I do it'll be easier for me to focus and concentrate on my job."
An indifferent 2014 resulted in his switching between fullback and five-eighth for the Broncos. While Barba has doubts if he can reproduce his scintillating 2012 form, he said he had not felt as comfortable in a team since helping lead the Bulldogs to a grand final appearance in his breakthrough year.
"I always think that," Barba said. "It's hard to say it because that year was really really good. To do something like that again would be pretty special. I don't have to be the star in this side. It's not just about me now, it's about the team. I need to get my smile back and the happier I am the performances will get better.
"I have found a new home here and they made me feel welcomed. That's what I might have needed – a bit of love. I thought at the start [moving here] it would've been tough. People at this club, Shane [Flanagan] and the board have made me feel really welcomed."
Barba's arrival in the Sutherland Shire coincided with Todd Carney's controversial exit.
He will fill Carney's No.6 jersey but will play a different role to the former NSW five-eighth. Coach Flanagan plans to revamp Cronulla's attack in a bid to inject Barba, using the former Dally M medallist as a roving player with back-row players such as Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and Anthony Tupou expected to increase their ball-playing roles.
Barba will combine with veteran half Jeff Robson in the halves.
"We have our little chats – it's a bit weird and we can't find much to talk about but he is a great bloke," Barba laughed. "I'm sure in the next few months and come round one we'll get closer and try and build a relationship.
"I'm not going to be a traditional five-eighth. Robbo will lead the team around and I will chime in and follow the big guys."
Barba, who mulled a switch to rugby union before linking with the Sharks, is living with teammate Matt Prior in Cronulla while he searches for a property to bring his partner, Ainslie, and their three young girls to Sydney.
He said a positive mindframe was a key.
"One thing I learnt from 2012 at the Bulldogs was to be as positive as possible," Barba said. "There's always going to be times when you think negative and starting doubting yourself. It's how you rebound off that and get rid of the negative BS that's in the back of your mind."
