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Bulldogs Ben Barba makes a break to score a try. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited
BEN Barba is facing a potential showdown with Canterbury management with family ties set to deliver the Bulldogs ace to the Broncos next season.
The Courier-Mail understands Barba has privately told teammates he will not be at Belmore in 2014 as Ainslie Currie, the mother of their two young children, steps up plans to move north.
Currie has spent recent weeks looking at real estate in Brisbane, underlining her desire to reunite with family as she undergoes counselling with Barba to repair their relationship.
Three weeks ago, Barba told The Courier-Mail he would follow his heart and return to Brisbane if Currie went ahead with plans to relocate daughters Bronte and Bodhi.
The family's impending move now opens the door for the Broncos, although Barba's arrival at Red Hill is contingent upon Canterbury officialdom formally rescinding a deal which expires at the end of 2015.
The Bulldogs could play hardball and demand Barba honour his contract, but would also need to consider the effect on the 24-year-old if he is unable to live near his children, given his off-field troubles in February.
Barba could not guarantee he would finish his career at the Bulldogs when pressed on his commitment by Canterbury fans in a News Limited online blog Wednesday night.
"That is a tough one because I said I want to finish my career off somewhere in Queensland. I think it would be quite difficult with the salary cap these days," he said.
"I am still contracted to the Dogs for two years ... it all depends on my ex-partner and two little girls and where they want to be and where they feel comfortable.
"It is a tough decision and if my family decided to relocate it would be hard for me to stay here.
"If anything a decision would be made at the end of the year, but at the moment my focus is getting the Dogs into another finals series."
Re-live Ben Barba's interview in the NRL360 chat by clicking here!
It is understood if Barba seeks and is granted a release by the Bulldogs, his club-of-choice is the Broncos.
Aiding Brisbane's bargaining power is the comforting presence of Broncos boss Paul White, who has strong connections with the Barba family.
Barba's manager Gavin Orr said he had not held formal talks with the Broncos, but confirmed the Queensland Origin hopeful would put family first.
"Ainslie is certainly looking at property now," he said.
"Whether she moves now or in the next few months I don't know. Ben has eight or so games to go and she is trying not to put anymore pressure on him at this point in time.
"They are having counselling and she has expressed she wants to move (to Brisbane).
"We're not dealing with a single person here, we are dealing with a family unit.
"If his kids are up in Brisbane, it will be hard on Ben and the travelling (from Sydney) to see them could make it hard for him to concentrate at the Bulldogs.
"We need to have a plan. If Ainslie moves, then we have to be honest with Canterbury and let them know what Ben is feeling."
Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said Wednesday night: "He's got a two-year deal with Canterbury, but if he becomes available we would be interested.
"I'm hearing a lot of the same things but at this stage we have no control over it."
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