NRL: Roberts bites back with true Bulldog spirit

Ben Roberts. Photo / Getty Images

In many ways, Ben Roberts is the embodiment of the extraordinary turnaround at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Too often making headlines for his errant ways away from the game, usually fuelled by alcohol, the 24-year-old says he has "matured".

He needed to. Roberts was close to having his Bulldogs contract terminated.

The club pointed to his disqualification from driving for three months after failing a breath alcohol test (a conviction was later quashed); the charges laid against him for assaulting police after a Wollongong street brawl; the A$5000 fine they imposed on him after a fight in Cronulla; and reports of him trying to punch Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah in a King's Cross nightclub.

Roberts doesn't like talking about those incidents but he knew something needed to change. He's unquestionably cleaned up his act and it has been reflected in a breakthrough season on the pitch.

His form has been arresting in a Bulldogs side which has gone from wooden spooners to be second favourites behind the Storm for the title.

Really, they were unlucky not to win the minor premiership considering the two points they were docked for momentarily fielding 14 players against the Panthers in round two and the video referee's decision which cost them the game against the Dragons in round 10.

"Obviously we have had a big turnaround this year," Roberts says. "Not only the team but the club as well. The club is trying to be a family club again, like the old days. I have taken that on board and I feel like I have matured."

Getting off the drink was a good start. His charge sheet was enough evidence but others were telling him he turned into a troublesome, objectionable character when he drank.

It didn't help that drinking, and trouble, was cancerous throughout the club with the likes of Willie Mason, Sonny Bill Williams and Reni Maitua all on the books. Trouble was a constant companion.

New coach Kevin Moore, though, was prepared to give Roberts one last chance. Moore was making considerable changes, not least of all a quiver full of new players in Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Greg Eastwood, David Stagg, Josh Morris and classy veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley.

"I haven't touched a drop since New Year's Eve and I'm going to keep doing it for as long as I want to," Roberts says. "It was something I had been thinking about doing for a while. The incidences... People who are close to me, like my partner and mum, made it clear. It made it easier to give up the drink.

"I'm feeling good, and well. It would be good to actually give up for good. Like everything else, I'm taking it one step at a time. Hopefully I can do it. It would be good."

If it means his impressive form of 2009 continues, it might not be a hard decision. Roberts possesses an array of natural skills - good footwork, nice pass and a booming left boot - but consistency had not been his friend.

He's achieved that under Moore and by playing alongside Kimmorley. He has no hesitation in singling this year out as his best since debuting in 2006.

His crowning performance came against the Broncos in round 14, when the Bulldogs spanked the six-time premiers 44-22 at Suncorp Stadium. Roberts laid on four tries and scored one of his own, when he outpaced Darren Lockyer.

He and his team-mates needed this weekend off, however. Roberts suffered a minor calf tear in the warm-up to last weekend's 26-12 win over the Knights and has sat out training.

There are a handful of others who have niggling injuries and the break will allow Kimmorley more time to recover from the broken cheekbone he sustained against the Warriors three weeks ago.

"It will be good to have Noddy [Kimmorley] back - he's going to lift us," Roberts says. "There's a good feeling around the club... just the thought that we only have to win one more game to reach the grand final. We're all pretty confident. Having this weekend off will do us a lot of good."

Roberts isn't likely to have much time off once his Bulldogs season comes to an end. His form didn't warrant inclusion in last year's Kiwis side for the World Cup - he played for Samoa instead - but it's hard to see him missing out on a place for the Four Nations.

It's likely he will play alongside Benji Marshall - the pair have played only one match together in the 2007 Anzac test - and should be an exciting combination.

But it's the one with Kimmorley that occupies most of his thoughts. Thereis still one rather large assignment to achieve.

Few would have thought that possible 12 months ago.