Ben Barba has found the form that made him a Dally M Medalist and has been integral in making Cronulla 2-0 to start 2016.

But the dynamic fullback has revealed how hard he tried avoiding Sydney after being shown the door by Brisbane at the end of 2015.

“To do what I did I’m filthy at myself,” Barba said on The Locker Room podcast.

“Especially when you hear about how much I love my partner and two beautiful girls. I was with another girl for a few months eventually I woke up to myself and realised how much I needed my family.

“To get back with my partner I had to move away from Sydney.”