Ben Barba leaving Brisbane Broncos, set to sign with Cronulla Sharks November 7, 2014 - 6:57PM 104 reading now Heading south?: Ben Barba. Ben Barba looks destined to join the Cronulla Sharks after the Brisbane Broncos gave the former Dally M winner permission to look elsewhere for the upcoming NRL season. Wayne Bennett's rapid-fire restructure at Red Hill has continued with Barba the latest player to leave the scene following the departure of Josh Hoffman (Titans) and Martin Kennedy (Roosters). Barba's future was always in doubt after an average 2014 season and the recruitment of Anthony Milford and Darius Boyd, whose official reveal is now just formality. With both fullback and five-eighth gone, Barba was left in the cold. The Broncos haven't released an official statement, but sources have confirmed Barba will be on the move, ending a one-season stint in Brisbane that never reached any great heights as he struggled to rediscover the form that saw him named the best player in the game in 2012. Barba was released from his Bulldogs contract in August 2013 to sign a three-year deal with the Broncos. Part of the move was to ensure Barba was closer to his family. Now he will be heading back to the Sutherland Shire, where he lived when he played for the Bulldogs. The 25-year-old will link with returning coach Shane Flanagan and is viewed as a playmaking replacement for Todd Carney. The drums were beating when Barba didn't show for the first session of Brisbane's pre-season on Wednesday, although it was suggested Barba was spending time with his growing family. And his agent Chris Orr had said there were no moves afoot and he had yet to speak to Bennett about his future. "He is still contracted to the Broncos," Orr said. Nothing has changed. At this stage, it is speculation. He has not spoken to anyone. He is yet to speak to Wayne about where he sits in the pecking order. Cronulla are expected to announce the signing next week. Barba, 25, has played 122 NRL games and scored 80 tries at the two clubs.