Ben Barba vows he is a better man after his stint in rehab Ben Barba will make his much-anticipated return for the Bulldogs against the Rabbitohs. Ben Barba back training with the Canterbury Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground. BENNY Barba has spoken for the first time since quitting rugby league, declaring: "I'm looking forward to getting the footy buzz back again." Barba, the 2012 Dally M Medal winner, will make his much-anticipated return for the Canterbury Bulldogs in tomorrow's Good Friday blockbuster against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium. More than 40,000 fans will watch as Barba confronts in-form Souths superstar Greg Inglis. Barba claimed his time away from rugby league - where he received counselling for personal issues - had made him "a better person." Breaking his silence, Barba said: "It's been a difficult period but it's felt terrific to be back around my mates and back training. Barba's back: Expert concerned Ben's back too soon I love rugby league and to be back doing what I love is fantastic. I am sure I will come back a better person and better player. It's great to have been named in the team for this week's match. Teammates claim Barba is "in good spirits" and ready "to play some footy again." He will start at fullback tonight in what shapes as the game-of-the-season. Bulldogs teammates have spoken this week about Barba's return. "Ben is in great shape," captain Michael Ennis said. He had a wonderful pre-season which was obviously disrupted for a period of time in February. His head is where it needs to be so he can take the field at 100 per cent. Barba will no doubt feel the pressure tonight although teammates were quick to tell fans not to expect miracles. The Barba effect - and the great rivalry between Canterbury and Souths - is promising to deliver one of the biggest NRL regular season crowds in years, with 40,000-plus fans expected for the Good Friday showdown. ANZ Stadium yesterday opened its Level 6 seating areas. The last time the Stadium did this for an NRL club game was for the Nathan Hindmarsh farewell match last year, when 45,863 fans made it the biggest regular-season NRL game since 1969. "Sales are on par for any club rugby league game in recent history," ANZ Stadium media director Arthur Stanley said. With more than 100,000 fans also expected to attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park on Good Friday, football supporters are being encouraged to take advantage of integrated ticketing, with the cost of public transport included in the game-day ticket. Direct trains will run to Sydney Olympic Park every 10 minutes on Good Friday and major event buses will run on routes across Sydney.