However, the 26-year-old is backing himself to not only snap up the Sharks No.1 jersey but also a Queensland jumper in 2016.
Barba believes he is closer than ever to recapturing his 2012 Dally M Medal-winning form after being pitted with Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird in a fight for the Cronulla fullback spot this pre-season.
"Obviously all I have trained is at fullback, that's my best position - I won a Dally M there," Barba told AAP.
"Even though I am battling out with two young guys there, all I can do is play my best footy in the trials and see what happens."