Cronula Sharks

With scores locked at 14-all and the Cowboys primed for a field goal, Lowe simply put his head down and ran hard at tiring defenders for the match-winning try as the home side scraped through a hotly-contested match.

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."

The 2015 NYC Team of the Year centre has landed in the shire with no family and no partner by his side after signing with the Sharks on a two-year deal in October.

It's been a long road for the Nanango junior who at 18 made his first grade debut against the Dragons as an injury replacement for Lachlan Maranta.

His progression to the top grade wasn't anticipated. 

In fact he was kicked out of pre-season by under-20s coaching staff earlier on in 2013 – his debut year – after failing to impress.

The 2015 NYC Team of the Year centre has landed in the shire with no family and no partner by his side after signing with the Sharks on a two-year deal in October.

It's been a long road for the Nanango junior who at 18 made his first grade debut against the Dragons as an injury replacement for Lachlan Maranta.

His progression to the top grade wasn't anticipated.

In fact he was kicked out of pre-season by under-20s coaching staff earlier on in 2013 – his debut year – after failing to impress.