Official Aussie NRL Thread

Outcast Braith shattered
Josh Rakic and Adrian Proszenko
January 23, 2011
EXCLUSIVE

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BRAITH ANASTA has spoken of his heartbreak at being squeezed out of Bondi Junction after Roosters officials all but conceded there was no place for him beyond 2011.

It is understood Anasta was secretly shopped to Parramatta just days ago on an immediate transfer after negotiations with the Roosters broke down this week.

''Ask me not

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ago and I would have told you I couldn't see myself anywhere else, but to be honest with you they haven't offered me an extension of my contract,'' Anasta said.

''And I've been told I won't be offered an extension any

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soon. I am off-contract and … it's tough, mate. Ideally, I'd like to

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my life away with the Roosters. I'm the captain of the club, it's my

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and I

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it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed about it all because I am.''

An intermediary acting for Anasta approached Parramatta,

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have

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than $500,000 still available under the salary cap for this season. However, it's understood the Eels passed

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offer to the lock forward for either 2011 or 2012 and beyond.

The latest developments

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a slap

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face

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Dally M captain of the

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, who led the Roosters from the wooden spoon to an improbable

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final appearance

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season. Anasta played some of his best football after shifting from five-eighth to lock and, at the age of just 29, is still a contender for representative honours.

''Now I guess I'm just going to have to reassess everything, my future,'' Anasta said. ''I'm not sure what's going to happen now. I suppose that will take

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of itself in the next couple of months. It becomes difficult because if you wait, wait and wait until mid-year and then all of a sudden they don't offer you that extension or it's pretty poor compared to elsewhere, it leaves you with your hands tied.

''As hard as it is and as painful as it is and as disappointing as it is, you've really got to look after yourself. And playing the game for as long as I have - this is my 12th season - you see it happening to to other players and it's just part of the game. It's sad but it's just the way it is.''

Anasta's long-term future has been a source of constant speculation. North Queensland attempted to poach the premiership-winning playmaker during last year's finals. Roosters CEO Steve Noyce confirmed the club had refused to guarantee anything beyond this year.

''We talked about

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the club is up to in terms of recruitment and retention and we agreed we'll wait until the start of the season before we look to do anything,'' Noyce said. ''As I understand, Smithy had a really

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about his future plans for the club. There certainly was no discussion that he wouldn't be considered to be part of the plans, but in today's environment, the salary cap is only what it is. You have 25 players to fit in and you have to continually look to the future.

''It's an important decision for Braith as well, I understand and respect that. We're all aware of what a great ambassador for the game Braith is.

''He's right up there with the way he handles himself on and off the field and he's a great attribute for a club with young players.''

Anasta's preference is to finish his career with the Roosters and has even contemplated taking a pay cut to alleviate salary cap pressures. The former Kangaroo and State of Origin representative has previously shunned big-money offers to switch codes.

''At the end of the day you'll take pay cuts to stay where you want and be happy at a place where you want to be,'' Anasta said.

''It's just a matter of what extent.

''Players should be rewarded for staying loyal to the code.''

In other league news, Titans and Manly fanboy Teke was caught molesting a dead horse behind a popular Gold Coast night spot.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...122-1a0i7.html

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The Horse was not dead

 

Very bad move.

He played really well last year in his preferred position.

Souths are going to pick him up I reckon. Bennett and Anasta are just the 2 blokes that will complete the Rabbits

 

Thats the way it usually goes.

I heard last year that Anasta will be shopped around to make way for Carney staying long term. He is a great captain, probably the best captain in the NRL in fact, and he'd be a big loss for you guys.

I have a feeling that he'll stay on on a reduced contract, or Uncle Nick will be privately topping up his pay pocket some other way :yep

Teke, from what I'm hearing, the Bennett deal is a done thing and getting rid of Champion, and Sutton being tapped on the shoulder came from no other but the messiah himself.

 

If Anasta doesnt want to take 200 - 250k to stay with the roosters, i hope souths buy him. At the end of the day he is a lock, a poor mans 5/8. Something roosters have in abundance is backrowers. He has gone to the papers yet again, when he isnt getting offered the money he wants and he now realised no other teams wants him.

 

I agree, you dont want to lose him.

Most clubs have an abundance of 2nd Rowers but he is one of the comps better ones.

 

Tbh, I cant believe Parramatta knocked him back.
I dont think Souths will sign him, as we are also over loaded withy back rowers. But if we did sign him... that round 1 game would have a little bit more bite to it. :yep

The ball's clearly in Wayne Bennett's court now.

 

What sort of paycut do you think he will take from the 400-450 he is reportedly making? i doubt it will be below 300, which he simply is not worth. Pearce would be my longterm captain, unfortunately mini isnt far off retirement, plus i dont really consider him that good a leader. Nate Myles would be my darkhorse.

I realise how good Anasta played at the end of last year, and yes he is a good captain, but Mr Sullivan has recruited well. I would rather pay 100k to 4 of our promising juniors then give it to anasta. I honestly believe M. Aubusson could be a more damaging runner then Anasta on the edges.

 

:?Now theres a first.