Sydney Roosters put Braith Anasta up for sale
Steve Gee From: The Daily Telegraph January 24, 2011 12:00AM
BRAITH Anasta yesterday hoisted up the For Sale sign on his career at Bondi.
The Roosters captain, who is off contract at the end of the year, has been left "confused and disappointed" after the club's CEO Steve Noyce told him that any offer of an extension would not be forthcoming for several months.
He is not alone. Easts greats Russell Fairfax and Artie Beetson yesterday led a chorus of condemnation over the treatment of Anasta after a season in which he led the Roosters to a grand final.
Anasta, 29, is willing to take a pay cut to play out his career with the club but the former Test player believes he will have to look elsewhere.
Asked whether that means he is on the market, Anasta told The Daily Telegraph: "You could say that. That's the natural process for any player. If you're unsure about you're future you have to consider other options and [my manager] Greg [Willett] will take care of that."
Although hurt by the saga, the Souths junior doesn't want sympathy, insisting it is a reality that all players face.
"I didn't want it to play out like this," Anasta said. "I didn't want to be looking elsewhere, but it looks like I may have to. I'm a bit confused about it all. I don't know what to do or say."
The North Queensland Cowboys tried to sign Anasta last year for 2011 but the Roosters moved heaven and earth to kill off rumours the skipper was unwanted. While there is no suggestion Anasta won't see out his contract, the latest development has fans and former players fuming.
Fairfax is adamant Anasta is in career-best form and deserving of a new deal.
"I'm in shock considering the back half of the season he had last year," Fairfax said.
"I never saw Braith perform better on and off the field. He led from the very front and was an inspiration to the side."
Beetson, who helped to lure Anasta to the Roosters from Canterbury in 2006, was scathing in his assessment.
"Nothing that they do there surprises me these days, particularly after what they did to Fitzy [Craig Fitzgibbon]," the Immortal said. "They've disappointed me with a lot of aspects over the last five years, even what they did to [former coach] Ricky [Stuart]."
Former Roosters coach Brad Fittler said Anasta can force the club's hand by delivering on the field.
"I just just think he's got to start the year well," Fittler said. "It's great motivation for him, so if he turns the focus on to his footy he'll do great."
Anasta earns more than $450,000 a season but is willing to take a pay cut to finish his career with the club.
And despite the snubbing, the veteran forward insists there is no ill-feeling.
"It's just the way the rugby league cycle and the salary cap works. I'm no different to anyone else. There's no bad blood," Anasta said.
None of the NRL clubs that the The Daily Telegraph contacted showed immediate interest in signing the former NSW Origin five-eighth.