THIS year's NRL grand final may have been skipper Braith Anasta's final game for the Sydney Roosters.
Anasta's manager, Greg Willett, has approached North Queensland about buying out the final season of his client's contract at Bondi.
And Cowboys chief executive Peter Jourdain has confirmed his club has formally requested permission from the Sydney Roosters to start negotiations with Anasta.
It is a move that was revealed in The Daily Telegraph 10 weeks ago.
The Roosters are yet to decide whether they will agree to the request but it appears unlikely.
Willett is angling for Anasta to move to Townsville, where he will return to five-eighth and play alongside star halfback Jonathan Thurston.
But officials negotiations cannot begin unless the Roosters agree.
Roosters officials last night confirmed the club had received Jourdain's email.
One source close to the Roosters said: "I can't see it happening. I don't think Braith wants to leave Sydney. Nick [Politis, Roosters chairman] is a fan on Braith.
"Maybe it's his manager trying to push our buttons."
Anasta loves the eastern suburbs lifestyle and would no doubt baulk at shifting to far-away Townsville.
But the Cowboys are definitely interested.
"His manager has approached us," Jourdain told The Townsville Bulletin.
"We're not allowed to talk to him or make any offers because, under the rules of the NRL, you need written permission.
"I have made a written request to see if we can talk but until we get that permission we can't do anything because he's contracted."
It is unknown whether the Roosters plan to re-sign Anasta after 2011.
The shift could extend Anasta's career by a further two or three years.
North Queensland coach Neil Henry is known to be a huge Anasta fan.
Henry told The Daily Telegraph on September 15: "They [Anasta and Thurston] would be a dynamic combination."
Anasta would bring a strong work ethic and attitude to a North Queensland side down on discipline last season.
"He [Anasta] is someone we are interested in because of what he does on the field as well as off the field," Jourdain said. "But we don't even know if the Roosters want to release him or not.
"Until we hear back, we can't do anything."
Anasta had a stellar 2010 season which culminated in a grand final appearance and being named Dally M captain of the year. Despite a desire to return to his favoured five-eighth position, Anasta will remain at lock next year with Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce entrenched as the club's halves.
ROOSTERS recruit Anthony Watts has injured his knee in training and could miss a large slice of next season. Watts was signed by the Roosters from North Queensland as a back-up to hooker Jake Friend.
The injury is a massive blow for Watts, who wanted to re-establish himself back in Sydney.
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Haha, looks like Watts will do anything to get out of squaring off against Farah again!
Anasta's manager, Greg Willett, has approached North Queensland about buying out the final season of his client's contract at Bondi.
And Cowboys chief executive Peter Jourdain has confirmed his club has formally requested permission from the Sydney Roosters to start negotiations with Anasta.
It is a move that was revealed in The Daily Telegraph 10 weeks ago.
The Roosters are yet to decide whether they will agree to the request but it appears unlikely.
Willett is angling for Anasta to move to Townsville, where he will return to five-eighth and play alongside star halfback Jonathan Thurston.
But officials negotiations cannot begin unless the Roosters agree.
Roosters officials last night confirmed the club had received Jourdain's email.
One source close to the Roosters said: "I can't see it happening. I don't think Braith wants to leave Sydney. Nick [Politis, Roosters chairman] is a fan on Braith.
"Maybe it's his manager trying to push our buttons."
Anasta loves the eastern suburbs lifestyle and would no doubt baulk at shifting to far-away Townsville.
But the Cowboys are definitely interested.
"His manager has approached us," Jourdain told The Townsville Bulletin.
"We're not allowed to talk to him or make any offers because, under the rules of the NRL, you need written permission.
"I have made a written request to see if we can talk but until we get that permission we can't do anything because he's contracted."
It is unknown whether the Roosters plan to re-sign Anasta after 2011.
The shift could extend Anasta's career by a further two or three years.
North Queensland coach Neil Henry is known to be a huge Anasta fan.
Henry told The Daily Telegraph on September 15: "They [Anasta and Thurston] would be a dynamic combination."
Anasta would bring a strong work ethic and attitude to a North Queensland side down on discipline last season.
"He [Anasta] is someone we are interested in because of what he does on the field as well as off the field," Jourdain said. "But we don't even know if the Roosters want to release him or not.
"Until we hear back, we can't do anything."
Anasta had a stellar 2010 season which culminated in a grand final appearance and being named Dally M captain of the year. Despite a desire to return to his favoured five-eighth position, Anasta will remain at lock next year with Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce entrenched as the club's halves.
ROOSTERS recruit Anthony Watts has injured his knee in training and could miss a large slice of next season. Watts was signed by the Roosters from North Queensland as a back-up to hooker Jake Friend.
The injury is a massive blow for Watts, who wanted to re-establish himself back in Sydney.
–------------------------------------
Haha, looks like Watts will do anything to get out of squaring off against Farah again!
