Braith Anasta to retire

[Sabre]

Braith Anasta says he is as fit as ever as he heads into his 15th and probably final NRL season.

Fresh from a starring role in Greece's 90-0 win over Hungary in Budapest last month, Anasta says he has hit the ground running in pre-season training with a Wests Tigers side desperate to put a poor 2013 behind them.

The 31-year old concedes 2014 is likely to be his swansong in a career that has spanned 275 NRL games with the Tigers, Sydney Roosters and Canterbury - including a premiership in 2004 - four Tests for Australia and 10 State of Origin appearances with NSW.

"I went to play for Greece against Hungary and I have come back from that probably in one of the best shapes I have been in pre-season because of that experience playing over the break," Anasta said at Tigers' training on Thursday.

"For me it could be my last offseason so it is all about training as hard as I can and making the most out of it and making sure we do a lot better than we did last season.

"I'm approaching it as my last season and I don't want to leave anything out there at this stage of my career."

Anasta said he is hoping to partner promising young halfback Luke Brooks in the halves as the Tigers look to life without Benji Marshall and to bounce back from their second-last finish.

He said he will likely make a retirement call several months into the season and ruled out a move to Super League to finish his career.

"I will see how I start the year and how the body holds up but I am feeling pretty good right now," Anasta said.

"I will see how the mind is holding up too because I don't want to push it.

"I signed a two-year deal here and pretty much think that could be it for me.

"I will see how I am travelling mentally and physically after a few months and take it from there."

 

[sheer64]

Damn I got all excited and thought he had taken an early release from his contract.

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Damn I got all excited and thought he had taken an early release from his contract.

:laughing: Did the same!

Braith was a big disappointment this season, but in fairness, so was the whole team. Probably expected that he was a bit better than he actually is at this stage of his long career. Hoping he gets to play behind a more dominant pack of forwards in '14 and can use his skillset a bit more, because being a workhorse and battering ram isn't really his strong point.

All the best to him next season as he passes on his wealth of knowledge to Brooks, Austin and Moses.

 

[Muffstar]

The heading in the SMH says : Braith Anasta says 2014 season probably his last.

So a little misleading from the OP.

 

[innsaneink]

Smartarse thread title

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Not really. He will retire at some stage.

 

[alexaki]

Smartarse thread title

The title is factually correct…

 

[Defiant]

Braith displayed exactly the same form last year as he did the year before as captain at the Roosters.

With all due respects i hope he doesn't see first grade.

 

[innsaneink]

Smartarse thread title

The title is factually correct…

So is "Braith Anasta will die"

Simple things amuse simple minds

 

[happy_tiger]

He will need to play every game and hope we can make the 1st week of the semis to play 300 NRL games

I wonder what odds I can get on that ??

 

[Guest]

Reaistically he will struggle to pick up another nrl contract at 32 years of age.

 

[stevetiger]

If he plays well in reserves and earns a first grade spot I think that would be a fantastic effort. The thing is on form he doesn't deserve a spot.

 

[innsaneink]

He'll be in first grade…cant see him in reggies...regardless of form

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

One more year? If Potter is smart and enjoys his job I don't think Anasta will see first grade. He has been poor for years.He left the Roosters and they won a premiership. Whilst he was there they struggled to win games except for us.

 

[LaT]

Fairly sure Anasta played in a GF for Roosters too, so they can't have struggled to win too many that year.

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Fairly sure Anasta played in a GF for Roosters too, so they can't have struggled to win too many that year.

Spot on LaT. Braith played well for the Roosters, at least for them he was more of a ball player. This season for us he was used as a bash and crash player, if we can configure our team so that it allows him to use his long passing game a bit more we may see him find his place to be effective next season. Can't afford for him to be one of our 2nd rowers, where the game is all about brute force and intimidation, he needs to be an edge player setting up our speedsters out wide.

Not asking too much Braith!

 

[king_sirro]

I remember last off season Braith saying he was fitter than ever.

 

[Fade_To_Black]

I remember last off season Braith saying he was fitter than ever.

Yep, the familiar and well worn phrase of "training the house down" is only a month or two away from getting a mention. Waiting…...............

 

[sheer64]

I remember his first game for us against Newcastle. A sterling display of how to miss tackles and show no commitment for your new club. But of course that was just a once off bad game because we played him in the second row and he really is not suited there. :brick:

 

[pHyR3]

he did end up making 26 tackles though sheer.

he wont have to make that many at 6 if he is selected there. if not i hope it's NSW Cup or 'the injury ward' for him. As in they say hes injured but he's not.