tigersrule4life
New member
Stuart Honeysett
From:The Australian
February 21, 201312:00AM
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BRAITH Anasta has opened up about his departure from the Sydney Roosters, admitting he was one of several players who was unhappy playing for the club last year.
The Wests Tigers backrower also warned other players against the perils of signing a deal with another club mid-season, and became the latest voice in the game to throw his support behind a transfer window.
Anasta, who will face his former club in the Foundation Cup at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, spent seven years with the Roosters before announcing in March last year he would join the Tigers this season on a two-year deal.
Anasta said his decision had been prompted by the appeal of playing alongside Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall but he revealed yesterday he hadn't been enjoying the game.
"I needed a change, I wasn't enjoying my footy where I was – a lot of guys weren't, mind you," Anasta said. "There wasn't a huge commitment there from them.
"I don't want to go into (it) but if you asked me when I signed that contract if I was enjoying playing footy, I would have said 'no'.
"I wasn't and there's a number of reasons for that and I can't speak for anyone else but that's where I was at with my career."
The Roosters' season last year was beset by talk of player unrest, with Sam Perrett leaving midway through the year to join the Bulldogs while there were rumours Mitchell Pearce wanted out of his contract.
The upheaval was reflected in the team's performances. The club finished in 13th position, leading to the exit of veteran coach Brian Smith, who was replaced by Trent Robinson.
Anasta admitted it had been a difficult season after signing with the Tigers.
The NRL's regulations regarding player transfers have been slammed by fans, with players free to negotiate and sign with other clubs at any time.
The only catch is the the deal isn't rubber-stamped by the NRL until the final year of the player's existing contract.
"I wouldn't recommend it," Anasta said. "It depends on the person that you are or the player that you are but I'm an extremely passionate player -- I wear my heart on my chest -- and when times are tough and you're moving clubs, you're trying your best but it's very hard.
"It puts a target on you, too. Fans are looking at you because you're going and they don't look at you in the same light. You are an easy target and it can play with your mind.
"It can definitely affect the player and the fans as well, so there's definitely a strong case for having a transfer window."
Anasta also moved to dispel reports he was unhappy playing as a backrower with the Roosters and wanted to play alongside Marshall for the Tigers.
But the No 7 jumper has been given to rookie Jacob Miller while Anasta has looked strong in the backrow after grabbing two tries against Parramatta in a trial last Saturday night.
"There's a number of reasons for me leaving and the key reason wasn't to play half," Anasta said.
"Sheensy (former Tigers coach Tim Sheens) did want to play me in the halfback role but not as a typical half.
"He just wanted me to give good service to Benji and help Robbie (Farah) out, particularly with the kicking, and play a bit of a running role.
"I knew as soon as we got a new coach all that would change and I couldn't be happier than where I am at the moment and the position I'm playing. I just think it's perfect for me at this stage of my career.
"I said I'd prefer to play five-eighth but I never said I didn't want to play in the backrow."
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/i-wasnt-the-only-one-not-happy-at-roosters-braith-anasta/story-fnca0von-1226582240395
From:The Australian
February 21, 201312:00AM
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BRAITH Anasta has opened up about his departure from the Sydney Roosters, admitting he was one of several players who was unhappy playing for the club last year.
The Wests Tigers backrower also warned other players against the perils of signing a deal with another club mid-season, and became the latest voice in the game to throw his support behind a transfer window.
Anasta, who will face his former club in the Foundation Cup at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, spent seven years with the Roosters before announcing in March last year he would join the Tigers this season on a two-year deal.
Anasta said his decision had been prompted by the appeal of playing alongside Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall but he revealed yesterday he hadn't been enjoying the game.
"I needed a change, I wasn't enjoying my footy where I was – a lot of guys weren't, mind you," Anasta said. "There wasn't a huge commitment there from them.
"I don't want to go into (it) but if you asked me when I signed that contract if I was enjoying playing footy, I would have said 'no'.
"I wasn't and there's a number of reasons for that and I can't speak for anyone else but that's where I was at with my career."
The Roosters' season last year was beset by talk of player unrest, with Sam Perrett leaving midway through the year to join the Bulldogs while there were rumours Mitchell Pearce wanted out of his contract.
The upheaval was reflected in the team's performances. The club finished in 13th position, leading to the exit of veteran coach Brian Smith, who was replaced by Trent Robinson.
Anasta admitted it had been a difficult season after signing with the Tigers.
The NRL's regulations regarding player transfers have been slammed by fans, with players free to negotiate and sign with other clubs at any time.
The only catch is the the deal isn't rubber-stamped by the NRL until the final year of the player's existing contract.
"I wouldn't recommend it," Anasta said. "It depends on the person that you are or the player that you are but I'm an extremely passionate player -- I wear my heart on my chest -- and when times are tough and you're moving clubs, you're trying your best but it's very hard.
"It puts a target on you, too. Fans are looking at you because you're going and they don't look at you in the same light. You are an easy target and it can play with your mind.
"It can definitely affect the player and the fans as well, so there's definitely a strong case for having a transfer window."
Anasta also moved to dispel reports he was unhappy playing as a backrower with the Roosters and wanted to play alongside Marshall for the Tigers.
But the No 7 jumper has been given to rookie Jacob Miller while Anasta has looked strong in the backrow after grabbing two tries against Parramatta in a trial last Saturday night.
"There's a number of reasons for me leaving and the key reason wasn't to play half," Anasta said.
"Sheensy (former Tigers coach Tim Sheens) did want to play me in the halfback role but not as a typical half.
"He just wanted me to give good service to Benji and help Robbie (Farah) out, particularly with the kicking, and play a bit of a running role.
"I knew as soon as we got a new coach all that would change and I couldn't be happier than where I am at the moment and the position I'm playing. I just think it's perfect for me at this stage of my career.
"I said I'd prefer to play five-eighth but I never said I didn't want to play in the backrow."
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/i-wasnt-the-only-one-not-happy-at-roosters-braith-anasta/story-fnca0von-1226582240395
