phil rothfield

[Guest]

Anasta has 10 months to go on his current deal with us.We could then offer him a one year incentive deal for 2012,then 2013 and onwards he qualifies for the 200k veteran exemption...

[fletch]

judging by the tone of the article, Braith and his manager have probably realised that after this year he will have to take a substantial paycut to stay with the Roosters and with his form during the finals series this might be his last chance to get a final payday if he can get a release to join the Cowboys.

in terms of team balance/work rate we would probably be better off without Braith but like others have mentioned taking your club captain out of the equation might effect off field stability.

whatever happens the club must not let this drag on throughout the off season a decision either way must be made shortly so we can concentrate on preparations for 2011

the fact Maubs may miss the early rounds of 2011 might be the deciding factor on whether Braith is allowed to leave or not.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Anasta has 10 months to go on his current deal with us.We could then offer him a one year incentive deal for 2012,then 2013 and onwards he qualifies for the 200k veteran exemption...

Exemption or not he probably wants to play 5/8 and he won't at the Roosters. We have lots of depth at back row and I expect the club wants to free up money for a Fullback and or Front Rower of marquee level.

[theGman]

The article suggests that Anasta's manager has approached NQ. That's interesting.

Hmmm, Gus was invited to NQ over a month ago to provide advice.

It's not too outlandish to suggest that Gus may have pushed Braith's barrow by advising Cowboys officials to make him an attractive offer because they desparately need a proven leader. Afterall, Gus is Braith's godfather!!!

[Rooster_6]

Hmmm, Gus was invited to NQ over a month ago to provide advice.

It's not too outlandish to suggest that Gus may have pushed Braith's barrow by advising Cowboys officials to make him an attractive offer because they desparately need a proven leader. Afterall, Gus is Braith's godfather!!!

Even though he was open with his criticism of them signing older players rather than young ones & the rumour being around long before he went up there...

[theGman]

Even though he was open with his criticism of them signing older players rather than young ones & the rumour being around long before he went up there...

Yes Rooster6 however an important factor is Anasta's leadership & experience, something NQ desperately need given their player turnover. They are fostering change up there & Thurston has proven on several occasions both on & off the field how irresponsible he is.
For Braith and the Roosters the timing of the speculation was not ideal i.e GF lead-up, Dally M capt of the year.
Gus would have been the best credentialed guise for both parties for initial talks.
Gus always gloats about how he insisted our officials sign him from the dogs because he was growing in maturity and ready to lead.
I have no doubt that our officials are reluctant to let him go, given his stellar season, however if such a move benefits Anasta (long term deal, #6 jersey) and frees up a marque spot & some $$ then it's an amicable business decision.
As many have suggested we have some back-row talent at our disposal. If they don't get the opportunity they deserve then the vultures will provide that - Jacob Miller is a fine example of this. Never did i imagine him playing elsewhere considering the time, effort & $$ we invested in him as a 15yr old.

[Guest]

The club should be very careful about getting rid of Braith.

His influence, as I'm sure most of you know, is massive.

Make no mistake, he was integral to our success last season.

[Kingbilly]

There is a lot of speculation and assumption in the replies here, but the truth is he does not want to leave.
I hope to god that idiot Gould is not putting ideas into his head

[theGman]

There is a lot of speculation and assumption in the replies here, but the truth is he does not want to leave.
I hope to god that idiot Gould is not putting ideas into his head

KB,
you're correct about assumptions & conspiracy theories but don't discount the fact that the club might be using Gould as their mouthpiece, in a pleasantary manner...like a mediator. We know how loyal he is to uncle Nick.
If the truth be known, this time last year Anasta was afforded the opportunity to "explore his options". Thankfully he stayed around.

[Guest]

I hope they release him. Roosters would miss his leadership, but that will make other players step up. Our pack could be so much better without him!!

[Guest]

I hope they release him. Roosters would miss his leadership, but that will make other players step up. Our pack could be so much better without him!!

massive call but i can see where you are coming from. here are the facts, we have the best halves combo in the league (anasta is not part of it) an anasta if anything is a half and makeshift backrower. His workrate simply isnt good enough for a backrower although he does have touches of class and really transformed our left edge. With the money he is on however we could easily be in the market for a top line backrower to replace him like heighington, gallen, thaiday etc who would offer a lot more to us in terms of footballing ability. Losing braith means that we lose a hell of a lot of leadership and steadiness this is the problem. Im very unsure about this one. He would leave a massive hole in terms of his presence but long term our side could benefit from having someone better suited to his role playing there and even reinvesting some of the money left over into youth or recruiting a talented FB or Winger which appear to be the 2 problem areas left going forward.

If we could strike some sort of deal with them that would send the likes of scott, tamou or young taumololo id consider it with potentially a bit in the kitty left for some other recruitments retentions considering we still havent really replaced the likes of mason. My heart says stay, head says go. i really dont know. its a tough one.....

[Guest]

The way I see it Anasta is naturally a 6, if he has to play in the fowards he has to play in the 12, running out wide where he can just attack, not at lock in the middle. He hasnt got a workrate to be a lock, someone like Myles fits Lock for the roosters perfectly.

He is a great captain, sure somone like Gallen would always be better at the Roosters but the chances of him leaving the shire are next to none.

[Guest]

Continues his weekly agenda against easts,and todays episode of course,continues the Braith for North Qld story.
This bloke has serious relevance issues.

yes, it's all an agenda


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...129-18e00.html

[Kingbilly]

"Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe is believed to want to lure Bennett to Redfern in 2012 and the Academy award-winning actor has a successful strike rate in negotiations he has been personally involved in, with Roy Asotasi, Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis all having been swayed by Crowe's charm."


IS charm a code word for cheque book ?


But I would like to say its very refreshing to see it all done out in the open and the way its supposed to be done.
Good on you Cowboys

[Pass the Ball]

KB - It would appear that it has been going on behind closed doors for months...