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Josh Rakic and Adrian Proszenko
January 23, 2011
EXCLUSIVE
BRAITH ANASTA has spoken of his heartbreak at being squeezed out of Bondi Junction after Roosters officials all but conceded there was no place for him beyond 2011.
It is understood Anasta was secretly shopped to Parramatta just days ago on an immediate transfer after negotiations with the Roosters broke down this week.
''Ask me not long ago and I would have told you I couldn't see myself anywhere else, but to be honest with you they haven't offered me an extension of my contract,'' Anasta said.
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''And I've been told I won't be offered an extension any time soon. I am off-contract and … it's tough, mate. Ideally, I'd like to sign my life away with the Roosters. I'm the captain of the club, it's my home and I love it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed about it all because I am.''
An intermediary acting for Anasta approached Parramatta, who have more than $500,000 still available under the salary cap for this season. However, it's understood the Eels passed on the offer to the lock forward for either 2011 or 2012 and beyond.
The latest developments are a slap in the face for the Dally M captain of the year, who led the Roosters from the wooden spoon to an improbable grand final appearance last season. Anasta played some of his best football after shifting from five-eighth to lock and, at the age of just 29, is still a contender for representative honours.
''Now I guess I'm just going to have to reassess everything, my future,'' Anasta said. ''I'm not sure what's going to happen now. I suppose that will take care of itself in the next couple of months. It becomes difficult because if you wait, wait and wait until mid-year and then all of a sudden they don't offer you that extension or it's pretty poor compared to elsewhere, it leaves you with your hands tied.
''As hard as it is and as painful as it is and as disappointing as it is, you've really got to look after yourself. And playing the game for as long as I have - this is my 12th season - you see it happening to to other players and it's just part of the game. It's sad but it's just the way it is.''
Anasta's long-term future has been a source of constant speculation. North Queensland attempted to poach the premiership-winning playmaker during last year's finals. Roosters CEO Steve Noyce confirmed the club had refused to guarantee anything beyond this year.
''We talked about where the club is up to in terms of recruitment and retention and we agreed we'll wait until the start of the season before we look to do anything,'' Noyce said. ''As I understand, Smithy had a really good chat about his future plans for the club. There certainly was no discussion that he wouldn't be considered to be part of the plans, but in today's environment, the salary cap is only what it is. You have 25 players to fit in and you have to continually look to the future.
''It's an important decision for Braith as well, I understand and respect that. We're all aware of what a great ambassador for the game Braith is.
''He's right up there with the way he handles himself on and off the field and he's a great attribute for a club with young players.''
Anasta's preference is to finish his career with the Roosters and has even contemplated taking a pay cut to alleviate salary cap pressures. The former Kangaroo and State of Origin representative has previously shunned big-money offers to switch codes.
''At the end of the day you'll take pay cuts to stay where you want and be happy at a place where you want to be,'' Anasta said.
''It's just a matter of what extent.
''Players should be rewarded for staying loyal to the code.''
http://bit.ly/e7agCp
January 23, 2011
EXCLUSIVE
BRAITH ANASTA has spoken of his heartbreak at being squeezed out of Bondi Junction after Roosters officials all but conceded there was no place for him beyond 2011.
It is understood Anasta was secretly shopped to Parramatta just days ago on an immediate transfer after negotiations with the Roosters broke down this week.
''Ask me not long ago and I would have told you I couldn't see myself anywhere else, but to be honest with you they haven't offered me an extension of my contract,'' Anasta said.
Advertisement: Story continues below
''And I've been told I won't be offered an extension any time soon. I am off-contract and … it's tough, mate. Ideally, I'd like to sign my life away with the Roosters. I'm the captain of the club, it's my home and I love it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed about it all because I am.''
An intermediary acting for Anasta approached Parramatta, who have more than $500,000 still available under the salary cap for this season. However, it's understood the Eels passed on the offer to the lock forward for either 2011 or 2012 and beyond.
The latest developments are a slap in the face for the Dally M captain of the year, who led the Roosters from the wooden spoon to an improbable grand final appearance last season. Anasta played some of his best football after shifting from five-eighth to lock and, at the age of just 29, is still a contender for representative honours.
''Now I guess I'm just going to have to reassess everything, my future,'' Anasta said. ''I'm not sure what's going to happen now. I suppose that will take care of itself in the next couple of months. It becomes difficult because if you wait, wait and wait until mid-year and then all of a sudden they don't offer you that extension or it's pretty poor compared to elsewhere, it leaves you with your hands tied.
''As hard as it is and as painful as it is and as disappointing as it is, you've really got to look after yourself. And playing the game for as long as I have - this is my 12th season - you see it happening to to other players and it's just part of the game. It's sad but it's just the way it is.''
Anasta's long-term future has been a source of constant speculation. North Queensland attempted to poach the premiership-winning playmaker during last year's finals. Roosters CEO Steve Noyce confirmed the club had refused to guarantee anything beyond this year.
''We talked about where the club is up to in terms of recruitment and retention and we agreed we'll wait until the start of the season before we look to do anything,'' Noyce said. ''As I understand, Smithy had a really good chat about his future plans for the club. There certainly was no discussion that he wouldn't be considered to be part of the plans, but in today's environment, the salary cap is only what it is. You have 25 players to fit in and you have to continually look to the future.
''It's an important decision for Braith as well, I understand and respect that. We're all aware of what a great ambassador for the game Braith is.
''He's right up there with the way he handles himself on and off the field and he's a great attribute for a club with young players.''
Anasta's preference is to finish his career with the Roosters and has even contemplated taking a pay cut to alleviate salary cap pressures. The former Kangaroo and State of Origin representative has previously shunned big-money offers to switch codes.
''At the end of the day you'll take pay cuts to stay where you want and be happy at a place where you want to be,'' Anasta said.
''It's just a matter of what extent.
''Players should be rewarded for staying loyal to the code.''
http://bit.ly/e7agCp
He really does love the club and to be basically told as the captain of the club (one who has a terrific season and played a pivotal role in energising, inspiring and leading this young group) that your not really welcome must be devastating. 
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