Anasta sounded out

Braith Anasta is the latest NRL half to be sounded out as an option for 2011, according to a 1Eyed Eel source.

The Eels have money in the bank and have not given up on signing a senior half. Parramatta is sure to continue making inquiries about the availability of any potential half in the NRL and a source has confirmed that Braith Anasta, who was last night named Captain of the Year at the Dally M awards has been approached.

Anasta will come to the end of his $300,000 a year contract next year and the Roosters may consider it prudent to free up some of their salary cap to help retain some of their younger, emerging players. While the Roosters have tied up halves Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce for two and three more years respectively, upgrading those contracts would need to be considered when considering Anasta's next contract.

The club also recently re-signed second row and utility Mitchell Aubusson. It also has cover in the halves with Ben Jones signed until the end of 2012.

For Anasta, who will turn 29 next year, the primary attraction to a Parramatta switch would be a return to his favoured five-eighth position.

At this stage, nothing more than preliminary discussions appear to have been held, but it appears the club is likely to leave no stone unturned prior to the 2011 season.

"Yep well said. Hands was the flavour of the month but mainly due to him just being a steady option over Hodgson who was not great at all for us. Then comes Smith and Hands is seen as a very average Hooker."

Replies

PM www.sportfirstnambucca.com.au September 8, 2010 at 1:23pm

interesting.......
Ricky September 8, 2010 at 1:23pm

I wouldn't be too displeased if Anasta was to sign.
He seems to be having a relatively good year this year.

Not bad at all.
jjeel September 8, 2010 at 1:27pm

no thanks. Lock is his go.
LegendTHECROWEELS September 8, 2010 at 1:31pm

very interesting yet another rumor that will continue the blogs for a long time
Prue Raff September 8, 2010 at 1:31pm

noooooo i hate him with a passion please theres gotta be a better choiuce !
Dorki wizard September 8, 2010 at 1:47pm

I'm sorry Phil but this is crap, there would be absolutely no benefit to the roosters in releasing a guy like Anasta one year short of his contract ending..especially when Pearce and Carney are already tied up next year.
Adam Clarke September 8, 2010 at 2:07pm

Please no more Q-Cup players etc etc. We need an experienced 7 to run the show and if we don't get one we are fuked.
1Eyed Eel September 8, 2010 at 2:13pm

Just to re-assert, I'm not claiming he's coming to the club, nor that the Roosters would let him go, just that a preliminary inquiry has been made. I dare say Id rate this a higher possibility than Orford or any of the other mentioned players getting releases because Anastasia is overpaid based on his current role in the club.
tobiasfunke September 8, 2010 at 2:40pm

Why would we even waste our time with this? We need a creative half/five eighth of which Anasta is neither. We just let go of Mateo who is a far more creative five eighth than Anasta. Assuming they would both want similar money we would have been much better of re-signing Mateo. I don't understand this at all.
Gronk September 8, 2010 at 2:58pm

His Missus can sit on my lap in the Cronin Stand.