Cowboys target Anasta

Article in today's Telegraph which follows on from 1eyed's exclusive re Eels targeting Anasta. Surely if the Cowboys are attempting to pay out his last year we would be considering this too if we use the cash that was allocated to a half.

NORTH Queensland have held top-level discussions about buying out the final season of Braith Anasta's contract with the Sydney Roosters next year.

Anasta is ready to lead the surging Roosters into a sudden-death semi-final against the Panthers on Saturday night, but The Daily Telegraph can reveal the cashed-up Cowboys have spoken internally about the possibility of luring Anasta from Bondi to Townsville in 2011.

North Queensland have money in their salary cap to buy Anasta and are keen for him to return to the halves after playing this season with the Roosters in the forwards.

"We have a wonderful halfback in Johnathan Thurston," said North Queensland coach Neil Henry. "You put him with Braith Anasta and it would be an exciting thought.

"They would be a dynamic combination. I don't know whether we would have the finances to buy out his contract, but if a player like Braith became available we would certainly be interested.

"It would be a big sea-change for Braith to move from Sydney, but funnier things have happened."

Cowboys management has scheduled talks with Anasta's manager, Greg Willett.

Henry has reacted after hearing Anasta is restless about playing in the forwards, with Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney now cemented as the Roosters' long-term halves.

"I have heard whispers about [the Cowboys' interest] but that's all there is to it at this point," Anasta told Rugby League Week.

"I don't even want to think about it now - we're just focused on the finals.

"Toddy and Mitch are doing a great job for the Roosters in the halves and they have been a big reason behind our success."

As I said in the original piece I wrote, Roosters are going to come under heavy salary cap pressure to keep the players they've got on roster right now over the next few years.

Even if Braith is happy to play second row for $300k, there aren't too many clubs happy to pay $300k for back rowers these days. He'll almost certainly have to take a paycut to stay there. That said, I don't think he'll come to us, because I think to move he'll want to sign a three-year deal that would just about take him through to the end of his career. I don't think we would go there because I'm sure we're still going to leave ourselves open to signing Quade Cooper post- World Cup.

Perfect signing for the Cowboys because he'll complement Thurston perfectly and that will give them a stable spine for the next few years.

"When you get a chance have a look at Penriths win/loss record when he is the ref and he was refereeing long before they started winning comps. Every single 50/50 call goes Penriths way and it's very clear he hates Parra despite the fact his old man…"

Replies

robbie maxwell September 15, 2010 at 1:25pm

well it seems like anasta wont be coming to the eels ,its only rubbish reports, anasta was on radio today, saying hes very happy at the roosters and wants to stay.
but hes manager still will hold talks with the cowboys only.
PARRAMATTA'S ORIGINAL 2015 COACH September 15, 2010 at 2:34pm

He might be happy there but I know for a fact smith does not want him there
Ricky September 15, 2010 at 2:42pm

Even if that is the case, I doubt Smith is out of the blue going to dump him from the side when he is the captain of the club.
Fyno September 15, 2010 at 2:49pm

Yeah I doubt Anasta would leave the Rooters for the Cowboys, he loves being the Captain and having that leadership.
1Eyed Eel September 15, 2010 at 2:54pm

As I said in the original piece I wrote, Roosters are going to come under heavy salary cap pressure to keep the players they've got on roster right now over the next few years.

Even if Braith is happy to play second row for $300k, there aren't too many clubs happy to pay $300k for back rowers these days. He'll almost certainly have to take a paycut to stay there. That said, I don't think he'll come to us, because I think to move he'll want to sign a three-year deal that would just about take him through to the end of his career. I don't think we would go there because I'm sure we're still going to leave ourselves open to signing Quade Cooper post- World Cup.

Perfect signing for the Cowboys because he'll complement Thurston perfectly and that will give them a stable spine for the next few years.
ParraPride September 15, 2010 at 3:50pm

Jonathan Thurston wants Anasta
http://www.nrl.com/news/news/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/60245/t...
Jpav September 15, 2010 at 6:25pm

brandy has said tonight that theres legs in this story.
The Badger September 15, 2010 at 6:38pm

I was going to respond but Tink's positive blog made me delete it before posting.

All I'll say is ..."A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". We do not seem to have a plan B.
Make Parra Great Again September 15, 2010 at 7:22pm

I think the roosters have to upgrade a few contracts, maybe thats why they offload him. Personally i would keep him, his leadership is high quality. Especially in big games, like the other night, his cool head got them home.