Braith Anasta

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Braith Anasta
fullname = Braith Anastasakis
nickname = BA, Boppy


caption =
position = Rlp|FE|LK
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|1|14|df=yes
placeofbirth = Sydney
countryofbirth = Australia
height = 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
weight = 98 kg (15 st 6 lbs)
club1 = leagueicon|Bulldogs|16 Bulldogs
year1start = 2000
year1end = 2005
appearances1 = 110
tries1 = 50
goals1 = 2
fieldgoals1 = 10
points1 = 214
club2 = leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|16 Sydney Roosters
year2start = 2006
year2end = present
appearances2 = 61
tries2 = 16
goals2 = 5
fieldgoals2 = 3
points2 = 77
teamA = leagueicon|Australia|16 Australia
yearAstart = 2001
yearAend =
appearancesA = 4
triesA = 1
goalsA = 1
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 6
teamB = leagueicon|New South Wales|16 New South Wales
yearBstart = 2002
yearBend = 2008
appearancesB = 10
triesB = 2
goalsB = 0
fieldgoalsB = 0
pointsB = 8
teamC = leagueicon|City|16 City Origin
yearCstart = 2003
yearCend = 2008
appearancesC = 6
triesC = 0
goalsC = 0
fieldgoalsC = 0
pointsC = 1
updated = 22 August 2008
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=31 NRL Stats] and [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Braith_Anasta.html Rugby League Project]

Braith Anasta (born Braith Anastasakis on 14 January, 1982 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. Anasta previously played for the Bulldogs and has played representative football for both New South Wales and Australia. His position of choice is five-eighth, however he is also capable of playing at lock.

NRL career

Since debuting in 2000 at the age of 18, Anasta has played for both the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters, making over 150 first grade appearances.

While attending Marcellin College, Anasta played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1999. [cite web |title=SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League |url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424 |accessdate=2008-10-10 | publisher="SportingPulse"]

Bulldogs

After playing his junior football for the Maroubra Lions (a South Sydney junior club), Anasta joined the Bulldogs ahead of the 2000 NRL season. Despite spending a majority of his first season in Jersey Flegg, Anasta made his first grade debut on June 2 2000 against the Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium filling in for the injured Jason Hetherington. [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=638 Braith Anasta profile] Bulldogs.com.au. Retrieved May 8 2008] This was the only first grade game Anasta played in 2000, however he had a great deal of success with the Bulldogs Jersey Flegg side, helping them to a premiership victory over the Western Suburbs Magpies. [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=638 Braith Anasta profile] Bulldogs.com.au. Retrieved May 8 2008]

Anasta's breakthrough season came in the 2001 NRL season. He secured a regular place in the team at five-eighth, scored 13 tries in 24 games and helped the Bulldogs finish second on the ladder at the end of the season. [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=638 Braith Anasta profile] Bulldogs.com.au. Retrieved May 8 2008] His season finished disappointingly however, as he missed the Bulldog's semi-final against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks with a thumb injury. Despite this, his excellent form throughout the season earned him the Dally M Rookie of the Year Award and a spot on the 2001 Kangaroo Tour. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/rugby_league/1572824.stm Waite ready for Aussie young guns] BBC Sport Online. Retrieved May 8 2008]

The 2002 season was one of turmoil for the Bulldogs, as they were stripped 37 competition points for breaching the salary cap. The impact was so heavy on the club that there was speculation that Anasta would switch codes and play rugby union if he was asked to take a pay cut by the Bulldogs. [ [http://www.scrum.com/3241_22314.php Anasta Latest League Star To Switch Codes?] Scrum.com. Retrieved May 8 2008] Despite this, the season was a good one for Anasta individually as he made his State of Origin debut, scored 10 tries and at 20 years and 145 days, became the youngest ever man to captain the Bulldogs. [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=638 Braith Anasta profile] Bulldogs.com.au. Retrieved May 8 2008]

In 2003, Anasta assisted the Bulldogs in coming out of the salary cap crisis as the club finished third on the ladder at the end of the season. While the season was indeed a relatively successful one for the Bulldogs, Anasta spent a fair amount of time on the sidelines, fracturing his sternum at the start of the season and fracturing his foot towards the end of the season. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/08/1060145828553.html Anasta looks to return for finals] The Age. Retrieved May 8 2008] [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/31/1048962702610.html Anasta could miss more than a month] The Age. Retrieved May 8 2008]

The 2004 season saw Anasta claim his first premiership ring as the Bulldogs beat his future club, the Sydney Roosters, 16-13 in the Grand Final to win their 8th title. Anasta was a vital player in the Bulldogs premiership season, playing 26 matches and scoring 8 tries, including one in the Preliminary Final against the Penrith Panthers. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/NRL_2004/Prelim_Final/ 2004 - NRL Preliminary Final] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 8 2008] At the end of the season, speculation was once again strong that Anasta was going to switch codes to rugby union and play for the New South Wales Waratahs in 2005, [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Noad-says-Anasta-will-stay-at-Bulldogss/2004/11/05/1099547385201.html Noad says Anasta will stay at Bulldogs] The Age. Retrieved May 8 2008] however Anasta opted to stay with the Bulldogs.

2005 was the final season of Anasta's contract with the Bulldogs, and in a season that saw Anasta voted the "most overrated player" in rugby league by a League Week player's poll, [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Bulldogs-nearing-their-peak-Anasta/2005/06/26/1119724523722.html Bulldogs nearing their peak: Anasta] The Age. Retrieved May 8 2008] the Bulldogs failed to make the Top 8 the year after winning the premiership. It was in Round 18 of this season that Anasta scored his first and only hat-trick to date during the Bulldogs' 26-24 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium. [ [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/games/200518.html#NZBU Round 18 - 2005] Rugby League Stats. Retrieved May 11 2008] Anasta played his final match for the Bulldogs on September 4 2005 in a 32-12 loss to his future club, the Sydney Roosters. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/NRL_2005/Round_26/Sydney_Roosters-vs-Bulldogs.html Round 26 - Roosters v Bulldogs] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 8 2008]

Between 2000 and 2005, Anasta played 110 first grade matches for the Bulldogs, scoring 50 tries, kicking 2 goals and 10 field goals. [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=638 Braith Anasta profile] Bulldogs.com.au. Retrieved May 8 2008]

ydney Roosters

After Anasta's contract with the Bulldogs expired, the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs were seen as the two main contenders for his signature. [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,15770111-23210,00.html Roosters favourite for Anasta] Fox Sports News. Retrieved May 8 2008] The departure of Luke Ricketson, Michael Crocker, Jason Cayless, Chris Walker and Brett Firman ahead of the 2006 season allowed the Roosters to table a sizeable offer for Anasta. After months of speculation, on July 13 2005 it was announced that Anasta had signed a 3-year deal with the Roosters. Anasta claimed his move to the Roosters wasn't financially motivated and was "based upon the opportunity to work under Roosters and State of Origin Coach Ricky Stuart". [ [http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/jul05/artid3377.html Anasta signs with the Roosters till 2008] Sports Australia. Retrieved May 8 2008]

Anasta made his debut for the Sydney Roosters on March 12 2006 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Telstra Stadium. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/NRL_2006/Round_1/South_Sydney_Rabbitohs-vs-Sydney_Roosters.html Round 1 - Roosters vs Rabbitohs] Rugby Leageu Project. Retrieved May 8 2008] His first season with the Roosters was a forgettable one as he failed to score a try in 16 appearances and missed the last part of the season with a groin injury. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Groin-injury-ends-Anastas-NRL-season/2006/07/26/1153816229256.html Groin injury ends Anasta's NRL season] The Age. Retrieved May 8 2008] The Roosters also performed well below par, finishing 14th on the ladder and missing the Top 8 for the second year in a row.

The 2007 season was an excellent one for Anasta, and one of improvement for his team. While Anasta was practising to play at lock under the guidance of former Roosters' coach Chris Anderson during the pre-season, he only played the first game of the season there before shifting to his regular five-eighth position. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Anasta-moves-from-lock-to-fiveeighth/2007/03/22/1174153230941.html Anasta moves from lock to five-eighth] The Age. Retrieved May 9 2008] After the Roosters lost their first 5 matches of the season, Anasta was instrumental in helping the side reach 9th on the ladder as the Roosters just fell short of reaching the finals. Anasta's performances throughout the season were rewarded as he was nominated for Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year and won the Roosters' prestigious Jack Gibson Medal for Player of the Year as well as the Supporters Club Player of the Year Award. [ [http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=2187 Anasta named Jack Gibson Medallist] SportsAustralia.com. Retrieved May 9 2008] In the Roosters' final match of the 2007 season, Anasta attracted a fair amount of media attention after he was hit by South Sydney Rabbitohs forward David Fa'alogo in what he described as a "coward act". [ [http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/roosters-fume-after-rabbit-punch/2007/09/01/1188067431798.html Roosters fume after Rabbit punch] LeagueHQ. Retrieved May 9 2008] After the end of the season, it was revealed that Anasta had signed a contract extension with the Roosters to keep him with the club until at least the end of the 2011 season. [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22775800-5001023,00.html Anasta: We need a title] Daily Telegraph. Retrieved May 9 2008]

Partnering Mitchell Pearce in the halves, the 2008 season got off to a good start for both the Roosters and Anasta. Anasta played a vital role in helping the Roosters win 4 of their first 5 matches of the season.

Prior to the Round 25 match versus fierce rivals South Sydney, Anasta was given the club captaincy.

Representative football

While his Greek heritage makes him eligible to represent the Greek national rugby league team, Anasta has pledged his allegiance to Australia. Since 2001, Anasta has played representative football for City Origin, New South Wales and Australia.

Australia

After his outstanding 2001 season, Anasta was selected in the Australian squad for the 2001 Kangaroo Tour. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/rugby_league/1572824.stm Waite ready for Aussie young guns] BBC Sport Online. Retrieved May 8 2008] It was on this tour that Anasta made his International debut, coming off the bench in Australia's 54-12 thrashing of Papua New Guinea at Lloyd Robson Oval on October 7 2001. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/New_Zealand_vs__Australia_2001/Game_2/Papua_New_Guinea_vs_Australia.html Papua New Guinea vs. Australia - Test Match] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 9 2008] He was then selected in every match of Australia's 2-1 Ashes triumph over Great Britain. With Anasta coming off the bench in each game, Australia fought back from a 1-0 deficit, with Anasta helping the cause by scoring a try in Australia's 40-12 win in the second Test. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/Ashes_Series_2001/Game_2/Great_Britain-vs-Australia.html Great Britain vs Australia - Test Match] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 9 2008]

In August, 2008, Anasta was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. [cite news|author=Liam FitzGibbon|publisher="Fox Sports News (Australia)"|title=Surprises in Kangaroos squad|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24111780-23214,00.html|accessdate=2008-08-02|date=2008-08-01] cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/01/sports/AS-RGL-Australia-Squad.php|title=Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2008-08-01|accessdate=2008-08-02]

New South Wales

Anasta has been a regular in the New South Wales team since 2002. He made his Origin debut on May 22 in Game One of the 2002 series, coming off the bench as the Blues easily beat Queensland 32-4. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/State_Of_Origin_2002/Game_1/New_South_Wales-vs-Queensland.html State Of Origin 2002 Series Game 1] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 9 2008] Anasta was promoted to start five-eighth for Game Two of the series, filling in for the injured Trent Barrett. While he scored his first Origin try in the match, the Blues lost 26-18 and the series was levelled at 1-1. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/State_Of_Origin_2002/Game_2/Queensland-vs-New_South_Wales.html State Of Origin 2002 Series Game 2] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 9 2008] When Barrett returned from injury, Anasta was left out of the side entirely, with Scott Hill being favoured for the third match of what ended up being a tied series.

Shaun Timmins was preferred to Anasta as five-eighth for the 2003 series, [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/02/1054406113369.html Timmins beats out Anasta for NSW] The Age. Retrieved May 9 2008] however Anasta was selected as lock in Game Three after the Blues had already sealed the series. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/07/1057430132526.html Mason, Anasta get chance to shine] The Age. Retrieved May 9 2008] Anasta missed the 2004 series completely due to the return to representative football of Anasta's future coach, Brad Fittler.

While Trent Barrett was originally selected as five-eighth for the 2005 series, his injury opened the door for Anasta to play the final 2 games. Down 1-0 in the series, Anasta helped the Blues come back to win the series 2-1, scoring a try in the decisive Game Three at Suncorp Stadium. [ [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/State_Of_Origin_2005/Game_3/Queensland-vs-New_South_Wales.html Harvey Norman State Of Origin 2005 Series Game 3] Rugby League Project. Retrieved May 9 2008] Anasta played the first two matches of the 2006 series, however was dropped for the final match of the series after the Blues faced an embarrassing 30-6 loss in Game Two. Despite this, Anasta returned for the first two matches of the 2007 series before being ruled out for the third with a fractured finger. [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21908351-5007132,00.html Hand back your pay cheques] News.com.au. Retrieved May 9 2008]

Anasta has played 9 games for New South Wales, scoring 2 tries for 8 points.

City Origin

Anasta made his City Origin debut on May 16 2003 at Central Coast Stadium in a 17-16 win for City. This match perhaps contained the highlight of Anasta's entire City vs Country Origin career as he kicked the field goal to secure victory for his team.

To date, Anasta has made 6 appearances for City, scoring 1 point.

Awards and Honours

Individual

2001: Dally M Rookie of the Year
2007: Jack Gibson Medal
2007: Supporters Club Player of the Year
2004: Premiers ("Bulldogs")

References

External links

*StateofOrigin player|80
* [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=638 Braith Anasta Bulldogs Profile]
* [http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/players/player_profile.php?grade=first_grade&player_name=Braith%20Anasta Braith Anasta Sydney Roosters Profile]
* [http://nrl.com.au/Players/tabid/10372/default.aspx?playerid=125 NRL Profile]