Braith Anasta
Encyclopedia
Braith Anasta is a Greek-Australian professional rugby league
footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters
of the National Rugby League
. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative five-eighth (though he has played a large portion of his career at lock forward), Anasta previously played for the Bulldogs with whom he won the 2004 NRL Premiership.
, making over 200 first grade
appearances.
While attending Marcellin College, Anasta played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1999.
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 2 June 2000 against the Parramatta Eels
at Parramatta Stadium
filling in for the injured Jason Hetherington
. 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
.
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. 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
.
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. 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.
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.
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
. 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, 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, 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. Anasta played his final match for the Bulldogs on 4 September 2005 in a 32–12 loss to his future club, the Sydney Roosters.
Between 2000 and 2005, Anasta played 110 first grade matches for the Bulldogs, scoring 50 tries, kicking 2 goals and 10 field goals.
and the South Sydney Rabbitohs
were seen as the two main contenders for his signature. 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 13 July 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
".
Anasta made his debut for the Sydney Roosters on 12 March 2006 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs
at Telstra Stadium
. 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. 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. 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. 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". 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.
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 and continued to play well for the entire season helping the Roosters to a fourth placed finish and home final for the first time since 2004. Prior to the round 25 match versus the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Anasta was give the captaincy of the club.
In 2009, Anasta was sidelined with a season ending ankle injury in round 15 against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Now he is back in 2010 ready for the next season.
In the 2010 season he started off in the five-eighth position combining to form a lethal combination with Mitchell Pearce
and Todd Carney
which allowed the Roosters to have a firm hold onto a top eight position. Mid-Way through the season Braith was moved to the Lock position to allow Todd Carney to play in the halves. In the first final game against the West Tigers, Anasta played in a new position at second row and scored the crucial field goal leading up to golden point. During the finals series, increased speculation about a possible move to the North Queensland Cowboys
because of his want to play in the halves after Todd Carney
and Mitchell Pearce
forced him to move into lock. However, he soon dismissed these claims, saying that he wanted to be a "Rooster for Life"
Anasta played in the 2010 NRL grand final
and scored a try, but it was not enough for the Roosters to defeat the Dragons.
On the 7th of March 2011 Sydney Roosters Chairman, Nick Politis, announced the re-signing of club captain Braith Anasta ensuring he will stay at the club for the next two seasons.
he has represented Greece on one occasion, Anasta has pledged his allegiance to Australia. Since 2001, Anasta has played representative football for City Origin
, New South Wales and Australia. In his International Career he has played 5 games. 4 games for Australia and 1 game for Greece.
. 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 7 October 2001. 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.
In August, 2008, Anasta was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
, coming off the bench as the Blues easily beat Queensland 32–4. 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. 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
, however Anasta was selected as lock in Game Three after the Blues had already sealed the series. 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 New South Wales' five-eighth for the 2005 State of Origin series, his injury opened the door for Anasta to play in Game II. 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 III at Suncorp Stadium
. Anasta played the first two matches of the 2006 State of Origin series, however was dropped for the final match after the Blues faced an embarrassing 30–6 loss in Game II. Despite this, Anasta returned for the first two matches of the 2007 State of Origin series before being ruled out for the third with a fractured finger.
Anasta has played 9 games for New South Wales, scoring 2 tries for 8 points.
debut on 16 May 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.
2001
: Dally M
Rookie of the Year
2007
: Jack Gibson Medal
2007
: Supporters Club Player of the Year
2004
: Premiers (Bulldogs)
2008
: Players Player of the Year.
2010: Dally M
Captain of the Year
First Grade Debut(NRL): vs. Parramatta Eels, 2 June 2000
State of Origin Debut: 22 May 2002
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
of the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative five-eighth (though he has played a large portion of his career at lock forward), Anasta previously played for the Bulldogs with whom he won the 2004 NRL Premiership.
NRL career
Since debuting in 2000 at the age of 18, Anasta has played for both the Bulldogs and the Sydney RoostersSydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
, making over 200 first grade
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
appearances.
While attending Marcellin College, Anasta played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1999.
Bulldogs
After playing his junior football for the Maroubra Lions (a South SydneySouth Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
junior club), Anasta joined the Bulldogs ahead of the 2000 NRL season
National Rugby League season 2000
The 2000 NRL season was the 93rd season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the third to be run by the National Rugby League...
. Despite spending a majority of his first season in Jersey Flegg
Jersey Flegg Cup
The Jersey Flegg Cup was a junior rugby league competition played in New South Wales, contested among teams made up of players aged under 20. The competition was administered by the New South Wales Rugby League and run concurrently with the National Rugby League...
, Anasta made his first grade
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
debut on 2 June 2000 against the Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
at Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
filling in for the injured Jason Hetherington
Jason Hetherington
Jason Hetherington is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He established himself as a hooker, but he started his career off as a five-eighth. Hetherington played club football for the Gold Coast Chargers and the Bulldogs in Australia, winning a premiership with the...
. 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
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
.
Anasta's breakthrough season came in the 2001 NRL season
National Rugby League season 2001
The 2001 NRL season was the 94th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fourth run by the National Rugby League. The Newcastle Knights claimed their second premiership in five seasons, defeating minor premiers Parramatta Eels in the first ever night-time grand...
. 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. 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
2001 Kangaroo Tour
The 2001 Kangaroo Tour was almost abandoned due to the events of September 11, 2001. The tour was initially cancelled by the ARL but after strong public opinion in both Great Britain and Australia, it went ahead, though the only games played were the three tests, marking the first Kangaroo Tour to...
.
The 2002 season
National Rugby League season 2002
The 2002 NRL season was the 95th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fifth to be run by the National Rugby League...
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
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
if he was asked to take a pay cut by the Bulldogs. Despite this, the season was a good one for Anasta individually as he made his State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
debut, scored 10 tries and at 20 years and 145 days, became the youngest ever man to captain the Bulldogs.
In 2003
National Rugby League season 2003
The 2003 NRL premiership was the 96th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the sixth run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen teams competed, with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles returning in place of their failed joint-venture club, the Northern Eagles...
, 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.
The 2004
National Rugby League season 2004
The year 2004 NRL season was the 97th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the seventh run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen clubs competed for the Telstra Premiership...
season saw Anasta claim his first premiership ring as the Bulldogs beat his future club, the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
, 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
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
. At the end of the season, speculation was once again strong that Anasta was going to switch codes to rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and play for the New South Wales Waratahs
New South Wales Waratahs
The New South Wales Waratahs are an Australian rugby union football team, representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super 15 Super Rugby competition...
in 2005, however Anasta opted to stay with the Bulldogs.
2005
National Rugby League season 2005
The 2005 NRL season was the 98th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the eighth run by the National Rugby League. The lineup of clubs remained unchanged from the previous year, with fifteen clubs contesting the 2005 Telstra Premiership, which culminated in a grand final...
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, 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
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
at Mount Smart Stadium. Anasta played his final match for the Bulldogs on 4 September 2005 in a 32–12 loss to his future club, the Sydney Roosters.
Between 2000 and 2005, Anasta played 110 first grade matches for the Bulldogs, scoring 50 tries, kicking 2 goals and 10 field goals.
Sydney Roosters
After Anasta's contract with the Bulldogs expired, the Sydney RoostersSydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
and the South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
were seen as the two main contenders for his signature. The departure of Luke Ricketson
Luke Ricketson
Luke Ricketson is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and Ireland international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL...
, Michael Crocker
Michael Crocker
Michael Crocker is an Australian professional rugby league footballer with the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL...
, Jason Cayless
Jason Cayless
Jason Paul Cayless is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative prop forward, he is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels great, Nathan Cayless. He played his club football for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002...
, Chris Walker and Brett Firman
Brett Firman
Brett Firman is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 2000s. He now plays for the Helensburgh Tigers of the Illawarra Rugby League. He previously played in the National Rugby League, primarily in the halves, for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, North...
ahead of the 2006 season allowed the Roosters to table a sizeable offer for Anasta. After months of speculation, on 13 July 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
Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
".
Anasta made his debut for the Sydney Roosters on 12 March 2006 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
at Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
. 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. 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
National Rugby League season 2007
The 2007 NRL season was the one hundredth season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the tenth run by the National Rugby League...
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. 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
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
for Player of the Year as well as the Supporters Club Player of the Year Award. 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
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
forward David Fa'alogo
David Fa'alogo
David Fa'alogo is a professional rugby league footballer with the Huddersfield Giants of Super League, formerly contracted with the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
in what he described as a "coward act". 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.
Partnering Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
in the halves, the 2008 season
National Rugby League season 2008
The 2008 NRL season was the 101st season of professional rugby league club competition in Australia, and the eleventh run by the National Rugby League. For the second year, sixteen teams competed for the 2008 Telstra Premiership title. The season commenced with the first matches played on 14 March...
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 and continued to play well for the entire season helping the Roosters to a fourth placed finish and home final for the first time since 2004. Prior to the round 25 match versus the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Anasta was give the captaincy of the club.
In 2009, Anasta was sidelined with a season ending ankle injury in round 15 against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Now he is back in 2010 ready for the next season.
In the 2010 season he started off in the five-eighth position combining to form a lethal combination with Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
and Todd Carney
Todd Carney
Todd Carney is an Australian professional rugby league football player. Carney has represented Australia, Country New South Wales and, in the National Rugby League, the Canberra Raiders between 2003 and 2008, and the Sydney Roosters between 2010 and 2011...
which allowed the Roosters to have a firm hold onto a top eight position. Mid-Way through the season Braith was moved to the Lock position to allow Todd Carney to play in the halves. In the first final game against the West Tigers, Anasta played in a new position at second row and scored the crucial field goal leading up to golden point. During the finals series, increased speculation about a possible move to the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
because of his want to play in the halves after Todd Carney
Todd Carney
Todd Carney is an Australian professional rugby league football player. Carney has represented Australia, Country New South Wales and, in the National Rugby League, the Canberra Raiders between 2003 and 2008, and the Sydney Roosters between 2010 and 2011...
and Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
forced him to move into lock. However, he soon dismissed these claims, saying that he wanted to be a "Rooster for Life"
Anasta played in the 2010 NRL grand final
2010 NRL Grand Final
The 2010 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2010 NRL season. Played on Sunday, 3 October at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, the match was contested by the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters. It was the first time the two sides met in a grand final. They...
and scored a try, but it was not enough for the Roosters to defeat the Dragons.
On the 7th of March 2011 Sydney Roosters Chairman, Nick Politis, announced the re-signing of club captain Braith Anasta ensuring he will stay at the club for the next two seasons.
Representative football
While his Greek heritage makes him eligible to represent the Greek national rugby league teamGreece national rugby league team
The Greece national rugby league team represents Greece in rugby league football. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003, and have since become an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation.-History:...
he has represented Greece on one occasion, Anasta has pledged his allegiance to Australia. Since 2001, Anasta has played representative football for City Origin
City Origin Team
The City Origin Team is a representative rugby league team consisting of players formerly of the New South Wales Rugby League competition, one of two federations in the state of New South Wales...
, New South Wales and Australia. In his International Career he has played 5 games. 4 games for Australia and 1 game for Greece.
Australia
After his outstanding 2001 season, Anasta was selected in the Australian squad for the 2001 Kangaroo TourKangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian national rugby league team tours of Great Britain and France. The first Kangaroo Tour was in 1908. Traditionally, Kangaroo Tours took place every four years and involved a three-Test Ashes series against Great Britain and a number of tour matches...
. 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
Papua New Guinea national rugby league team
The Papua New Guinea national rugby league team represents Papua New Guinea internationally in the sport of rugby league football.In Papua New Guinea, Rugby league is highly popular and is regarded as the country’s national sport. The national side are known as the Kumuls...
at Lloyd Robson Oval
Lloyd Robson Oval
Lloyd Robson Oval is a sporting ground in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It hosted 3 games for the 1989 - 1992 Rugby League World Cup. It has been the home ground for the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team since 1982. It has a total capacity of just over 10,000 people.Llyod Robson Oval...
on 7 October 2001. He was then selected in every match of Australia's 2–1 Ashes triumph over Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
. 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.
In August, 2008, Anasta was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
New South Wales
Anasta has been a regular in the New South Wales team since 2002. He made his Origin debut on 22 May in Game One of the 2002 series2002 Rugby League State of Origin series
The 2002 State of Origin series was the 21st year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules...
, coming off the bench as the Blues easily beat Queensland 32–4. Anasta was promoted to start five-eighth for Game Two of the series, filling in for the injured Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
. While he scored his first Origin try in the match, the Blues lost 26–18 and the series was levelled at 1–1. 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
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
was preferred to Anasta as five-eighth for the 2003 series
2003 Rugby League State of Origin series
The 2003 State of Origin series was the 22nd year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules...
, however Anasta was selected as lock in Game Three after the Blues had already sealed the series. Anasta missed the 2004 series completely due to the return to representative football of Anasta's future coach, Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
.
While Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
was originally selected as New South Wales' five-eighth for the 2005 State of Origin series, his injury opened the door for Anasta to play in Game II. 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 III at Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
. Anasta played the first two matches of the 2006 State of Origin series, however was dropped for the final match after the Blues faced an embarrassing 30–6 loss in Game II. Despite this, Anasta returned for the first two matches of the 2007 State of Origin series before being ruled out for the third with a fractured finger.
Anasta has played 9 games for New South Wales, scoring 2 tries for 8 points.
City Origin
Anasta made his City OriginCity Origin Team
The City Origin Team is a representative rugby league team consisting of players formerly of the New South Wales Rugby League competition, one of two federations in the state of New South Wales...
debut on 16 May 2003 at Central Coast Stadium
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Central Coast Stadium, named Bluetongue Stadium due to sponsorship, is a sports venue in Gosford, on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The stadium is home to the Central Coast Mariners Football Club who compete in the A-League...
in a 17–16 win for City. This match perhaps contained the highlight of Anasta's entire City vs Country Origin
City vs Country Origin
City vs Country is an annual Australian rugby league football match that takes place in New South Wales between City and Country representative sides. The City side represents the Sydney metropolitan area...
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
Individual2001
National Rugby League season 2001
The 2001 NRL season was the 94th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fourth run by the National Rugby League. The Newcastle Knights claimed their second premiership in five seasons, defeating minor premiers Parramatta Eels in the first ever night-time grand...
: Dally M
Dally M Awards
The Dally M Awards are the official annual player awards for the National Rugby League competition. The most prestigious of these awards is the Dally M Medal which is only ever awarded to Australian born Players...
Rookie of the Year
2007
National Rugby League season 2007
The 2007 NRL season was the one hundredth season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the tenth run by the National Rugby League...
: Jack Gibson Medal
2007
National Rugby League season 2007
The 2007 NRL season was the one hundredth season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the tenth run by the National Rugby League...
: Supporters Club Player of the Year
2004
National Rugby League season 2004
The year 2004 NRL season was the 97th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the seventh run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen clubs competed for the Telstra Premiership...
: Premiers (Bulldogs)
2008
National Rugby League season 2008
The 2008 NRL season was the 101st season of professional rugby league club competition in Australia, and the eleventh run by the National Rugby League. For the second year, sixteen teams competed for the 2008 Telstra Premiership title. The season commenced with the first matches played on 14 March...
: Players Player of the Year.
2010: Dally M
Dally M Awards
The Dally M Awards are the official annual player awards for the National Rugby League competition. The most prestigious of these awards is the Dally M Medal which is only ever awarded to Australian born Players...
Captain of the Year
First Grade Debut(NRL): vs. Parramatta Eels, 2 June 2000
State of Origin Debut: 22 May 2002
Point Scoring Summary – Bulldogs/Roosters(NRL)
| Season | Appearance | Interchange | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000(Bulldogs) | – | 1 | – | – | – | 0 |
| 2001(Bulldogs) | 21 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 55 |
| 2002(Bulldogs) | 17 | – | 10 | – | 2 | 42 |
| 2003(Bulldogs) | 19 | – | 8 | – | 2 | 34 |
| 2004(Bulldogs) | 25 | 1 | 8 | – | 2 | 34 |
| 2005(Bulldogs) | 23 | – | 11 | 1 | 3 | 49 |
| 2006(Roosters) | 16 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 2007(Roosters) | 19 | – | 5 | – | 2 | 22 |
| 2008(Roosters) | 25 | – | 11 | 5 | 1 | 55 |