Braith Anasta

Souths junior was recommended to the Bulldogs by his uncle, Souths president George Piggins, after the exclusion of the Rabbitohs from the 2000 NRL competition. Anasta made his first grade debut that year but was not originally named in the Bulldogs first grade squad for 2001. A series of scintillating displays coming off the interchange bench saw him make the first grade five-eighth position his own in 2001. Anasta formed a great partnership with the experienced Darrell Trindall until a broken thumb and an ankle injury ruled him out of the club’s elimination final against Cronulla. A prodigious talent, the ‘Dally M’ Rookie of the Year represented Australia U’19s before being chosen on the Kangaroo Tour. Anasta made his Test debut from the bench against Papua New Guinea in October. On the shortened Kangaroo Tour he showed his class in three appearances from the interchange bench (in the Second Test, at Huddersfield, he was forced to play winger following the injury to Lote Tuqiri). Despite sporadic appearances for NSW in the ensuing three seasons Anasta was unable to force his way back into the Australian Test team. In 2004 he was a vital part of the Bulldogs’ grand final success but following criticism of his form at five-eighth during the 2005 season, Anasta signed with the Sydney Roosters in 2006 where he again represented NSW.