B-Train
Kennel Immortal
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Eamonn Tiernann - FoxSports
The Roosters have a storied history of getting their man, with Storm hooker Brandon Smith about to join a long and illustrious list.
Smith is just the latest in a series of NRL stars who have defected to the Roosters over the years - and one of those big-name signings has revealed the secret to the club’s success.
Premiership winner Braith Anasta said once the Tricolours lock onto a player, it becomes “very hard” for rival clubs to compete.
Anasta made his own highly-publicised move from the Bulldogs to the Roosters in 2006 and has told foxsports.com.au how the club separates itself from the chasing pack.
Start digging into how the Roosters manage to time and again sign the best players in the competition and the conversation always circles back to one name.
Nick Politis.
Politis is one of Australia’s most successful and well-connected businessmen, making his millions in the motor vehicle industry.
The billionaire became chairman of the Roosters in 1993 and has built a culture in Bondi of looking after not just the footballer but the person.
The Roosters’ salary cap - often dubbed a sombrero by rival fans - has been questioned for years but Anasta said the club’s success is built on a foundation that harnesses Politis’ connections.
THE SIGNINGS
Smith is set to join a host of other big names the Roosters have signed in recent years, which includes Sonny Bill Williams, Cooper Cronk, James Tedesco, Angus Crichton, Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii.
SBW famously returned to the NRL in 2013 to honour a handshake deal he made with Politis, rejecting millions of dollars on offer in rugby union.
The dual international refused to break his bond with Politis and it paid dividends as the Roosters won the premiership in Williams’ first season.
Cronk moved to Sydney for personal reasons and just about every NSW club was jostling into position to land his signature.
But once again the Roosters prevailed after ‘Uncle Nick’ organised a $30,000 grant for Cronk to apply for a business degree at the prestigious Harvard University.
In 2017, Politis refused to deal with Tedesco’s then-manager Isaac Moses after another of his clients, Mitchell Moses, reneged on a deal to join the Roosters.
But Politis worked around the problem and still managed to sign the highly sought-after Tedesco, who has become one of the best players in the game.
Crichton was an established Origin player when the Roosters poached him from arch rivals South Sydney at the end of 2018, yet another Politis coup.
THE MAN
Anasta - who played in the 2010 grand final for the Roosters - said Politis has played a major role in his life.
“Nick Politis is a mentor of mine and he’s such an impressive human being,” Anasta told foxsports.com.au.
“Everyone only hears about the success he’s had as a businessman but he’s also had a lot of success at the club and I would say nearly all of that is due to his input and how passionate he is.
“So when a guy like him approaches you and wants you at their club, it’s a huge honour and I understand how it would have the impact it’s had on Brendan. It’s hard not to.
“He’s such a genuine human being, anyone who has worked with Nick first-hand and worked closely with him knows he’s so impressive, he’s so genuine.
“You hear all the stories and all that but at the end of the day the guy really cares about you and he’s like a father figure, really.
“He’s like that to everyone at the club, from players to staff, so it doesn’t surprise me (about Smith), having been in that position before myself.”
THE CLUB
Anasta stopped short saying the Roosters are unbeatable when it comes to signing players, but he detailed why they have such a competitive edge.
Anasta said few clubs can match the opportunities the Roosters provide for life after football. But he also emphasised it was up to the person to make the most of the connections at their disposal.
“No club can guarantee to set you up for life, that’s up to the individual,” he said.
“But they’ll teach you what you need to learn, they’ll put you into contact with the right people and they’ll give you opportunities you probably couldn’t get elsewhere.
“You’ve got (Mark) Bouris, (David) Gyngell, (Mark) Fennessy and Steggles, all these guys who are the most successful businessmen in the world in what they do.”
Multi-millionaire finance guru Bouris wined and dined Smith at the famously-exclusive Bondi restaurant Totti’s.
The pair drank beers, ate lobster and barely spoke about football as Smith picked the brain of the famous entrepreneur.
“To be introduced to those guys... just to have access to them first-hand, you do what you want with it but the connections you do make at the club... it’s a true powerhouse,” Anasta said.
“But that’s also the smarts of Nick Politis creating that environment that he’s got these guys who are so passionate about the club.
“They are powerful figures that are extremely successful and they can help these players and mentor these guys and when they do retire.
“They can help set you up for life and a lot of players aren’t, a lot players don’t do the right thing with their money and their investments.
“You can’t deny it, that (support network) is really hard to replace and the Roosters have got that.
“If the Roosters go for a player, they’re not unbeatable but it’s very hard for other clubs. It’s very hard.
“And for all the reasons I just mentioned and that’s because they’ve created that and it’s deserved, it’s no fluke.”
Former Roosters board member Gyngell said when Politis became chairman he took the club from “the bones of its arse” to one of the richest in the competition.
“His biggest asset isn’t his money, it’s the time he gives you,” Gyngell told the SMH.
“It’s easy for people to think we get players because Nick pays.
“It’s because of the personal time he puts into people. He does it for the love of the Roosters.
“And he loves the Roosters.”
THE COACH
For all the plaudits about Politis, he is also supported by Roosters coach Trent Robinson who is considered a contemporary rugby league mastermind.
But ask his players and they’ll tell you Robinson’s knowledge expands well beyond football.
The 44-year-old speaks fluent French at home with his wife - who he met while playing for Toulouse - and their children.
Robinson invited Smith into the family home last Friday night to make pizza and drink fine red wine.
The pair didn’t discuss football until four hours into the visit.
Robinson is well-versed in Aboriginal, Polynesian and Maori culture - something not lost on Smith who is a proud Maori man.
Smith was so impressed with Robinson that he blurted out on podcast this week he wants to win a premiership in a Roosters jersey, despite having a year to run on his Melbourne contract.
The 25-year-old will almost certainly join the Roosters in 2023 and try to win Robinson his fourth NRL premiership in a decade.
“Robbo arrived at the club when I was there and he was assistant when we got to the grand final in 2010 - and talk about impressive humans,” Anasta said.
“The success that Robbo’s had is no surprise so I think a lot of that player-person culture comes from him. That’s definitely something the Roosters push and for good reason.
“They’ve had success and they know what success looks like and tastes like and that’s because they do put a lot of emphasis into their team and players and personally caring about the individual and I think every club could learn from that.
“That’s why the Roosters may get a player like Smith and pay less for than say Redcliffe (Dolphins) would or another club, just because of that.”
The Roosters have a storied history of getting their man, with Storm hooker Brandon Smith about to join a long and illustrious list.
Smith is just the latest in a series of NRL stars who have defected to the Roosters over the years - and one of those big-name signings has revealed the secret to the club’s success.
Premiership winner Braith Anasta said once the Tricolours lock onto a player, it becomes “very hard” for rival clubs to compete.
Anasta made his own highly-publicised move from the Bulldogs to the Roosters in 2006 and has told foxsports.com.au how the club separates itself from the chasing pack.
Start digging into how the Roosters manage to time and again sign the best players in the competition and the conversation always circles back to one name.
Nick Politis.
Politis is one of Australia’s most successful and well-connected businessmen, making his millions in the motor vehicle industry.
The billionaire became chairman of the Roosters in 1993 and has built a culture in Bondi of looking after not just the footballer but the person.
The Roosters’ salary cap - often dubbed a sombrero by rival fans - has been questioned for years but Anasta said the club’s success is built on a foundation that harnesses Politis’ connections.
THE SIGNINGS
Smith is set to join a host of other big names the Roosters have signed in recent years, which includes Sonny Bill Williams, Cooper Cronk, James Tedesco, Angus Crichton, Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii.
SBW famously returned to the NRL in 2013 to honour a handshake deal he made with Politis, rejecting millions of dollars on offer in rugby union.
The dual international refused to break his bond with Politis and it paid dividends as the Roosters won the premiership in Williams’ first season.
Cronk moved to Sydney for personal reasons and just about every NSW club was jostling into position to land his signature.
But once again the Roosters prevailed after ‘Uncle Nick’ organised a $30,000 grant for Cronk to apply for a business degree at the prestigious Harvard University.
In 2017, Politis refused to deal with Tedesco’s then-manager Isaac Moses after another of his clients, Mitchell Moses, reneged on a deal to join the Roosters.
But Politis worked around the problem and still managed to sign the highly sought-after Tedesco, who has become one of the best players in the game.
Crichton was an established Origin player when the Roosters poached him from arch rivals South Sydney at the end of 2018, yet another Politis coup.
THE MAN
Anasta - who played in the 2010 grand final for the Roosters - said Politis has played a major role in his life.
“Nick Politis is a mentor of mine and he’s such an impressive human being,” Anasta told foxsports.com.au.
“Everyone only hears about the success he’s had as a businessman but he’s also had a lot of success at the club and I would say nearly all of that is due to his input and how passionate he is.
“So when a guy like him approaches you and wants you at their club, it’s a huge honour and I understand how it would have the impact it’s had on Brendan. It’s hard not to.
“He’s such a genuine human being, anyone who has worked with Nick first-hand and worked closely with him knows he’s so impressive, he’s so genuine.
“You hear all the stories and all that but at the end of the day the guy really cares about you and he’s like a father figure, really.
“He’s like that to everyone at the club, from players to staff, so it doesn’t surprise me (about Smith), having been in that position before myself.”
THE CLUB
Anasta stopped short saying the Roosters are unbeatable when it comes to signing players, but he detailed why they have such a competitive edge.
Anasta said few clubs can match the opportunities the Roosters provide for life after football. But he also emphasised it was up to the person to make the most of the connections at their disposal.
“No club can guarantee to set you up for life, that’s up to the individual,” he said.
“But they’ll teach you what you need to learn, they’ll put you into contact with the right people and they’ll give you opportunities you probably couldn’t get elsewhere.
“You’ve got (Mark) Bouris, (David) Gyngell, (Mark) Fennessy and Steggles, all these guys who are the most successful businessmen in the world in what they do.”
Multi-millionaire finance guru Bouris wined and dined Smith at the famously-exclusive Bondi restaurant Totti’s.
The pair drank beers, ate lobster and barely spoke about football as Smith picked the brain of the famous entrepreneur.
“To be introduced to those guys... just to have access to them first-hand, you do what you want with it but the connections you do make at the club... it’s a true powerhouse,” Anasta said.
“But that’s also the smarts of Nick Politis creating that environment that he’s got these guys who are so passionate about the club.
“They are powerful figures that are extremely successful and they can help these players and mentor these guys and when they do retire.
“They can help set you up for life and a lot of players aren’t, a lot players don’t do the right thing with their money and their investments.
“You can’t deny it, that (support network) is really hard to replace and the Roosters have got that.
“If the Roosters go for a player, they’re not unbeatable but it’s very hard for other clubs. It’s very hard.
“And for all the reasons I just mentioned and that’s because they’ve created that and it’s deserved, it’s no fluke.”
Former Roosters board member Gyngell said when Politis became chairman he took the club from “the bones of its arse” to one of the richest in the competition.
“His biggest asset isn’t his money, it’s the time he gives you,” Gyngell told the SMH.
“It’s easy for people to think we get players because Nick pays.
“It’s because of the personal time he puts into people. He does it for the love of the Roosters.
“And he loves the Roosters.”
THE COACH
For all the plaudits about Politis, he is also supported by Roosters coach Trent Robinson who is considered a contemporary rugby league mastermind.
But ask his players and they’ll tell you Robinson’s knowledge expands well beyond football.
The 44-year-old speaks fluent French at home with his wife - who he met while playing for Toulouse - and their children.
Robinson invited Smith into the family home last Friday night to make pizza and drink fine red wine.
The pair didn’t discuss football until four hours into the visit.
Robinson is well-versed in Aboriginal, Polynesian and Maori culture - something not lost on Smith who is a proud Maori man.
Smith was so impressed with Robinson that he blurted out on podcast this week he wants to win a premiership in a Roosters jersey, despite having a year to run on his Melbourne contract.
The 25-year-old will almost certainly join the Roosters in 2023 and try to win Robinson his fourth NRL premiership in a decade.
“Robbo arrived at the club when I was there and he was assistant when we got to the grand final in 2010 - and talk about impressive humans,” Anasta said.
“The success that Robbo’s had is no surprise so I think a lot of that player-person culture comes from him. That’s definitely something the Roosters push and for good reason.
“They’ve had success and they know what success looks like and tastes like and that’s because they do put a lot of emphasis into their team and players and personally caring about the individual and I think every club could learn from that.
“That’s why the Roosters may get a player like Smith and pay less for than say Redcliffe (Dolphins) would or another club, just because of that.”
