The Bandit
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Smith to Roosters, Anasta to lock
By Brent Read
July 19, 2006
BRETT Finch may not be the only Sydney Roosters player on the move next season as Braith Anasta is set to make a permanent switch to lock as the Bondi Junction club looks to turn its dwindling fortunes around.
The Australian understands the Roosters are exploring the option of shifting Anasta, the New South Wales five-eighth in the opening two State of Origin games this winter, to the back of the scrum in 2007 as part of a reshuffle designed to rejuvenate the club.
Any move, however, would hinge on coach Ricky Stuart's ability to find a suitable replacement.
Canberra's veteran pivot Jason Smith shapes as the ideal successor. His experience would allow Stuart to offset the relative inexperience of his three young halfbacks - Mitchell Pearce, Josh Lewis and Jamie Soward.
While the Roosters have consistently distanced themselves from the former Queensland and Australia utility player, they are making moves to have room for him under the salary cap.
Halfback Finch is definitely on the way out despite Stuart suggesting on Sunday that the Blues' hero in Game I of the Origin series had a future at the club.
Finch officially received permission on Monday to look elsewhere and several clubs have already expressed an interest in acquiring his services.
"We're receptive to approaches his manager puts to us in the best interests of Brett's future," Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said.
The Roosters have also released English forward Mark Edmondson from the second year of his contract so he can join English Super League club Salford.
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His absence is likely to be offset by the recruitment of Bulldogs forward Nate Myles.
Myles delayed a decision on his future for a further 48 hours yesterday but it's understood his manager, Gavin Orr, has told clubs his client will choose between North Queensland and the Roosters.
Orr informed the Wests Tigers yesterday afternoon that Myles would not be joining the premiers next season while Gold Coast officially withdrew from the race after signing his Bulldogs team-mate Daniel Conn.
Titans' coach John Cartwright compared Conn to former Canterbury, NSW and Australia forward David "Cement" Gillespie.
"He's a good style of a fellow and he's a very similar build to David Gillespie when he first appeared on the scene," said Cartwright.
"I've watched him play and for a kid who is 20, he's achieved a lot in the game already."
Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle confirmed the club had decided not to press ahead with plans to sign Myles.
"We wish him all the best for the immediate future," Searle said.
"We are sure whatever decision he makes will be the right one."
Meanwhile, French club Catalans remains confident that Canberra and Queensland centre Adam Mogg will join it next season despite the Raiders attempting to convince him to stay in the national capital.
Mogg is expected to make a decision by the end of the week after signing a letter of intent to join Catalans.
"The club has no cause for concern," Catalans general manager Christophe Levy said.
"We are totally confident that Adam will be in Perpignan as planned for the start of pre-season training in November."
The Warriors have confirmed Manly five-eighth Michael Witt will join the club next season on a one-year deal.
The Australian
By Brent Read
July 19, 2006
BRETT Finch may not be the only Sydney Roosters player on the move next season as Braith Anasta is set to make a permanent switch to lock as the Bondi Junction club looks to turn its dwindling fortunes around.
The Australian understands the Roosters are exploring the option of shifting Anasta, the New South Wales five-eighth in the opening two State of Origin games this winter, to the back of the scrum in 2007 as part of a reshuffle designed to rejuvenate the club.
Any move, however, would hinge on coach Ricky Stuart's ability to find a suitable replacement.
Canberra's veteran pivot Jason Smith shapes as the ideal successor. His experience would allow Stuart to offset the relative inexperience of his three young halfbacks - Mitchell Pearce, Josh Lewis and Jamie Soward.
While the Roosters have consistently distanced themselves from the former Queensland and Australia utility player, they are making moves to have room for him under the salary cap.
Halfback Finch is definitely on the way out despite Stuart suggesting on Sunday that the Blues' hero in Game I of the Origin series had a future at the club.
Finch officially received permission on Monday to look elsewhere and several clubs have already expressed an interest in acquiring his services.
"We're receptive to approaches his manager puts to us in the best interests of Brett's future," Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said.
The Roosters have also released English forward Mark Edmondson from the second year of his contract so he can join English Super League club Salford.
Advertisement:
<A HREF="http://mercury.tiser.com.au/ADCLICK/CID=00001da1d589870600000000/acc_random=17652516/SITE=FOXS/AREA=SPORT.LEAGUE.STORY/AAMSZ=300X250/MAAMZ=/pageid=581394"><IMG SRC="http://saturn.tiser.com.au/images/REA_developer_apartment_BACKUP_300x250_01_02.gif" ALT="" WIDTH="300" HEIGHT="250" BORDER="0"></A>
His absence is likely to be offset by the recruitment of Bulldogs forward Nate Myles.
Myles delayed a decision on his future for a further 48 hours yesterday but it's understood his manager, Gavin Orr, has told clubs his client will choose between North Queensland and the Roosters.
Orr informed the Wests Tigers yesterday afternoon that Myles would not be joining the premiers next season while Gold Coast officially withdrew from the race after signing his Bulldogs team-mate Daniel Conn.
Titans' coach John Cartwright compared Conn to former Canterbury, NSW and Australia forward David "Cement" Gillespie.
"He's a good style of a fellow and he's a very similar build to David Gillespie when he first appeared on the scene," said Cartwright.
"I've watched him play and for a kid who is 20, he's achieved a lot in the game already."
Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle confirmed the club had decided not to press ahead with plans to sign Myles.
"We wish him all the best for the immediate future," Searle said.
"We are sure whatever decision he makes will be the right one."
Meanwhile, French club Catalans remains confident that Canberra and Queensland centre Adam Mogg will join it next season despite the Raiders attempting to convince him to stay in the national capital.
Mogg is expected to make a decision by the end of the week after signing a letter of intent to join Catalans.
"The club has no cause for concern," Catalans general manager Christophe Levy said.
"We are totally confident that Adam will be in Perpignan as planned for the start of pre-season training in November."
The Warriors have confirmed Manly five-eighth Michael Witt will join the club next season on a one-year deal.
The Australian