Sometimes you just have to call it as you see it even if their club cannot make the hard when the logic is clear. Roosters legends Mark Minichiello and club captain Braith Anasta have been passengers for over two years know but continue to be selected without question every week. Fans are asking why?
It is known that both players are very well connected to key Board members who have clearly sent a memo to the recruitment and coaching staff that the two veterans are never to be dropped.
I have been an admirer of both players during their outstanding careers and I am embarrassed for them as sadly each time they play more glitter falls off their resumes.
Simply put, the game has gone past them.
No one can blame them for wanting to play the game they love, and earn the money they are paid, but it is a key reason why the Roosters have gone from last year’s Grand Finalists to Wooden Spoon contenders.
Minichiello especially plays the key fullback position and is not rated in the top 20 number ones in the NRL, while Anasta is not tough enough to play in the forwards and is not fast enough to play in the backs, and when Carney is not available at is preferred 5/8th position the Roosters look pedestrian.
The Roosters have some of the smartest Rugby League brains in recruitment and coaching to ensure that players with a “past it” stamp on their forehead are moved on, so the question begs: why are these icons being protected?
Coach Brian Smith is famous for sacking big names and Recruitment General Manager Peter O’Sullivan is arguably the most astute judge of football talent in the NRL. They would have watched every second of every game Mini and Braith have played several times over. One plus one is not two here.
Here is some text messages I received during Sundays Roosters game against the Sharks: “How bad is Mini, just terrible”, “Anasta doesnt want the football any more” and “He doesnt back up through the middle, didnt know he was playing”.
This type of communication has been regular and ongoing for a while know, and it came from a guy who is a professional punter who makes a living from betting on the NRL.
Whoever it is protecting them is not doing them any favours as they should have both retired after the Grand Final with some dignity. It is too late now, their club has lost any chance of going one better this year and we can expect to see more of the same from two guys who were once loved and admired by fans.
No one enjoys watching a champion run unplaced.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Captain No one has ever said he is not a good captain. I have no doubt he offers excellent leadership, especially with the young kids. He managed to kick a field goal that managed to help his team into the Grand Final. OK it was a fluke but lets give him the credit. But Cap I watched everyone of his games last year 3 times and trust me when I tell you that his on field playing was NOT what you would expect of someone on 400k plus. I think the Roosters lost the GF for a few reasons including playing poor BJ on the left wing, but the main reason is that the Roosters played with one less forward than the Dragons. The Dragons played tuff up the middle and made good yards and hurt, while Braith basically played as a second left center. I dont think Wayne Bennett would have felt uneasy when he and Mini had the ball.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
mjpt Braith would have been very good in the UK. He would have to break up with Jodie Gordon to go so that would be one reason why he hasn't and the other is that the Board has made him Captain and he loves the role, especially when you see a big coloured glassed picture of yourself as you enter the SFS. Dont blame recruitment as both Mini and Braith were part of the furniture when Peter O'Sullivan started. Dont waste your time trying to find a position for Mini, because he is just incapable of busting a tackle and even if he did he would get run down. Shame but true. The Roosters Board are the smartest and dumbest in the NRL. Anyone can make a mistake, but only a fool keeps on making the same mistake when it becomes clear that it is a mistake.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Based on 2011 form I would rate all those guys in front of Mini and I am sure that stats would supports that, even Presto, who is just about gone, and Shannon McDonnell wud rate higher. You can also add,Steve Turner, Kyle Stanley, Corey Norman, Josh Hoffman, Nathan Massey, James Roberts, Wes Naigama, Glen Fisiiahi and Will Zillman. How many is that?
Captain Kickass
Guest
Braith Anasta single handedly carried the Roosters through the finals of 2010 with leadership and career best football. How soon some forget eh ?
mjpt
Guest
on point here scott. We have talked on Anasta before. I am anti anasta primarily because he has never really had a role that he can play dominantly. Just not a solid footy player. I keep asking why he is still in Oz but I do see that his media profile is high. thats the start of the end....when I saw him on NRL fox and then sidelining report for a sat night game (warriors v tigers) before his sunday match v manly, it told me where his priorities were. Get him out of the building. Recruitment at roosters is interesting. I think they only look at players in isolation without considering how they can contribute to team concepts. Result? high wage bill and ultimate failure within two or three years. Minichello is a runner, not a distributor. He needs the move to open the hole for him and burst through. If the centre or wing jam in on him, he does not have the ability to pass ball to player in space. Not a critique, its just way it is. If i was scouting roosters that would be the strike on mini. His biceps get in the way of his pass technique. Swap him and perrett around whenever Perrett gets back but its too late -roosters done. Smith does not trust his players-simple, he reverts to type when the heat goes on and becomes the school teacher that he is-todays generation of player won't take that unless you convince them. He wants order takers not debate, having not been top class player- he will never trust the players-thats why he banks on the wrong guys mini and anasta to get it done. WRONG
Gareth
Guest
I'll have a crack. In no particular order: Josh Dugan Preston Campbell Jarryd Hayne Billy Slater Gareth Widdop Darius Boyd Brett Stewart Will Hopoate Ben Barba Michael Gordon Lachlan Coote Gerard Beale Matt Bowen Tim Moltzen Wade McKinnon Lance Hohaia Kevin Locke Nathan Gardner Kurt Gidley Shannon McDonnell
MitchPilar
Roar Rookie
Top 20 fullbacks? interesting considering there is 16 teams
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Cicero Agreed. I cant blame him or Braith for having a crack. What I cannot understand is why are the Board allowing this to happen
Cicero
Guest
At his peak whenever Mini ran a ball back the crowd rose because you just knew something exceptional was about to happen. Not any more sadly and that's a pretty reliable yardstick. He probably stayed a season too long but still one of the greats in my book
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Charles You are correct with Mini - never been the same since his injury. Braith does not hurt anyone when he hits it up and doesnt make any breaks now.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
oikee Everyone id differnt. Those guys you mentioned have still got it, but not everyone has. It is relative.
Charles
Guest
In your opening you said Mark Minichello so had me puzzled about your article. Anthony Minichello was outstanding before his back injury and perhaps management have been patient with him showing faith in his talents. Braith Anasta is feeling left out not knowing where his role lies and this is where the coach has to define that. Perhaps lock forward or hooker should be something for him to consider for the rest of his career.
oikee
Guest
I answered you above Scott, send them both to the Broncos, i enjoy watching them both. I have no issue with age. Menzies and Petro, Lockyer and others are all still playing well. Experience is a greater value to teams taken for granted. Lockyer has not got the Broncos over the line sinse 2006. Who cares, he is a champion player, like Mini and Anasta. Celebrate it, dont knock the guys.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
josh I have zero interest what you take seriously. I am not a fan of any club although I was a foundation sponsor of the Storm. The pitch here is to not let former great players tarnish their reputations anymore. Disappointing that you just want to be negative.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Charles Yep, its Anthony.
oikee
Guest
I have to agree with you on Orford, never a fan, how he got the Dally M was a mystery to me. I wont back down on the other 2, i have not seen them do much wrong. I dont follow the roosters, i do watch them. Look, if you dont want Anasta, send him to the Broncos, i would be happy to have him at our club. Hey, send mini along also. :)
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Subbers Sadly I agree in everything you said. I am sure Braith would be fine in the UK where the game is slower, but I doubt that his girl friend would tag along.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
oikee BJ is 18 and has a wonderful future. You have gotten off track. No one has ever said that Braith is not a good skipper. The fact is he is paid a fortune and he does not play a key position and the positions he does play he is not suited to. Mini does not cost much as he is a 10 year veteran, but he has no speed and cannot bust a tackle. he just bounces off tacklers when he hits it up. Thats not want a team needs from their number 1 in 2011.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
oikee, I have been of this opinion now about Mini for probably 5 years and Braith at least 2. I admire them greatly for what they have achieved and have been hoping they would come good, but a time comes when you go past that line of never coming back. Time has caught up with them both, that is not just my opinion but every professional that i know and every ex player including a couple of ex Internationals. Like Orford in Canberra, we are dumbfounded how their clubs can justify them playing.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Willo You must be frustrated as I am sure the coaching staff are. This is not a close call, it is very clear to anyone that studies the game closely. Fans are entitled to ask questions.