Braith Anasta has a chance to end the finals hopes of his future teammates and celebrate the milestone of a current ally on Sunday.
But the Sydney Roosters skipper is choosing to dedicate his efforts to the latter when his side take on Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium.
A loss would push Tim Sheens’ Tigers even further into the dogfight that is the rush for the last two finals spot.
But Anasta, who will join the Tigers in the off-season, says he is not interested in the prospect of spoiling their finals charge – preferring instead to enjoy his final home game as a Rooster and teammate Anthony Minichiello’s 250th NRL game.
“It’s not about (ruining the Tigers’ finals chances),” Anasta told reporters on Friday.
“They want to win because they want to make the semis and we want to win because we need to get some respect back.
“But also being my last (home) game and Mini’s 250th, it’s a special day for us and it’s an important day for them.
“They’ll treat it how they want and we’ll treat it how we want.”
Anasta, who has spent seven seasons at the tricolours, admitted Sunday’s fixture will be an emotional one.
“It’s been an emotional year,” he said.
“I’ve been here for a long time and I’ve got a lot of great memories.
“I love the place so I will always hold it close to my heart.
“Life does go on, new challenges and new goals and new beginning next year that I’m also excited about too.”
Minichiello will take his place at fullback after beating a grade three striking charge, resulting from his send-off against Canberra last round, at the NRL judiciary.
Anasta said no one at the club initially expected Minichiello to face the Tigers.
Minichiello, who admitted the tackle that left Josh Dugan dazed and bleeding was careless, said he was lucky the charge was graded as “striking” rather than as a high tackle.
“If they graded it differently then I probably would have been missing a game or two,” he said.
Minichiello said it was a great honour to have played all 250 games at the one club, and also expressed his sadness at this being Anasta’s last season at the Roosters.
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