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can we go all the way? Braith thinks so.
Rebuilding year? Anasta wants Roosters to 'win the comp'
GLENN JACKSON
March 22, 2010
.BRAITH ANASTA doesn't want to get carried away, but what the heck…
''There's potential here to do anything,'' the Sydney Roosters captain said. ''To say we'd just be happy to make the semis, I don't know.
''The sky's the limit when you start playing good footy, and the confidence starts building around the club.
''I want to win the comp. I know what it takes to win the comp, and it's not easy. It's a long process, and we're not there yet. But there's no reason why we can't, if we keep playing well and make the semis.''
Which is why Anasta doesn't believe in the whole concept of this being a rebuilding year.
The Roosters are the incumbent wooden-spooners and conducted a coach and player clean-out as a result, but the five-eighth sees no reason why last year's basket case can't quickly become a strong unit rather than simply one with a solid foundation. Yesterday's 44-32 win over Wests Tigers, a second-straight victory to open the season, is certainly a good sign despite the fact the squad flaked in the heat towards the end of the encounter.
''I don't think we've hit our straps yet,'' Anasta warned. ''As you can see at the end there, we dropped off.
''We've got plenty which we can improve on, and our attack's going to get better and better, which is dangerous. When you look at that, you get a bit excited.''
If Anasta needs inspiration for his desire to quickly rise from outhouse to penthouse, he need look no further than his next opponent, his old club, the Bulldogs, who were wooden-spooners in 2008 but - with a new coach - reached the preliminary finals last year.
''It's definitely possible, and the evidence is the Bulldogs,'' Anasta said.
''What they did last year was outstanding, and it's a credit to them. I suppose it's similar, because we've wiped the slate clean; we've got a whole new coaching staff, we've got new players. We have changed everything here. There are similarities there.
''If we can go as well as they did last year, fantastic. That is something we can aspire to. We don't talk about it though. If it happens, it happens.''
Nate Myles, another experienced Rooster who has survived the cull and appears to be refreshed as a result of the changes, was more cautious.
''It is possible, because the Dogs did it last year, but we've really got to knock out some of the rubbish that we had [yesterday],'' Myles said.
''I think we might have got a little bit carried away there with the way we fell off in that game there, but there's still a long way to go.''
But to underline just how much he feels his side can improve, Anasta uses the example of the three playmakers; himself, halfback Mitchell Pearce and fullback Todd Carney, who have played just two matches together.
''It's potent,'' Anasta said of the combination. ''There's three of us floating around the field, and once we can nut out our game, we can get better with our attack,'' Anasta said.
''It just feels so good out there. I don't see any reason why it can't improve. Toddy and Pearcey are probably the most in-form players in the comp, and they've probably got the most potential too. They're only going to improve. I've just got to try and steer the ship a bit and try and keep a cool head.''
They will need to improve, according to Anasta. If before round one you had suggested that, heading into next Sunday's clash at ANZ Stadium, that it would be the Roosters undefeated and the Bulldogs unable to win any of their two opening encounters, you might have been committed. But Anasta is wary of the wounded Dog, realising they will be committed in a different sense.
''The Bulldogs are a strong club,'' Anasta said. ''They're always fighting. I know what they're like, I've been a part of it.
''I know that this week will be a totally different team to the last couple of weeks.''
GLENN JACKSON
March 22, 2010
.BRAITH ANASTA doesn't want to get carried away, but what the heck…
''There's potential here to do anything,'' the Sydney Roosters captain said. ''To say we'd just be happy to make the semis, I don't know.
''The sky's the limit when you start playing good footy, and the confidence starts building around the club.
''I want to win the comp. I know what it takes to win the comp, and it's not easy. It's a long process, and we're not there yet. But there's no reason why we can't, if we keep playing well and make the semis.''
Which is why Anasta doesn't believe in the whole concept of this being a rebuilding year.
The Roosters are the incumbent wooden-spooners and conducted a coach and player clean-out as a result, but the five-eighth sees no reason why last year's basket case can't quickly become a strong unit rather than simply one with a solid foundation. Yesterday's 44-32 win over Wests Tigers, a second-straight victory to open the season, is certainly a good sign despite the fact the squad flaked in the heat towards the end of the encounter.
''I don't think we've hit our straps yet,'' Anasta warned. ''As you can see at the end there, we dropped off.
''We've got plenty which we can improve on, and our attack's going to get better and better, which is dangerous. When you look at that, you get a bit excited.''
If Anasta needs inspiration for his desire to quickly rise from outhouse to penthouse, he need look no further than his next opponent, his old club, the Bulldogs, who were wooden-spooners in 2008 but - with a new coach - reached the preliminary finals last year.
''It's definitely possible, and the evidence is the Bulldogs,'' Anasta said.
''What they did last year was outstanding, and it's a credit to them. I suppose it's similar, because we've wiped the slate clean; we've got a whole new coaching staff, we've got new players. We have changed everything here. There are similarities there.
''If we can go as well as they did last year, fantastic. That is something we can aspire to. We don't talk about it though. If it happens, it happens.''
Nate Myles, another experienced Rooster who has survived the cull and appears to be refreshed as a result of the changes, was more cautious.
''It is possible, because the Dogs did it last year, but we've really got to knock out some of the rubbish that we had [yesterday],'' Myles said.
''I think we might have got a little bit carried away there with the way we fell off in that game there, but there's still a long way to go.''
But to underline just how much he feels his side can improve, Anasta uses the example of the three playmakers; himself, halfback Mitchell Pearce and fullback Todd Carney, who have played just two matches together.
''It's potent,'' Anasta said of the combination. ''There's three of us floating around the field, and once we can nut out our game, we can get better with our attack,'' Anasta said.
''It just feels so good out there. I don't see any reason why it can't improve. Toddy and Pearcey are probably the most in-form players in the comp, and they've probably got the most potential too. They're only going to improve. I've just got to try and steer the ship a bit and try and keep a cool head.''
They will need to improve, according to Anasta. If before round one you had suggested that, heading into next Sunday's clash at ANZ Stadium, that it would be the Roosters undefeated and the Bulldogs unable to win any of their two opening encounters, you might have been committed. But Anasta is wary of the wounded Dog, realising they will be committed in a different sense.
''The Bulldogs are a strong club,'' Anasta said. ''They're always fighting. I know what they're like, I've been a part of it.
''I know that this week will be a totally different team to the last couple of weeks.''
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