Anasta - A Lock or 5/8?

[Guest]

The reality is Anasta will be shifting to lock next year to accomodate for Carney, assuming Carney is fit and off the booze..

Its been an interesting talking point since 2006, and maybe earlier, as to where Anasta is most suited to 5/8 or lock? I think he had stated he prefers 5/8 after Andersons experiment at the start of 2007?

I personally havent been able to make up my mind on this, I used to believe he would make a better lock, but one thing that I agree with is Anasta doesnt fit the current mould for Locks you generally see in the NRL these days. Current teams have a workaholic type of player, defensively a very strong at lock, players who make alot of tackles, and who can shift and play second row, basically second rowers..

Current locks:
Dallas Johnson
Alan Tongue
Paul Gallen
Neville Costigan
Luke O'Donnell
Ashley Harrison
David Stagg
Craig Fitzgibbon
Corey Parker
Micheal Luck

It will be interesting to see how Anasta responds with being at lock and not being directy involved at the start of attacking plays.. He will bring another dimension in terms of our attack, I am very curious to see how it will affect his game, because he has generally been the leading and directing attack most of his career?

[Guest]

i think we wont play the convential lock position. i believe he will still be like a second 5/8, giving us 3 ball players with carney n pearce. i believe this will give us plenty of attacking options. something we have lacked this year.

[Guest]

The reality is Anasta will be shifting to lock next year to accomodate for Carney, assuming Carney is fit and off the booze..

Its been an interesting talking point since 2006, and maybe earlier, as to where Anasta is most suited to 5/8 or lock? I think he had stated he prefers 5/8 after Andersons experiment at the start of 2007?

I personally havent been able to make up my mind on this, I used to believe he would make a better lock, but one thing that I agree with is Anasta doesnt fit the current mould for Locks you generally see in the NRL these days. Current teams have a workaholic type of player, defensively a very strong at lock, players who make alot of tackles, and who can shift and play second row, basically second rowers..

Current locks:
Dallas Johnson
Alan Tongue
Paul Gallen
Neville Costigan
Luke O'Donnell
Ashley Harrison
David Stagg
Craig Fitzgibbon
Corey Parker
Micheal Luck

It will be interesting to see how Anasta responds with being at lock and not being directy involved at the start of attacking plays.. He will bring another dimension in terms of our attack, I am very curious to see how it will affect his game, because he has generally been the leading and directing attack most of his career?

Very thoughtful post. The plan seems like a nod to the past but also should bear in mind that the key to good backrowers these days is the ability to do something with the ball in attack.

Our backrow has lacked creativity this year with the loss of Toups and Cherro being injured. Maybe developing this creativity might re-position our attack. Interesting to see if Braith helps this or just gets tangled up with the halves.

Personally, I think if he gets to play a genuine ballrunning role while Pearce and Carney form a proper 6/7 combo he will be just about unstoppable.

[Guest]

Anasta has always been a better ball runner. At 5/8 he has always played best when he is running the ball, and taking on the line. Rather than trying to be a ball player. Even off the ball (Eg. Kick chases and contesting bombs), he has always been a better ball runner

I think lock would suit him. He is solid in defense, is a great ball runner and has some passing/kicking skills

Although saying that. I still think 5/8 is his best position!

[Guest]

A backrow of Setaimata Sa, Mitch Aubusson and Braith Anasta will give us skillful players all over the field, all able to link up with the backline if needed without stunting a backline movement. Have Cherrington and Symonds coming off the bench too, an we have skill everywhere.

[Guest]

A backrow of Setaimata Sa, Mitch Aubusson and Braith Anasta will give us skillful players all over the field, all able to link up with the backline if needed without stunting a backline movement. Have Cherrington and Symonds coming off the bench too, an we have skill everywhere.

i agree, but for this to happen freddy actually has to move sa from the centres which he seems to have trouble doing.

also, with so much skill everywhere next year imo it makes it harder for us to gel together. i believe we will start gelling together around round 7 or 8 next season. but if and when we do i think we will be a real premiership threat next year.

very very exciting

[Guest]

A backrow of Setaimata Sa, Mitch Aubusson and Braith Anasta will give us skillful players all over the field, all able to link up with the backline if needed without stunting a backline movement. Have Cherrington and Symonds coming off the bench too, an we have skill everywhere.

Mitch is not a second rower. Does not have the metres in him or size to play second row.

A back 3 with that combo places too much pressure on our front row to eat the metres. Cherro starting will ease that pressure

I now have reservations about Anasta at lock IF Carney joins us. $400K on a lock forward is too much and I have doubt that he is capable of being a workhorse in defence. IMO, Mitch Aubs would be a better fit at lock

[Guest]

I think when Carney arrives and Braith moves to lock we will have a great scrumbase trio. The reason it didn't work earlier this year is the lack of a 5/8.

If Braith can pick and choose when to inject himself as a Ball runner and have a choice which side of the ruck in attack he wants to stand then he could be a very dangerous player indeed.

The biggest problem the 3 of them will face is who gets final say in the call. Hopefully no ones ego gets too out of joint if they are relegated to 3rd in that hierarchy?

[Guest]

Mitch is not a second rower. Does not have the metres in him or size to play second row.

A back 3 with that combo places too much pressure on our front row to eat the metres. Cherro starting will ease that pressure

I now have reservations about Anasta at lock IF Carney joins us. $400K on a lock forward is too much and I have doubt that he is capable of being a workhorse in defence. IMO, Mitch Aubs would be a better fit at lock

Not to mention the $400,000 Carney will be getting as well

[Roosterfarian]

He would have already got half of the $400K playing for Atherton this season mun .

They don't have a salary cap up that way.

[Pass the Ball]

Fact - It was Ricky Stuart that talked about moving him to lock and Anderson went along with it...

[novice chook]

Does it really matter?

Lock and 5/8 are interchangeable nowdays.

Manly won a comp with Menzies/Lyon/whoever at 5/8.

Fact is, the specialty 5/8 has basically been lost to the game, apart from a select few.

And we might wait and see if the drunkard can stay off the grog long enough to play a competitive game for us before we include him in our plans. I reckon he'll last about a month in Sydney before he finds trouble and the NRL may well step in and de-register him again for a further year, whether the Roosters agree or not.


NC

[Guest]

I believe a good Lock is someone who can shift the ball. eg. like another half. Kick, create opportunities and can tackle well.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW ANASTA PULLS UP AT IT NEXT YR.

[Guest]

Does it really matter?

Lock and 5/8 are interchangeable nowdays.

Manly won a comp with Menzies/Lyon/whoever at 5/8.

Fact is, the specialty 5/8 has basically been lost to the game, apart from a select few.

And we might wait and see if the drunkard can stay off the grog long enough to play a competitive game for us before we include him in our plans. I reckon he'll last about a month in Sydney before he finds trouble and the NRL may well step in and de-register him again for a further year, whether the Roosters agree or not.



NC

i agree with what you are saying, and i believe todd carney is one of these specialist 5/8. i mean todd carney cannot play lock!!!

[Guest]

Centre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!