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Roosters say they still want Brad Fittler as coach
By Andrew Webster and Steve Gee | June 22, 2009 12:00am
ROOSTERS coach Brad Fittler sought permission from captain Braith Anasta to embark on the drunken night that ended in police being called to a Townsville hotel.
But Anasta, who underwent season-ending surgery yesterday afternoon on a broken ankle, has backed the coach to remain despite persistent speculation Storm assistant Stephen Kearney is about to be spirited into the position.
"He asked me if the players would mind if he had a drink with the coaching staff on that night (last Thursday)," Anasta said. "I said we didn't mind at all. He got off at the wrong floor.
"What's happened doesn't change his coaching ability. He still has our respect and we still want him to coach."
Fittler is under growing pressure to retain his position. His side are screwed to the bottom of the ladder after six consecutive defeats, including Saturday night's 24-22 loss to the Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The defeat came after he fined himself $10,000 for the boozy night that ended on Friday at 3am with police called to the Holiday Inn. They found a shirtless Fittler trying to enter a room he believed was his - but he was on the wrong floor. It has done nothing to dismiss whispers that Kearney is poised to take the reins next year, although the Kiwi national coach's manager, Chris Orr, steadfastly denied negotiations had taken place with the Roosters.
"If the Roosters or any club come knocking, we will look at it," Orr said. "But Steve is in no hurry. He's not searching. Whatever job he decides to take, he will make sure it is the right one."
Fittler's coaching mentor, Phil Gould, hinted that a chance might be needed when he said on Channel 9's Sunday Roast: "They've been caught between a rock and a hard place over coaches in the last few years. The next decision they make about a coach has to be 100 per cent right."
Meanwhile, a dejected Anasta flew back into Sydney yesterday afternoon and straight to the Mater Hospital on the North Shore to undergo surgery on his ankle.
"I've had scans and it's a broken fibula and tibia, so it's not good," he said.
"At this stage, I hope to back for round one next year."
Anasta said he knew immediately the ankle was broken.
"I heard the crack so I knew I was in trouble," he said.
"It's disappointing. I'm not happy about it, but I've just got to deal with it, do some rehab and get myself back on track and come back bigger and better next year."
By Andrew Webster and Steve Gee | June 22, 2009 12:00am
ROOSTERS coach Brad Fittler sought permission from captain Braith Anasta to embark on the drunken night that ended in police being called to a Townsville hotel.
But Anasta, who underwent season-ending surgery yesterday afternoon on a broken ankle, has backed the coach to remain despite persistent speculation Storm assistant Stephen Kearney is about to be spirited into the position.
"He asked me if the players would mind if he had a drink with the coaching staff on that night (last Thursday)," Anasta said. "I said we didn't mind at all. He got off at the wrong floor.
"What's happened doesn't change his coaching ability. He still has our respect and we still want him to coach."
Fittler is under growing pressure to retain his position. His side are screwed to the bottom of the ladder after six consecutive defeats, including Saturday night's 24-22 loss to the Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The defeat came after he fined himself $10,000 for the boozy night that ended on Friday at 3am with police called to the Holiday Inn. They found a shirtless Fittler trying to enter a room he believed was his - but he was on the wrong floor. It has done nothing to dismiss whispers that Kearney is poised to take the reins next year, although the Kiwi national coach's manager, Chris Orr, steadfastly denied negotiations had taken place with the Roosters.
"If the Roosters or any club come knocking, we will look at it," Orr said. "But Steve is in no hurry. He's not searching. Whatever job he decides to take, he will make sure it is the right one."
Fittler's coaching mentor, Phil Gould, hinted that a chance might be needed when he said on Channel 9's Sunday Roast: "They've been caught between a rock and a hard place over coaches in the last few years. The next decision they make about a coach has to be 100 per cent right."
Meanwhile, a dejected Anasta flew back into Sydney yesterday afternoon and straight to the Mater Hospital on the North Shore to undergo surgery on his ankle.
"I've had scans and it's a broken fibula and tibia, so it's not good," he said.
"At this stage, I hope to back for round one next year."
Anasta said he knew immediately the ankle was broken.
"I heard the crack so I knew I was in trouble," he said.
"It's disappointing. I'm not happy about it, but I've just got to deal with it, do some rehab and get myself back on track and come back bigger and better next year."
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