- Made an explosive statement on The Bye Round podcast with James Graham
- Anasta made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2000 and joined the Roosters in 2006
- Made a successful transition to television and is also a top player agent
Rugby league identity Braith Anasta could be in hot water after saying in a podcast that the Sydney Roosters were cheating the NRL salary cap in the early 2000s.
Anasta, 41, who is the face of NRL 360 and also a player agent, made the extraordinary statement in a podcast with former Bulldogs star James Graham.
The premiership winner with Canterbury has spoken out about how brutal it was to see his 2002 season go up in flames after the club went over the salary cap.
Steve Folkes’ men – who before the penalty were favorites for the title – saw 37 points taken away. They were also fined $500,000 by the NRL.
They finished the year with the wooden spoon and were forced to watch their bitter rivals, the Roosters, win the competition.
Rugby league identity Braith Anasta could be in a sticky situation after stating in a podcast his belief the Sydney Roosters were cheating the NRL salary cap in the early 2000s.
Anasta made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2000, then won a competition in 2004.
The five-eighth then joined the Roosters in 2006, guiding them to a grand final four years later.
“We won 17 games in a row (in 2002) and we were really united,” remembers Anasta.
“Watching the Roosters win the grand final was like a dagger (in the heart).
“We would have been very difficult to beat… but as if they (the Roosters) weren’t cheating the salary cap (with this team)… please.”
Footy fans online were left stunned by Anasta’s allegations.
“Someone in his position cannot say that unless proven otherwise,” said one supporter.
A second fan was just as adamant that the former representative center was out of the picture.
“How does this not bring the game into disrepute? Braith is a player agent and needs to be a little more circumspect in his comments.
From 2002 to 2004, the Roosters appeared in three successive NRL grand finals, but only won once.
Anasta – whose comments are sure to infuriate Tricolors fans – left Belmore at the end of 2005 and joined the Roosters, who he then guided to the 2010 final won by the Dragons.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Roosters for comment.
