NRL 2023: South Sydney Rabbitohs great Craig Coleman offers to help Lachlan Ilias, slams manager Braith Anasta
South Sydney great Craig Coleman wants a face-to-face meeting with under siege Lachlan Ilias, after calling out the Rabbitohs halfback’s manager, Braith Anasta.
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South Sydney great Craig Coleman wants a face-to-face meeting with under siege Lachlan Ilias while taking a whack at the Rabbitohs halfback’s manager, Braith Anasta, over Latrell Mitchell.
Ilias came under fire over the weekend when another former Souths number seven Craig Field took to Facebook to declare Ilias “is not up to what this coach (Jason Demetriou) thinks.”
“I was far from a perfect player but @8)(: me,” Field wrote.
His comment was liked on Facebook by Coleman.
Field and Coleman were then targeted by Fox Sports commentator Anasta, who said: “Some people have short memories. He (Coleman) should be trying to inspire the kid and help him be better – not the opposite.”
Coleman fired back on Sunday and said he wanted to meet with and help Ilias – but not before taking a swipe at Anasta, who has been critical of Mitchell’s efforts in recent weeks.
“I was interested to read Braith Anasta‘s comments on my criticism of his client’s efforts as an NRL number 7,” Coleman said.
“I am entitled to make a comment as Braith is when he criticises the effort of Latrell Mitchell and so many other players.
“Criticism and praise goes with the territory.
“Ilias is a gutsy player who plays with 100 per cent effort but there is a huge difference between playing half in rugby league and being an outside centre in rugby union, which Ilias was.
“If Braith would like to arrange a meeting with his client I would be only too happy to have a chat with him.
“I hope he (Ilias) can turn constructive criticism into a positive and become a great Souths halfback because the team really needs one.”
His comments drew praise on Facebook from several former first grade players including Bernie Lowther, Kevin Hastings, Terry Wickey, Keith Cole, Neil Baker, Wayne Chisholm, David Boyle and Arthur Kitinas.
The ugly spat caps off a horror for months for Souths, who bombed out of finals contention with a loss to Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
Field posted on Facebook after watching Souths lose to the Roosters.
“I’ve got to get it off my chest – don’t care what the people at Souths think – but number 7 is not up to what this coach thinks. I was far from a perfect player but @8)(: me,” Field wrote.
Ilias’ may have been further scrutinised after Demetriou recently said his halfback was “going to be the best halfback the club has had for a long time.”
Anasta told The Sunday Telegraph: “Lachy really looks up to and respects Craig (Coleman) and appreciates the legacy that he left at South Sydney.
“For this reason it amazes me that a guy that could have such a positive impact on Lachy decides to do the opposite and criticise him continuously whenever and wherever he can.”
Souths were round 11 NRL favourites before a series of on and off-field setbacks saw the famous club crash out before the finals.
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Originally published as NRL 2023: South Sydney Rabbitohs great Craig Coleman offers to help Lachlan Ilias, slams manager Braith Anasta
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