NRL 360 host Braith Anasta on conflicts of interest as a player manager

NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta has adressed criticism over being a player manager to Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster.

Braith Anasta uses the back of his hand to push away the tears running down his cheek.

Across from Anasta, an older man wearing a tattered South Sydney Rabbitohs cap, is sitting at
a table.

The man lifts his eyes from his newspaper. He offers a gentle nod, before turning away again to sip his coffee.

It’s a dreary Thursday morning, and as Sydney’s daily dose of rain begins to fall outside a quiet cafe in Coogee, so too do the tears of a heartbroken son.

“It’s something I don’t think I will ever get over,’’ Anasta says before lowering his head.

The night before, Anasta had been sitting under a bank of bright lights as the new host of Fox League’s flagship show, NRL 360.

A third of the way into his first season in the hottest seat in rugby league showbiz, Anasta has finally learned how to embrace the little red light of live TV, which before his first episode, rendered him unable to eat, shaking with cold and more “nervous than anything I’ve ever done in my life”.

Braith Anasta has made a stunning start to his new gig as the host of NRL 360. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“If you’re not ready for it, you burn and die and you never come back,’’ is how Anasta viewed the importance of his first show as host on March 7.

“Let’s be honest. If I was to stuff it up, it would be ‘see ya later’. So yeah, it was the longest day of my life.’’

This, from a sporting prodigy, whose fast-twitch muscle fibres were so defined, he excelled at schoolboy cricket and could have been a pro golfer or a rugby union Wallaby, had he wanted to.

But instead, Anasta (shortened from his family name of Anastasakis) played 280 games of first grade rugby league, captained every club he played for, wore the green and gold of Australia four times (his Test debut achieved at just 19 years old), played State of Origin for NSW 10 times, won individual Dally M Awards, propelled Canterbury to the 2004 premiership and kicked 122 goals, during a career spanning 15 seasons.

The hugely popular, heavily opinionated and frequently polarising NRL 360 goes to air at 6.30pm every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night, every week of the NRL season.

Anasta is a rookie in the hosting role, thrust into the chair this year when good friend and the show’s previous host, Yvonne Sampson, went on maternity leave.

Braith Anasta with his Fox Sports colleagues Matty Johns and Benji Marshall. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Veteran Fox League commentator Greg Alexander, a mentor to Anasta, had been heavily considered for the role.

But ultimately, Anasta got the nod.

As the footy season and its customary controversy edges towards winter, even Anasta’s harshest critics – and there are many – wouldn’t deny he has made a classy transition from expert commentator to 360 anchor.

Polished and well-prepared, Anasta has revelled in prompting – at times needling – the show’s guests before calling on them to dissect the game’s biggest issues.

He asks only for honest answers and opinions, pushing the show’s regular journalists and guests to tell fans the truth behind the spin.

He readily pushes back against his opposite in 360 mainstay Paul Kent, while controlling the energy and temperature of the show, much as he did on the football field as a five-eighth for the Bulldogs (2000-05), Sydney Roosters (2006-12) and Wests Tigers (2013-14).

“I’ve dreamt about this,’’ Anasta says matter of factly.

The statement is met with surprise, given Anasta’s rugby league career resembled a boyhood fantasy.

“Absolutely. I’d go home and stand in front of the mirror and say, ‘Hello and welcome
to tonight’s show, I’m Braith Anasta’,’’ the 40-year-old says.

“I did that for years while I was playing.

Braith Anasta stormed on to the scene and helped propel the Bulldogs to the 2004 NRL premiership. Picture: Mark Evans.

“I have this weird knack, and have done for years, where I know every journalist that comes on TV because I have a fascination with that part of the game.

“I’ll look at anyone on TV and study how they present themselves.

“From the early Footy Show days of Sterlo (Peter Sterling) and sport panel shows with Gus (Phil Gould) and Kenny Sutcliffe and Graeme Hughes, to even working with (James) Bracey at Sky News, I take a lot from all of them.

“It’s something that I’ve been passionate about for a long time.

“I just didn’t think I’d get the chance to do it. But I knew that if I got the shot, I was confident that I could sustain it and do a good job.

“Now the first line of 360 is ingrained into me: ‘Hello, welcome to NRL 360, rugby league from every angle’.”

Which is why Anasta is now crying.

As well as the gentleman in the Rabbitohs cap, other cafe patrons are now looking over with intrigue and concern for the pain washing over the familiar face.

“I just wish Dad was here to see me,’’ Anasta explains his emotion.

In the early 1980s, Peter Anasta ran a successful and highly reputable smash repair business in the eastern suburbs.

Such was the high-rotation of dented cars that Peter banged back into shape, he was able to save enough money to buy the entire Kingsford block that the body shop’s foundations were laid on.

Peter had met Kim, Anasta’s mother and a sister to Rabbitohs legend George Piggins, when she was just 13 and a student at Mascot high school J.J. Cahill Memorial.

The besotted Greek-Australian couple went on to marry, before having two boys, first Damon and then three years later, Braith.

Braith Anasta with his father Peter who took his own life when Braith was just 15. Picture: Supplied

“Dad worked his arse off,’’ Anasta says.

“He started his own business, he came from nothing and had the shop at Kingsford.

“He was extremely good at his job, but such was his ambitious attitude, he bought a restaurant as well with his best mate.

“His best mate ended up ripping him off and that’s when it all started. Dad was devastated that someone close to him could let him down.’’

Anasta was 15 when Peter committed suicide.

He left behind a wife and two sons, who 25 years later, are still hampered by grief that remains painfully raw.

“It’s tragic, my family has never been the same,’’ Anasta says. “Mum, my brother, they haven’t been able to come to terms with it all.

“Mum is by far and away my greatest role model. She’s an incredible woman.’’

Anasta says his coping mechanism to deal with his father’s passing as a teenager was different to that of the rest of his family.

His father’s death occurred ahead of an important Year 11 at Marcellin College, Randwick.

Anasta was already unlike most teenagers.

He was a prodigious sporting talent with high-level skill, strength, balance and acute hand-eye coordination.

Braith Anasta was a prodigious talent across a number of sports including golf, rugby league and union and cricket. .

He was the kid that everyone in the east knew was going to make it on whichever sporting field he chose.

He represented NSW on the golf course and was equally adept playing cricket for the state as he was carving up the rugby union or rugby league field.

But now he was without his father.

“When my dad passed, a day or two later, I had the Jack Newton Junior Golf state titles at Bowral,’’ Anasta recalls.

“I said to my family, ‘I’m going – I’m playing’.

“My uncle caddied for me and I kept moving on with my life and I didn’t quite deal with the grief at the time.

“That’s why it still hits me.

“A lot of the other family dealt with it then.

“Me? I played golf, rugby union, signed a contract with Souths at 16, then signed a deal at the Bulldogs and it was one thing after another keeping me going.

“It distracted me at the time. But then it would come back and hit me at later times.’’

TALL POPPY SYNDROME

I ask Anasta, exactly when did it hit the hardest?

Sometimes as a journalist, you ask a question that you already know the answer to.

Every footy fan who followed Anasta’s career knows the answer.

Perhaps it was a case of the same tall poppy syndrome that has ripped the legs out from under some of our greatest sportspeople, but Anasta had hardly spent two seasons in the NRL before he became the whipping boy for fans and rival players.

Braith Anasta was picked to play for the Kangaroos at 19 and played 10 times for the Blues in State of Origin.

He was heavily criticised (some of it driven by jealousy from rival fans and players) and with it came the maligned tag of rugby league’s most overrated player – sparked by Rugby League Week magazine’s annual player poll.

“Many years ago, I struggled,’’ Anasta says.

“The negative criticism, attention and judgment, that was a nightmare for me for a long time. It caused me a lot of heartache.

“The first year, I was 19 and I played for Australia and it started.

“I couldn’t imagine what I would’ve been like if there were social media back then.

“When you grow up your whole life, being successful at everything you do – I was always good at every sport, that’s not being arrogant or cocky, it’s just that I had success at union, league, cricket and golf.

“I’d make the rep teams. I was always being applauded or praised for my success.

“And then when you finally get to where you want to and you’re shot down and criticised … you’re playing for Australia and State of Origin and Dally M five-eighth of the year and still being called overrated, I wasn’t used to it.

“It was probably just words, but I remember saying to Mum ‘ I’ve had enough of this’.

“I was only 22, I thought I can’t do this.

“Rugby League Week, I just wanted to burn it. I thought it was a piece of shit.

“There’s an epidemic of suicide now and that’s why they couldn’t do that (player poll) now.

“The impact mentally it would have on athletes … would be too much.

Braith and Rachael Lee with their children Aleeia, Addison and Gigi.

“Back then, it was old, obnoxious and dumb to think that you’re not going to impact people’s lives by doing something like that.

“I was angry at the world. And I questioned it (Dad’s passing) every day.’’

The irony is, Anasta now finds himself sitting in the seat of the most polarising rugby league show on television.

He lifts his head and offers a grin, when asked how he deals with the vitriol from “360 haters”, the passionate opinions of footy fans or social media trolls.

His knowing smile is of a man protected now by life experience, that only those who have dealt with real pain boast.

“Crawls (Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley) actually said to me when we met to discuss hosting 360, ‘You’ve copped a lot, so you’re not going to be a fish out of water’,’’ Anasta says. “He said, ‘you’ve come through the other side’.

“I’d like to think that I’m humble, but I do agree with that.

“It’s that type of role where there is going to be criticism or critique.

“I get that. That’s the job.’’

FAMILY TIES

Before taking on the role, Anasta discussed the opportunity with fiancee Rachael Lee.

“I knew it would impact our family, but she is incredibly supportive and told me to go for it,’’ Anasta says.

The couple met seven years ago, when at a Bondi cafe Anasta’s best mate slipped Rachael the ex-footy star’s number when he had left the table to use the bathroom.

“I was so embarrassed he did that, I walked out without saying a word,’’ Anasta says.

“A week later I got a text message from Rachael and our first date was making a hat for Addison’s (Rachael’s son) Easter hat parade.’’

Anasta laughs and says: “Now we’re the Brady Bunch. I dropped them all to school this morning and that’s what working on a nightly show allows me to do and that’s what I love.’’

Addison, 11, is Rachael’s son from a previous relationship.

Aleeia, 8, is Anasta’s daughter, who he shares from his previous marriage to actor and model Jodi Gordon.

Braith Anasta with his mum Kim and daughter Aleeia enjoying family time.

Gigi, 4, is Anasta and Lee’s youngest daughter together.

“There’s no half – they’re full (brothers and sisters). There’s not even a question,’’ Anasta said. “They’re all equal. They’re the happiest three kids you’ll meet and they’re together 24/7.

“We’re all about raising three beautiful kids in a loving and caring environment.

“Rach is an amazing mother. We’ll get married as soon as our busy lives find the right time, the impact of Covid over the past two years hasn’t helped either.’’

Anasta, who has full custody of Aleeia, has occasional contact with Gordon, but makes it clear: “The only focus for Rachael and I is the wellbeing of the kids.’’

As if hosting NRL 360 and Super Saturday for Fox League wasn’t enough, Anasta is also building a world-class pod of talent for his co-management stable, Searoo Sports.

Anasta is the general manager of the athlete management company, alongside founder Justin Caines and CEO Jason Hoang.

The company focuses on managing the careers of Australia’s most talented young golfers and a small collection of rugby league players, headlined by Storm and Queensland State of Origin star Cameron Munster.

Anasta is in the midst of broking a new contract worth in excess of $4m for the best
five-eighth in the game.

The contract saga, with its almost daily headlines and updates, has led to criticism of his role as a leading voice, on one of the biggest platforms in the game, while also operating as a player agent.

“A lot of people have spoken about me and a conflict of interest being the host of NRL 360 while also being a player agent,’’ Anasta says.

“I understand that, but I also understand there’s another million conflicts of interest in our game.

Braith Anasta and Rachael Lee are planning to beget married when the time allows. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I don’t concede to that point of view anyway, because I’ve always been honest in my appraisals on TV.

“To the point where, when I meet my clients for the first time, I say, ‘Listen, I am on TV,
I may call your game and I’m going to be even more honest. I’m going to be even more brutal in my assessment of you, so be ready for it because you’re not going to have a yes man, who tells you what you want to hear.’

“One of the worst things as an athlete is when you surround yourself with yes men.

“Because I only have a small group, and I only want a small group, I want them to trust me with their life and that I’m not doing sly deals with clubs, or underhand payments with clubs.

“I’m not going to be telling them one thing and doing another, which happens.

“I’m going to be transparent and give the honest truth.’’

As he speaks from a place of passion and painful experience, it’s strikingly evident the major motivation behind Anasta’s desire to help mentor the lives of young men is driven from an ache that has been there for the past 25 years – there when he falls asleep each night and there when he wakes.

“My dad was a great dad before he passed,’’ Anasta says.

“And I miss him every day, just that mentorship and guidance, to have someone to bounce ideas off, or just be there to watch over you, even from afar.’’

What would the old panel beater think of his son now?

“Oh, you’ve got me again,’’ Anasta says. ■

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