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From nrl.com
Anasta may make shock appearance against Storm
16 September 2004
Braith Anasta could make a shock appearance in Sunday's NRL semi-final against Melbourne, with the Bulldogs five-eighth winning his battle to overcome a sternum injury.
Coach Steve Folkes said tonight Anasta had trained strongly today, without doing any contact work, and he was increasingly confident the No.6 would line-up against the Storm.
"He's reasonably upbeat about it so we'll see," said Folkes.
"At the start of the week I didn't give him any chance at all but I certainly give him a fair chance now."
The former NSW pivot suffered the injury during the Bulldogs' 30-22 loss to North Queensland in last weekend's qualifying final.
Earlier this week Folkes and Anasta had all but given up hope of the 22-year-old being fit for the Aussie Stadium clash.
"He's not flying but he's optimistic he will play," 'Dogs skipper Steve Price said tonight.
"It's a case of leaving it up to him. I haven't been told he's been ruled out, I haven't been told he's definitely in.
"He said there's nowhere near as much pain as there was."
It augurs well for the Bulldogs, who will have Price on board after the Queensland Origin prop was found not guilty of a striking charge at the NRL judiciary last night.
"I didn't think he should have been there in the first place," Folkes said.
"I think most people conceded that a penalty was sufficient."
If Anasta is cleared to play, Cowboys recruit Johnathan Thurston is likely to drop out of the 18-man squad.
Anasta, 22, has been plagued by injuries heading into the NRL finals series for the past four years.
His importance to the team was magnified following the poor performance of his halves partner Brent Sherwin, whose kicking game went missing against the Cowboys.
Meanwhile, Storm fullback Billy Slater has declared his availability for the Kangaroos tour despite a troublesome groin injury that restricts his training.
Slater had been expected to skip the tour to give the injury time to heal but the 21-year-old today said he was ready if selected.
"As far as I know I am available...if they're going to pick me," Slater said.
"If I get picked we'll see how it goes. Obviously it's a goal of mine but we have bigger fish to fry.
"We are looking at the premiership at the moment."
Slater, an integral member of the Queensland side in this year's State of Origin series, has been in dynamic form of late for Melbourne.
The Innisfail-born speedster scored a try in the Storm's qualifying final win over Brisbane last weekend and was solid in defence.
Anasta may make shock appearance against Storm
16 September 2004
Braith Anasta could make a shock appearance in Sunday's NRL semi-final against Melbourne, with the Bulldogs five-eighth winning his battle to overcome a sternum injury.
Coach Steve Folkes said tonight Anasta had trained strongly today, without doing any contact work, and he was increasingly confident the No.6 would line-up against the Storm.
"He's reasonably upbeat about it so we'll see," said Folkes.
"At the start of the week I didn't give him any chance at all but I certainly give him a fair chance now."
The former NSW pivot suffered the injury during the Bulldogs' 30-22 loss to North Queensland in last weekend's qualifying final.
Earlier this week Folkes and Anasta had all but given up hope of the 22-year-old being fit for the Aussie Stadium clash.
"He's not flying but he's optimistic he will play," 'Dogs skipper Steve Price said tonight.
"It's a case of leaving it up to him. I haven't been told he's been ruled out, I haven't been told he's definitely in.
"He said there's nowhere near as much pain as there was."
It augurs well for the Bulldogs, who will have Price on board after the Queensland Origin prop was found not guilty of a striking charge at the NRL judiciary last night.
"I didn't think he should have been there in the first place," Folkes said.
"I think most people conceded that a penalty was sufficient."
If Anasta is cleared to play, Cowboys recruit Johnathan Thurston is likely to drop out of the 18-man squad.
Anasta, 22, has been plagued by injuries heading into the NRL finals series for the past four years.
His importance to the team was magnified following the poor performance of his halves partner Brent Sherwin, whose kicking game went missing against the Cowboys.
Meanwhile, Storm fullback Billy Slater has declared his availability for the Kangaroos tour despite a troublesome groin injury that restricts his training.
Slater had been expected to skip the tour to give the injury time to heal but the 21-year-old today said he was ready if selected.
"As far as I know I am available...if they're going to pick me," Slater said.
"If I get picked we'll see how it goes. Obviously it's a goal of mine but we have bigger fish to fry.
"We are looking at the premiership at the moment."
Slater, an integral member of the Queensland side in this year's State of Origin series, has been in dynamic form of late for Melbourne.
The Innisfail-born speedster scored a try in the Storm's qualifying final win over Brisbane last weekend and was solid in defence.
