sport news Braith Anasta reveals the pain of his father's suicide and why he couldn't deal ... trends now

sport news Braith Anasta reveals the pain of his father's suicide and why he couldn't deal ... trends now
sport news Braith Anasta reveals the pain of his father's suicide and why he couldn't deal ... trends now

sport news Braith Anasta reveals the pain of his father's suicide and why he couldn't deal ... trends now

Braith Anasta faced stiff competition to become the new host of flagship Fox Sports footy show NRL 360, but in the end he got the gig because he had been through hell and had the resilience to come out the other side.

Now, the premiership-winning representative star has opened up on how the tragic death of his father tore his world to pieces and how he rebuilt himself to become the star athlete, media personality and loving parent that he has become today.

Peter Anastasakis is the epitome of why suicide can impact anyone - and how it comes with no warning. He was a handsome and popular young father, a successful business owner and his friends and family all loved him dearly.

A young Braith Anasta with his father Peter visit the beach in a happier time

A young Braith Anasta with his father Peter visit the beach in a happier time

When Braith was just 15, Peter took his own life. No warning, no explanation. He was just gone.

'It’s something I don’t think I will ever get over,' Braith told the Daily Telegraph.

'It’s tragic, my family has never been the same. 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.'

It took many years for a young Anasta to face his grief. A naturally gifted athlete, Anasta could have taken his pick on a professional sporting career in cricket, golf, rugby or league.

Anasta was a brilliant young half and was selected for Australia when he was just 19

Anasta was a brilliant young half and was selected for Australia when he was just 19

The shocking loss of his father could have derailed that, but instead Anasta used his sport as a way to distract him, to run from his grief.

He was lining up to tee off for the Jack Newton Junior Golf state titles at Bowral the very next day.

'I said to my family, "I’m going – I’m playing",' Anasta said.

'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.'

It wouldn't take long before Anasta would be forced to deal with the pain. In school, he was always celebrated for his sporting achievements. In

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano in action: Fight card, odds, date, opponents, start time, complete guide