This wasn't the job description Braith Anasta signed up to.
Recruited following a tumultuous end to his time at the Sydney Roosters in 2012, Anasta thought he was heading to Wests Tigers as the last piece in a puzzle capable of giving the NRL premiership a nudge.
Working under Test coach Tim Sheens, he was to have a very simple job patrolling the edge of the ruck, while stars Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah worked their magic in midfield.
But six months in and Marshall is on his way out, while Anasta never worked under Sheens who was shown the door before the season began.
And with the 2013 finals now a long shot, Anasta is part of a rebuild - one which he's unlikely to be around long enough to see come to fruition.
"It's surreal to me too," Anasta said of Marshall's departure at the end of the season.
"I was coming here with Sheensy and Benji and everyone's left me.
"All the blokes have been having a bit of a laugh at me.
"The circumstances in which I came here and the circumstances now are really different."
But while disappointed that his time with Marshall has been cut short, Anasta sees value in his role with the club.
He has one year left on his deal with the club and, at 31, will be in his 15th year of NRL in 2014.
It remains to be seen if he will keen on a 16th campaign.
He knows, however, that over the next 18 months, he can play a crucial part in the future of the club.
"I'm a leader here. I've got to use my experience even more so now that Benji's going," Anasta said.
"I've spoken to Mick (coach Michael Potter) about that.
"I've got to try and help these young guys turn into the best players they can be and we've got some really good talent here."
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