It has happened to the best of them, the realisation that one day you will wake up and football will no longer be a part of your life. For some the dawning is gradual, yet Anthony Rocca clearly witnessed the starkness of the game’s ultimate truth.
“The game has gone past me,” said Rocca, who has announced his retirement after 242 games of League football. “And the fact of injuries, there is that as well. I’m really happy with the decision I’ve made, it’s a weight off my shoulders.”
The next weight on his shoulders might be the shoulder pads worn by NFL players in the United States, as Rocca intends trying out in American pro football as a punter. Two things suggest it’s not the pipedream it might at first seem to be: one, his brother, Saverio, currently fills that role for the Philadelphia Eagles; and two, Anthony is a prodigious kick of the football. “I want to try this NFL stuff, give it as much of a go as I can,” he said. “Hopefully (Sav) can teach me a fair bit.”
In the meantime, there is a career to reflect upon. Rocca, who turned 32 in August, was drafted by Sydney from the Northern Knights with the second overall pick in the 1994 AFL Draft. He made his AFL debut against Carlton in Round 8, 1995, but his two years with the Swans were plagued by unhappiness and, truth be known, homesickness. So, after 22 games with Sydney, Rocca sought and was granted a trade to Collingwood to play alongside Saverio.
For the record, he headed south in exchange for Ben Wilson, Mark Orchard and the No. 14 and No. 33 draft choices at the end of 1996. “After starting my career in Sydney, I really wanted to be back in Melbourne, firstly to play with my brother, and secondly to play with Collingwood as well, so that was a bonus,” he said.
It was a fillip for the Magpies, too. Rocca kicked just 11 goals in his first two seasons with the Swans, admittedly managing only 22 games in that period as he found his feet. In his first season at Victoria Park, he collated 21 games and 34 goals, and not only was a target born, but a club favourite, too.
“I’ve got to say he’s one of my favourite players,” said coach Mick Malthouse, “not only because of his personality but also his teammanship, and his ability to lift other people around him when he played.”
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