TonyK
CibbuanoRocca announces retirement
September 21st 2009 07:34
COLLINGWOOD forward Anthony Rocca has announced his retirement from AFL football after 242 games.
Rocca informed coach Mick Malthouse and teammates on Monday that he would hang up the boots.
The 32-year-old was restricted to just four games during 2009 due to ankle and Achilles injuries.
His last match was the Magpies' qualifying final loss to St Kilda three weeks ago.
Taken by Sydney in the 1994 national draft, Rocca spent two years at the Swans before being traded to Collingwood.
Rocca, who kicked 415 goals during his career, booted 404 goals in 220 games for Pies and led the club's goalkicking on four occasions.
He sits eighth on the all-time Collingwood goalkicking list and only 16 players have played more games for the Magpies.
Rocca said he was very proud of what he was able to achieve during his 14 seasons at the elite level and that he was lucky to have played alongside so many great players.
"Beginning in Sydney and playing alongside men the calibre of Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett, Paul Roos and Michael O’Loughlin was a huge privilege," Rocca said.
"Then to move to Collingwood and be alongside the likes of Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Gavin Brown, Graham Wright and particularly my brother Saverio, I am very fortunate."
Rocca also said the 2002 grand final in which he booted four of his side's nine goals in the nine-point loss to Brisbane was a bittersweet memory.
"Playing in the 2002 grand final was a highlight, but also one of the lowlights, but I'll always remember that opportunity," he said.
Malthouse said Rocca was an important member of the club.
"I think we'll always be mindful of the fact that, in the 2002 grand final, he produced a herculean effort, and he almost got us over the line," Malthouse said.
"Unfortunately for us the following year he wasn't there in the grand final, and it was probably pretty reflective of the score line, and in many respects tells us how important he was to the football club."
Rocca added that he was interested in following in the footsteps of his older brother Saverio who is a punter for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.
"Looking to life after footy, I want to take some time off, first of all take a holiday and go and visit my brother in the US," he said.
"I'm keen to try and get into the punting scene in the NFL, and I'll try my best to get a job in that arena, but if not I wouldn't mind doing some sort of part-time coaching role in the AFL. I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."
Rocca informed coach Mick Malthouse and teammates on Monday that he would hang up the boots.
The 32-year-old was restricted to just four games during 2009 due to ankle and Achilles injuries.
His last match was the Magpies' qualifying final loss to St Kilda three weeks ago.
Taken by Sydney in the 1994 national draft, Rocca spent two years at the Swans before being traded to Collingwood.
Rocca, who kicked 415 goals during his career, booted 404 goals in 220 games for Pies and led the club's goalkicking on four occasions.
He sits eighth on the all-time Collingwood goalkicking list and only 16 players have played more games for the Magpies.
Rocca said he was very proud of what he was able to achieve during his 14 seasons at the elite level and that he was lucky to have played alongside so many great players.
"Beginning in Sydney and playing alongside men the calibre of Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett, Paul Roos and Michael O’Loughlin was a huge privilege," Rocca said.
"Then to move to Collingwood and be alongside the likes of Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Gavin Brown, Graham Wright and particularly my brother Saverio, I am very fortunate."
Rocca also said the 2002 grand final in which he booted four of his side's nine goals in the nine-point loss to Brisbane was a bittersweet memory.
"Playing in the 2002 grand final was a highlight, but also one of the lowlights, but I'll always remember that opportunity," he said.
Malthouse said Rocca was an important member of the club.
"I think we'll always be mindful of the fact that, in the 2002 grand final, he produced a herculean effort, and he almost got us over the line," Malthouse said.
"Unfortunately for us the following year he wasn't there in the grand final, and it was probably pretty reflective of the score line, and in many respects tells us how important he was to the football club."
Rocca added that he was interested in following in the footsteps of his older brother Saverio who is a punter for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.
"Looking to life after footy, I want to take some time off, first of all take a holiday and go and visit my brother in the US," he said.
"I'm keen to try and get into the punting scene in the NFL, and I'll try my best to get a job in that arena, but if not I wouldn't mind doing some sort of part-time coaching role in the AFL. I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."
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