Anthony Rocca Biography

Former Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca has returned from the US to a part-time coaching role with the Pies.

"I am excited to be back here," Rocca said.

"My role will comprise of one day down at the club during a training session and when possible I will assist on match day.

"It's not like Bucks needs any help but if I can provide some assistance with the key position players ... then that would be great."

Anthony Rocca has decided to shelve plans to try out as a punter in the United States' National Football League so that he can spend more time with his family.

"I enjoyed my 15 years of playing football but it's time to move on," he said.

"Injury and age have caught up and I'm enjoying my situation and I get to spend time with my family."

Ben Graham has encouraged Anthony Rocca to chase his dream being an NFL punter, but says the task of breaking into the league will not be easy.

"Anthony has Sav in his corner, so that's a head start no one else can get," Graham said.

"You may only get one shot at it, and then it's the sacrifice and discipline and hurdles you face along the way. That might prevent a lot of people from pushing it further.

"I will never say to anyone don't give it a go, but then again I saw you don't want to completely turn your life upside-down for a dream that might not be there."

Former Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca admits breaking into the NFL is tough but will continue to work on refining his punting action.

"It is a very, very difficult to sport to get into," Rocca said.

"A lot of people think you just rock up and you'll be in, but you've got to kick torpedoes all the time and to do that is something that is not overly natural to us.

Retired Magpie Anthony Rocca encouraged his teammates to achieve the premiership he was never able to attain.

"One thing that as a player I'm going to regret is never winning a premiership," he told the crowd.

"It's always going to be lingering there ... I'm telling you guys - make the opportunity last, take it now."

Veteran Magpie Anthony Rocca announces his retirement after a 242-game career.

"I would like to thank the Collingwood Football Club for allowing me to have had the career I've had, and the Sydney Swans for giving me the opportunity to play AFL football, I'm very grateful," Rocca said.

Anthony Rocca talks of plans to follow in his brothers footsteps and take up punting in the US following his retirement.

"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," Anthony Rocca said.

"I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."

Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke says he hopes Anthony Rocca, who has an injured ankle, will be able to join him in the Magpies forward line in their semi final against the Crows.

''His impact and his voice is so important for John Anthony and myself, we're probably the younger ones in our forward half," Cloke said.

''I'm really hoping his ankle is fine and he's up and running again this weekend.''

Zac Dawson wins a re-match against his nemesis Anthony Rocca with the Saints condemning the Magpies to a sudden death semi-final after winning their qualifying final.

"Daws has really come on this year, and again we didn't ask for anything too special from him,'' teammate Lenny Hayes said.

''Just to stand his ground and he's done that all year, so it was no different today.''

Anthony Rocca has been brought into the Collingwood squad for Sunday's qualifying final against St Kilda, replacing Nathan Brown.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Anthony Rocca is clearly in the best 22 and has high hopes he'll return in time for finals.

"We're very, very keen to get Anthony as many games as we can leading up to the finals," Malthouse said on radio SEN.

"He's got a massive heart, there's nothing left over with Anthony Rocca, he just gives everything he possibly can."

Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca says he is two or three weeks away from making his return from an achilles injury.

"I would love to be out there right now but the fact is I can't. I have a sore achilles at the moment and it's not letting up. It's looking to be two or three more weeks," he said.

Veteran Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca has again succumbed to injury.

Rocca is unlikely to see senior action for at least another month, with the Magpies deciding to spell the power forward after he felt soreness in the same achilles that troubled him earlier this season.

Dane Swan has thrown his support behind veteran forward Anthony Rocca, saying he is still a key member of the Magpies.

Rocca has played just three senior games this season while battling various injuries that include a persistent groin strain, but remains a viable option as centre-half forward Travis Cloke's form slump continues.

"We certainly want him back in the side, he adds a dimension we don't really have, someone we can use to get out of jail - kick it long, create a contest," Swan said.

Anthony Rocca and Heath Shaw look set to return to Collingwood's team for the clash with St Kilda on Monday.

A bigger, stronger and more confident Zac Dawson gets his chance to redress one of the AFL's worst mismatches on Monday night when he meets Anthony Rocca again.

Three years after his first very public humiliation at the hands of Anthony Rocca, Zac Dawson may be on the verge of the ultimate redemption with the two expected to face each other again.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse believes forward Anthony Rocca still has a lot to offer the club despite some ordinary form to start 2009.

Malthouse believes Rocca can be a valuable mentor to up and coming Magpie forward Jack Anthony.

"Don't forget Anthony Rocca has been out for a number of weeks and hasn't had a massive pre-season," Malthouse said.

"Anthony Rocca is a very, very important player for this football club.

"When he gets enough games under his belt, he will be that instructive type of person that Jack Anthony needs."

Collingwood Mick Malthouse says veteran forward Anthony Rocca has pulled up sore from last week's win while draftee Steele Sidebottom may debut on Anzac Day.

Collingwood spearhead Anthony Rocca appears set to return against the Lions on Friday night.

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss believes Anthony Rocca's inclusion is a big boost for Collingwood ahead of Friday night's blockbuster.

Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca feels like a rookie again before his long-awaited AFL comeback against the Brisbane Lions tonight.

"It's very exciting, I feel like a young kid again," Rocca said

"There's excitement and nerves, but I'm sure once I get out there I'll know what to do.

"The body feels great. I feel like I've had a couple of good knocks in the past couple of weeks and feel physically ready."

Anthony Rocca and Dale Thomas are strong candidates to return to the Collingwood side for their Thursday night clash with Geelong.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Anthony Rocca is getting closer to being selected.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has refused to rule out a surprise return of Anthony Rocca for tomorrow's match against Melbourne.

Anthony Rocca and Heath Shaw both trained strongly on Wednesday, fuelling hopes they will return for Collingwood's clash with Melbourne.

St Kilda say Raphael Clarke's hamstring injury may not be as severe as first feared, while Anthony Rocca is a chance to play in round two for Collingwood

Anthony Rocca is ruled out of the Magpies 2009 season opener and may need five matches in the VFL to gain match fitness.

Collingwood may play key forward Anthony Rocca in the VFL at the weekend in a bid to have him ready for the season opener against Adelaide on March 28.

COLLINGWOOD key forward Anthony Rocca won't be fit for Round 1, let alone Friday night's NAB Cup grand final against Geelong at Docklands.

Collingwood centre half-forward Travis Cloke says the return of fellow big man Anthony Rocca is crucial to the Magpies' 2009 season.