#23 - Anthony Rocca

[Snag Breac]

ROCCAdemption is at Hand….


http://i10.tinypic.com/6lcqjgn.gif
logo by Didaka

The boys are back in town, and there are a few men among them, most notably Anthony Rocca – last of the legends.

With his strong body and goal-scoring ability, Rocca is the central pillar of the Collingwood attack. He celebrated 10 years with the club and 200 matches in 2007 by kicking 54 goals to win the Gordon Coventry Trophy for the third time. He came equal 7th in the Copeland Trophy voting, and took the highest number of Contested Marks for 2007 – an impressive 65 marks.

During the 2007 finals campaign, Rocca kicked 9 goals. Remarkably, it emerged later that he played in the Preliminary Final against Geelong with an injured ankle. Following the retirements of Buckley, Clement and Licuria, Rocca will take his place as an elder statesman of the team, fulfilling a critical mentoring role to younger players.

Rocca cuts an awe-inspiring presence on the field. He is Collingwood’s unrivalled, epic hero. He's like the Colossus at Rhodes. To paraphrase poet Thomas Tickell:

So, now proud Rocca, across the raging goals,

Stupendous form! the vast Colossus stood,

While at one foot the thronging Sherrin rides...

Betwixt his brazen thighs, in loose array,

Ten thousand defenders on the goal-line play.

You'd swear it was written for him.

http://i10.tinypic.com/715s4u0.jpg

Rocca Gives Dale Thomas a Few Tips

http://i16.tinypic.com/6obqec2.jpg


For the Following Rocca Basics, I am indebted to the Collingwood website.

Jumper No: 23
Height: 195cm
Weight: 108kg
DOB: 15 August 1977
Recruited From: Reservoir-Lakeside/Northern U18/Sydney
Career Matches: 230
Career Goals: 395 (career matches/goals at the end of the 2007 season)


http://i1.tinypic.com/72bgcau.jpg

Season 2007 Achievements
Rocca played his 200th club game in Round 17.
Matches: 20
Goals:
Marks: 111
Disposals: 192
Kicks: 160

Record

Brownlow Medal
To Date votes 44

Previous AFL Club:
Sydney (1995-96: 22 games, 11 goals)

Draft history
1994 AFL Draft priority selection (Sydney) No. 2 overall; 1996 AFL Draft traded by Sydney to Collingwood for Ben Wilson and Mark Orchard, No. 14 (Brett O’Farrell) and No. 33 (Will Sangster).

Debut
Round 8, 1995 v Carlton @ SCG
Collingwood debut: Round 1, 1997 v Port Adelaide @ MCG

Awards & Honours

Collingwood - RT Rush Trophy (2nd Best and Fairest) 1999
Darren Millane Trophy (best clubman) 2002
Leading goal kicker 2000, 2002 (equal), 2007

TAC Cup
Team of the Year 1994
TAC Medal (Grand Final B.O.G.) 1994

http://i6.tinypic.com/80q7lmd.jpg
RoccaReel

Big Footy’s gifted filmmaker, Favourites, has provided the following links to Rocca-packed video action.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=mCD8enXBhXw (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=mCD8enXBhXw)
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=huMDqWxF6mI

Collingwood Buddy Threads – No Pressure, Just 100% Support

[Snag Breac]

Footy Flashbacks - from the Collingwood Archive


Rocca: team victory – July 2006
Anthony Rocca has celebrated his 200th AFL game in emphatic style, helping lift the Magpies to an important 37 point win against the highly rated West Coast Eagles.

The win ends a disappointing form slump which, before Saturday’s victory over last year’s grand finalists, had seen Collingwood register only one win from its last five encounters.

The key Magpie forward could only muster one goal for the day, with his strike partner, Chris Tarrant, chiming in with four. However, Rocca’s goal was as much a reward for his hard work around the ground, as it was to signify his contribution to the scoreline.

Reflecting on the win after the game, speaking exclusively with CollingoodTV, Rocca felt that his own recent form-slump was coming to and end, and was delighted with the team’s resolve and effort to wrestle the four points against the Eagles.

“It was a desperate team game and we needed the win, because we haven’t been playing well. We’ve lost the last three, and to turn it around like that was great.

“I didn’t get a lot of the ball but I tried to contest as best as I could today. I’m in a little slump – but I feel like I am getting out of it. As long as we are kicking goals. Taz (Chris Tarrant) was fantastic today – Josh (Fraser) was also outstanding.

“I’m the sort of person who loves (being part of) the team. I’d rather the team win than (worry about) me getting touches. I’d like to get more touches – but if we win and I don’t, then so be it.”

In Rocca’s milestone game, Collingwood captain, Nathan Buckley, was in damaging form. His work across every line, goal kicking (2 for the day), constant pressure and set-up play, was nothing short of brilliant. Buckley is a genuine superstar of the AFL, and while in football so much effort often goes unnoticed, Rocca could not help but make mention of his captain’s contribution to making his 200th senior game such a memorable occasion.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s sensational. He runs the plays sensationally, and he rallies around the boys.

[Snag Breac]

Footy Flashbacks 2

Here's an insightful article about the big man, by one of my favourite sports writers.
That Rocca fella is enriching his image

By Rohan Connolly
December 15 2002

"I pretty much forget it till people come up to me and talk about it," Anthony Rocca says of his controversial shot for goal in the grand final.
And how often is that? Rocca's laughter gives the game away: "A fair bit."
Nearly three months down the track, Rocca hasn't revised his opinion about the controversial shot against the Brisbane Lions in September.

He estimates it was inside the goalpost by "two feet". But the goal umpire, whose opinion was the one that counted, ruled it a point, denying Rocca his fifth goal, and in the minds of many, perhaps Collingwood their long-awaited 15th premiership.

Rocca doesn't, however, fancy his part in what is already looming as grand final folklore's greatest pub debate since the 1979 incident in which Carlton player Wayne Harmes was controversially ruled to have kept the ball in play, leading to the winning goal (also against the Magpies, a point not lost on coach Mick Malthouse).

"Mick actually mentioned that at the Copeland Trophy night," Rocca says. "He said: 'Let's not turn it into another Wayne Harmes'. I was still pretty disappointed about it not being called a goal. When he said that, it sort of really put things into place for me, like deciding 'let's get over it, and let's get on with it'."

Which is also the very statement Rocca might subconsciously have been making about his own career during those nail-biting few hours on grand final day.

Throughout his career Rocca has had no shortage of sceptics waiting for him to fall. It began when he first hit the headlines as a very reluctant Sydney draftee eight years ago, continued through the crescendo of cat-calling that accompanied his eventual move to join brother Saverio at Collingwood two seasons later, and has barely let up since.

Despite having gradually worn down the critics with several years of steady improvement, Rocca nonetheless needed a big game on football's biggest day to dispel the jibes and the knowing smirks once and for all. And he delivered.

That shot, had it been called the other way, would have given him his fifth goal in a lion-hearted display at centre half-forward and as a relief ruckman in conditions unsuited to big men. His third quarter, in particular, caused Brisbane all sorts of headaches.

It was a relentless "workhorse" performance completely at odds with the popular perception of Rocca as a "feast or famine" type likely to be brought undone when it mattered most. It is what the Magpies have come to expect.

"We'll be happy if he just continues to put in seasons like last season," Collingwood football manager Neil Balme says. "Seasons where he is just an honest contributor, who works hard, and we rely on him. That's what we need. How good he is or becomes in someone else's mind is of no great consequence to us."

Or to Rocca. "It stopped affecting me a couple of years after I went to Collingwood," he says. "The biggest thing that has helped me there has been Mick Malthouse. I remember him telling me: 'We don't care what other people think, we just care that you're busting a gut.' The first time he told me he was thinking about having me as one of the leadership group, he told me just to keep working my butt off. That was something that has really stood out to me, and I've pretty much taken the same stance since."

Balme, something of an authority on misunderstood footballers given his vastly differing on- and off-field personas, reckons he hasn't seen many better examples than Rocca, freely admitting that as an opposition coach he too used to have doubts about him.

"The disappointing thing for people close to him is that he's such a stout-hearted, well-meaning bloke, and he's perceived as something other than that, and in my view that's very unfair," Balme said.

"Last pre-season, when he had osteitis pubis [a groin injury], he wasn't able to do training as normal, but the effort he put in and the discipline he showed to do what he had to, and still have quite a powerful, imposing season, was really commendable."

Now Rocca's greatest critic is himself. "I thought the first half of my season was better," he reflects. "I put on a little bit of weight, which didn't help me, because I'm a big guy already." In mid-season? How?
"Just being an Italian fella," he chuckles. "It wasn't eating bad food, just a lot of it."

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/14/1039656262758.html[/SIZE]

[Optimax]

That is some great stuff snag well done really good

[Snag Breac]

Thanks to Optimax's attendance at yesterday's training session, we can confirm that Anthony Rocca was fit and fighting throughout the session. Optimax reports that our star forward worked like a trojan, despite recent surgery, and taking a few rough tackles at the previous day's game against Keon Park Primary. For Optimax's full report, see the Training Report thread on the main Collingwood board.

ROCCAdemption has also spoken to fans who attended the Keon Park game. Hel of Mill Park comments; "I don't think the umpires were fair to Rocca, but the groin held up well. Good to see him go up against that tough mob from Keon Park. And he was gorgeous with the kids."

Dave of Bundoora says; "His form was good. He played low on the ground, didn't get the chance to take a really big mark; But he got tackled hard and gave as good as he got. Can't wait for the start of the season."

COLLINGWOOD BUDDY THREADS - REPORTING WITH PASSION.

[Snag Breac]

Leap of a Legend!

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[Snag Breac]

Rocca at Family Day – Dec 2007


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The fans are champing at the bit. It’s 11:00am at the Lexus Centre and the first shift of players are finishing their Family Day stint.
“Where’s Anthony Rocca? Is he here yet?” asks one keen barracker.
“No, not yet,” says the security guy, “he’s a big boy. If he was here you’d notice him.”
But just then someone does. Rocca has just emerged from the inner sanctum and sets out to cross the lobby to the bar area; but the fans are onto him – kids to the right of him, teenagers to the left - all wanting an autograph or a photo with the legend. He stretches out his Popeye-sized arms and the first lucky fans huddle close to their hero. They pose triumphantly for nervous amateur photographers anxious to get a good shot, for this is their one big chance.

http://i10.tinypic.com/8fff9k6.jpg
He is looking very well indeed; lean, muscled, toned and tanned. It strikes me that Rocca is a shy man. He does not seem to enjoy the off-field attention as the fans cluster round him. The Marty Clarkes and Nick Maxwells could sit there chatting all day, but for Rocca it’s a penance. Yet the gentle giant does his duty manfully, refuses no one, and is unfailingly gracious under pressure.

Rocca gradually gravitates towards the back table where he manages to join Presti and Josh. From then there’s a continuous flow of fans passing the table, like pilgrims at a high altar; for these are the senior players – these are the living legends, and people are prepared to line up all day if necessary.
http://i12.tinypic.com/8eqo5mo.jpg

When his stint is over, Rocca sees the chance to make a break. He gets up, races for the bar exit and escapes into the lobby. But we’re on to him again. He’s tagged all the way back through the lobby, including by this reporter, keen for a quote for ROCCAdemption.
“How’s training going Anthony?”
He turns to respond, but is suddenly flanked by two lads. Rocca places an arm round each of their shoulders, looks for the camera, smiles, turns towards me, still striding purposefully in the direction of the inner sanctum.
“Yeah, good. Excellent.”
“And what are your goals for 2008?” He looks at me, slightly perplexed. Another supplicant thrusts an autograph book under his notice. Rocca is signing, smiling and considering his 2008 goals all in the same second.
My heart goes out to him; “The best year ever?” I suggest.
He nods mildly; “Yes, hopefully.”
I back away, others advance to fill the momentary gap. But it’s too late - he makes a break for it, tagged all the way to those double doors, and to freedom.
http://i14.tinypic.com/6lnlblx.jpg

[PieLebo87]

Very good start Snag, very impressive thread.

[Optimax]

Your right about rocca being shy snag, he loves the club and his family and would do anything for both but all the extra attention he gets does get him embarrased he isnt a natural born media player. But a fantastic man none the less is a pleasure to talk too every time i see him.

You doing really good with the thread too

[bradrowe#32]

Cops a lot of shit from the supporters but when he's firing we are very hard to stop. He has injuries concerns at the moment, but will again lead the forward line. Best case scenario is that Dawes, Reid and Rusling keep knocking on door forcing Rocca to kick ass next year.

[Snag Breac]

Cops a lot of shit from the supporters but when he's firing we are very hard to stop. He has injuries concerns at the moment, but will again lead the forward line. Best case scenario is that Dawes, Reid and Rusling keep knocking on door forcing Rocca to kick ass next year.

I promise you, bradrowe, ass will be kicked with a vengeance!


Collingwood Buddy Threads - No Pressure, Just Pure Support.:)

[MagpieGirl_13]

A quote from Strauchanie's book 'Bryan Strauchan: My Story' about Rocca.

"23. Anthony Rocca - Pebbles is a BFG. A Big Friendly Giant. I like him because he laughs at all of Strauchanie's jokes. I once made Pepsi Max come out his nose & he hadn't drunk it for three days"

:D

[Snag Breac]

A quote from Strauchanie's book 'Bryan Strauchan: My Story' about Rocca.

"23. Anthony Rocca - Pebbles is a BFG. A Big Friendly Giant. I like him because he laughs at all of Strauchanie's jokes. I once made Pepsi Max come out his nose & he hadn't drunk it for three days"

:D

Good to have the considered input of an expert such as Strauchnie, MagpieGirl. An interesting insight into the man, and a valuable addition to the thread.:p

[MagpieGirl_13]

Good to have the considered input of an expert such as Strauchnie, MagpieGirl. An interesting insight into the man, and a valuable addition to the thread.:p

Not sure how much of it is true, apparently he's also had fanta & strawberry milk come out his nose!!!:D:p

[Snag Breac]

Not sure how much of it is true, apparently he's also had fanta & strawberry milk come out his nose!!!:D:p

I wouldn't doubt it for an instant, MagpieGirl; the big man has the nostrils of a young god.

[Grace Darling 13]

Now imagine what would happen if Anthony read that Snag? He'd probably become very self concious and would get plastic surgery on his fine, sturdy nose. That wouldn't turn out well.
Anthony would make the best devil, if we pointed his beard and gelled his hair into horns....:D

[Snag Breac]

Anthony would make the best devil, if we pointed his beard and gelled his hair into horns....:D

Admittedly Anthony shares a certain dark elegance with the arch fiend - but more during his Lucifer than his Satan phase. Happily for us all, Anthony has more in common with St Anthony of Padua, finder of lost objects. Rocca is not only a man of the highest moral fibre, he's very, very good at finding the ball, especially in mid air.:)

[Snag Breac]

Pre-season training report: week 6

With thanks to the Collingwood CFC website

10:11 AM Mon 24 December, 2007
Luke Mason - Exclusive to collingwoodfc.com.au

The final week of Collingwood’s pre-season training for 2007 has concluded, with the playing group taking a deserved break for the Christmas festivities, before returning to the track early in the New Year.

The week was notable for the return of Anthony Rocca to the action, the powerhouse centre half forward is now recovered from his post season groin surgery, and began to ease his way back into proceedings.

http://i10.tinypic.com/81i3yx4.jpg
Training began on Wednesday, with the session held back until 11am.

After some slow warm up jogs, the players took part in a kicking drill, with the group moving the ball wide from the back flank, before going into the corridor, looking to send the Sherrin spiralling into the hands of a leading forward. Before long, they split into separate groups, the main focus being on extracting the ball cleanly from stoppages, before moving it quickly into attack.

A highlight of this exercise was the efforts of draftee John McCarthy, the former Dandenong Stingray throwing himself at the football with gusto, and belied his slender frame by competing ably with his more senior team mates when the ball was in dispute. Another point of note from the drill was the foot skills of Irish rookie Kevin Dyas, which have improved greatly over the past month, in particular when under pressure.

Meanwhile, forwards Leon Davis, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid and Rocca all took shots at goal, only after accepting the ball on a lead from assistant Blake Caracella. Shortly after, some weight and strength work was done, a feature for the handful of spectators being the tussle between Nick Maxwell and Chris Egan with the Swiss balls.

The objective of the drill was for the pair to grab hold of the ball, and attempt to wrestle it off the other. No other partnership attempted the drill with the energy of the pair, who drew one all when it was time to move on.

Two days later, under hot Melbourne skies, the players took part in a short but high intensity session, which saw a number of handball matches run by Gavin Brown and Alan Richardson, the four teams determined according to whether they originated from the city or the country.

Following each match, the players were forced to run laps of 400m or 800m, the stars on each occasion the trio of Martin Clarke, Rhyce Shaw and Scott Pendlebury.

Each player was regularly handicapped by the fitness staff; however no mountain was too high for these three, who continually comprised the first three finishers.

Others to impress in this capacity included Danny Stanley, Sharrod Wellingham and Nathan Brown.The session finished with a shorter handball drill, players forced to apply token pressure on the ball carrier, the defensive player rotating quickly, for the position was filled by any player who fumbled the ball at any one moment.

With time to rest and recuperate over the Christmas and New Year period, the club will now turn its eye to its trip to South Africa, for the AFL Community Camp in order to promote the Australian game abroad, before making the trip to Dubai to face Adelaide in the first round of the pre-season cup on February 9.

[popathon]

Record

Brownlow Medal
2007 votes 44



How the hell did that Bartell character win?

[Snag Breac]

How the hell did that Bartell character win?

Wondered that myself. Presumably it's a life long count taken at end of 2007. Had a lot of trouble with some of those stats. They seemed to have their 2006/7s mixed up. Glad to see someone's keeping me right.

[popathon]

well i'm at work so i have nothing better to do hehe

[Snag Breac]

BF Posters Get Behind Rocca for 2008

In his new thread entitled, Read OP then post before reading replies!!!! PieLebo87 asks Collingwood BF members to list the top players in a number of categories. Their responses show how critical a role they feel Rocca plays in the team, and will continue to play in 2008. I've listed excerpts from their posts below, edited for brevity.

bradrowe #32
The 3 most important players in the team and why?:
Rocca: pretty simple, if he doesn't fire, then we usually struggle. It will be interesting to see if this stays true if Dawes, Reid and Rusling play in the ones.

makethat2
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
Rocca, Sheer size

the mighty pies 3733
Most Important
Rocca- structurally provides a target, takes a good defender and brings others into the game

Lockyer24
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
Rocca - just the standard hip and shoulder gets him suspended

vinnie_vegas69
The 3 most important players in the team and why?:
Anthony Rocca - Still the only threat to kick 5-6 goals every game

Johnson#26
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
Burnsy
Jonno
Pebs
The 3 most important players in the team and why?:
Pebs/Burnsy
Wakes

Pie eyed
Anthony Rocca. When he is on his game he is a fantastic forward.
Love his huge torps from outside fifty. He can lift the side with a good performance and has many times over his career. Much maligned but also much needed player. Simply at the moment and for the last 5-6 seasons he has been our "Roc" in the forward half. As important as they get.

The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
Anthony Rocca - gets the best 2 backmen week in, week out. He is the bloke who breaks up the packs and never shirks the tough decisions. Puts his body on the line every week, even when he is having a dog of a day he is in there under the packs, over the packs and through the packs. He is no sprinter and often gets left behind by the quicker backs but he is always there behind them puffing his guts out....for the Black and White.
The 3 most important players in the team and why?:
Anthony Rocca - Pebbles has to have a great year in 08. He has to remain our forward focus and stand tall. I expect him to fulfill all his promise in 08.

mydarlingclementine
3 most talented players in the team
Didak, Pendlebury, Rocca. The first two should be obvious, Rocca is a very talented player who simply never got his fitness to a point where he could be damaging every game.

Magnus the Magpie
The 3 most important players in the team and why?:
Rocca, Didak and Presti/Wakes. If the first two fire and one of the other holds the monster forward, we win.
The 3 most crucial players in '08 and why?:
As above

Popathon
The 3 most important players in the team and why?:
2: Rocca - Takes best defender and is good 50 odd goals a year, also helps building the experience of Cloke & Rus.
The Royal Sampler
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
Anthony Rocca: consistently draws 3 or more opponents and yet is almost never outmarked. Hugely underrated.

Loki04
The 3 toughest players?: Burns, Rocca both strike fear into opponents and have backed up their mouth with big hits

Visions
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
3. Rocca: Opposition supporters talk about him going missing and being too soft, I disagree, he always makes his presence felt in the forward line taking one of 2 opposition players out of the contest so the ball can fall to the crumbers.

Privatopia
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?:
Rocca, Swann, Neon (most tackles last season)

Kikidadidak
Toughest- Rocca- smashes anyone, man mountain and not afraid to use it
Most important- Rocca- obvious reasons, even though he does my head in
Most crucial in '08- Surely this shouldnt differ to much from the above...Although these players are important, i think we could still cover for them with others, such is our eveness (Rocca the hardest to cover, depending on how the younger guys develop this year)

swiftdog
The 3 most important players in the team and why?: Rocca: takes the number one back week in, week out.
The 3 most crucial players in '08 and why?: Rocca: as above

Kaness
The 3 toughest players in the team and why?
Rocca, big lad, watch out for rocca at 12, 3 or 9 o'clock.

The 3 most important players in the team and why?
Fraser, hopefully that changes soon, pretty self explanatory really! I can’t really choose any others... goes to show the evenness of the team, but once again Thomas, Pendles, Rocca, Heater, Didak, Leon

DKS17
The 3 most important players in the team and why?
Rocca- I’m not a huge Rocca fan but I do acknowledge his importance to the team. While he has the tendency to play a blinder one week then go missing the next the fact that he draws the oppositions best defender can't be underestimated. Even when he is playing badly he still crashes packs and creates scoring opportunities for the smaller forwards at his feet.

ROCCAdemption is indebted to all of the above posters for their discerning contribution.

[MagpieGirl_13]

Hehehehe... I found this picture of Rocca:D

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2360/20295gl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Big Bucks]

Hehehehe... I found this picture of Rocca:D

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2360/20295gl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Resembles me in a lot of ways, well the shoulders do anyway.

[Snag Breac]

Thanks for that MagpieGirl - great addition. You know you've really made it when you've got your own caricature. ;)

What about the nose Big Bucks? Recognise that?

[Big Bucks]

Thanks for that MagpieGirl - great addition. You know you've really made it when you've got your own caricature. ;)

What about the nose Big Bucks? Recognise that?

Actually snag,the droop looks familiar.

[Optimax]

ill be defending the big man against all comers:thumbsu: along with toovey bryan and obree

[Snag Breac]

ill be defending the big man against all comers:thumbsu: along with toovey bryan and obree

And I'll be right beside you, Opti. It's probably fair to warn any would-be Rocca-knockers that I'm actually 6ft 4in, broad as a door (that's muscle, not fat) and a that I have an emerald belt in Iliomrascail - that's martial arts Irish style. So as the poet says;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

[Optimax]

And I'll be right beside you, Opti. It's probably fair to warn any would-be Rocca-knockers that I'm actually 6ft 4in, broad as a door (that's muscle, not fat) and a that I have an emerald belt in Iliomrascail - that's martial arts Irish style. So as the poet says;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

im not actually that angry of a person or really look like the stereorypical collingwood supporter but talk rubbish about me team or attack me in anyway and ill turn inot the supporter that opposistion fans fear collingwoos for. dont worry takes a while to get there i try actually stats first

[Snag Breac]

im not actually that angry of a person or really look like the stereorypical collingwood supporter but talk rubbish about me team or attack me in anyway and ill turn inot the supporter that opposistion fans fear collingwoos for. dont worry takes a while to get there i try actually stats first

Wish I could say the same, Opti; I have a fierce temper when riled.:eek:

[Snag Breac]

Luke Mason on Rocca


For the most informed, considered analysis of every player in the team, visit http://www.freewebs.com/collingwood08/2007.htm (http://www.freewebs.com/collingwood08/2007.htm)

This is the new website of Luke Mason, whose articles feature regularly on the Collingwood website. Luke is also a regular BF poster.

This is what Luke writes about Anthony Rocca.

Rocca is the rudder by which our ship is guided. Still maligned, it is common knowledge that when he fires we rarely lose, and he still takes one, if not two of the opposition’s best defenders. Though he lacks the spring and speed over 10m of his youth, he’s still certainly worth his weight in gold to the side, for we still base our forward structure around him be it at centre half forward or full forward.

They (they being everyone) rip into Rocca at every opportunity, but again and again, he shuns them, for the second year in a row topping the 50 goal mark. For all his knockers, I’m sure that ALL Collingwood supporters believed our season was over when he appeared to land dangerously on his ankle nigh on halftime against Sydney in the Elimination Final. Instead, he came out and booted another three goals, before, though beaten by the competition’s two best backmen in Darren Glass and Matthew Scarlett, absorbed plenty of punishment in order to aid his team. With another two years remaining of his career, it is time to savour the Big Roc, and hopefully witness him drop a few kilos in order to allow him greater mobility, which is what hurt him against the better full backs. A rest for his ankle (on which he has had surgery) and groin will be much appreciated.

Footnote: Think he’s already lost some weight. Think what’s left is all muscle.:thumbsu:

[Snag Breac]

ROCCA TO MENTOR STRAUCHNIE?


In an exclusive interview with Marty Clarke Media, Collingwood hopeful, Byran Strauchan, claims that star forward, Anthony Rocca, has taken him under his wing to groom him as his eventual replacement up front.

“Rocca’s rapt that he’s been given the job of helping me perfect my game,” says an excited Strauchnie, “and I’m rapt that I’ll be able to take the goal-scoring pressure off him. I think I could kick a handy 4 or 5 every game. Who knows? The sky’s the limit!

“All these years, I’ve been barking up the wrong goal post – thinking I was more of a midfielder, or defender, or a low-slung ruckman. But I finally realised that in terms of body shape I’m closer to Rocca. Sure he’s got a bit more bone-length, but I’m heavier than he is. I’m more of a power-mass than a light and speedy type. I’d be more useful anchored right up front.

“I think Strauchnie might just surprise a few people. I’ve got a fair bit of spring off my left bunion, and if I can’t get up all the way, I can always sink my teeth into the opposition’s ankle. No, seriously……

“The other big plus Strauchnie has over Pebs is freshness. Pebs has put in a lot of years for Collingwood, but I’ve been bottling everything up for years, ageing beautifully; and now I’m ready to explode.

“All the Big Roc has to do is take on the defence and keep them off my back. Rus and Cloke can give him a hand. I’ll do the rest – just stand there and tap ‘em in.”

Strauchnie anticipated few difficulties fitting into the current team, apart from a reluctance on the part of certain players to pass him the ball.

“If those kids just got onside, the Pies would be steaming. Thommo, for instance, if he’d just focus on getting the ball to Strauchnie, instead of tossing around trying to push his dreads out of his eyes, he might have some impact on the game.

"All they have to do is feed me the ball, and leave it to Strauchnie. Done. Game over. Premiership guaranteed.”

Rocca was tight-lipped when questioned about his new mentoring role; “Eh, yeah, Strauchnie’s been unlucky not to get a game so far,” he admitted, “but we’ve got some decent players on the list, and one or two of them might just be ahead of him in development terms.

“Strauchnie hasn’t improved as fast as some of the youngsters – Pendles or Clarke or Thomas. But I can tell you one thing, he’s definitely a really, really solid bloke.”

http://i15.tinypic.com/726xohh.jpg


Rocca shortly after discovering that he's Strauchnie's new mentor.

This article was inspired by the ineluctable Bryan Strauchan.

[Snag Breac]

Here's a shot of Rocca at training. He took 65 contested marks during the 2007 season, and scored 54 goals. Lest we forget....

This photo is courtesy of shizzle, from his excellent Collingwood Training Picture thread.
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[Grace Darling 13]

Rocca seems to be carrying a lot in the team. Don't think many players can do that! :p

[Snag Breac]

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Anthony Rocca

#23 Collingwood Magpies (http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/th-collingwood-magpies)

Age: 30yr 5mth Games: 230

Born: August 15, 1977

Height: 195cm Weight: 108kg

Position: Forward

Just discovered footywire, thanks to Swanny36, who posted the link in another thread today. I've tried to copy the stats tables, but the heartless Big Footy computer won't let me post it. Apparently I'd be exceeding the magic number of 7 images.:eek::confused: It's like being in a fairy tale.:p Anyway, if you're interested in the stats on Rocca, or any other player, follow the link below. Try out the COMPARE tool for a bit of fun on a dull summer's night. And the picture above is going straight into the HOTNESS thread.:cool:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pg-collingwood-magpies--anthony-rocca

[Snag Breac]

ROCCA ROCKS AFRICA

Anthony Rocca looks fighting fit as he relishes the physical challenges of the Pies' strenuous training regime in South Africa. Here he's among the leaders on an 8km hike through a game reserve close to the team's high-altitude camp.

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Rocca is looking so slim that his ribs can be clearly seen in the shot below.:D Sadly, he's also shaved off his beard and moustache.
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He was one of those players mentioned by Mick Malthouse in relation to the captaincy in this article by Damian Barrett, published in today's Herald Sun.

LIFE after Nathan Buckley.
It is a state Collingwood long dreaded, but it has arrived. As those associated with the process to determine his replacement know, Buckley cannot be replaced.
His replacement can act as captain of the club on-field and main spokesman off it, but - and if you believe Collingwood's key match committeemen, no decision has yet been made - he cannot hope to be as diligent as Buckley.
The list of candidates remains long, from Anthony Rocca, who is not officially among the leadership group, to Scott Pendlebury, who has played just two seasons.
Coach Mick Malthouse says a captain will not be named until near the end of the pre-season competition.
"That's another good reason for this camp (in South Africa)," he said. "Anyone who can replace Nathan Buckley is going very well.
" We will determine that through this coming campaign, and then recommend to the board who we believe should be captain."
Malthouse said he had "an idea" who might get the nod, but stressed the final stages of the process were the most crucial.
"I want to see which players respond to adversity," he said.
"These camps test you right out. There is an element of tiredness. Players can get on each others' nerves. It's how they handle it.
"You don't pluck a leader. A leader is there; he is in your face."
The big problem for Collingwood once Buckley retired was that James Clement followed soon after.
Buckley's long-time No. 2, Clement could have held the captaincy for as long he wanted.
"Which makes this a balancing act," Malthouse said.
"Do we go with an Anthony Rocca, Scott Burns-type person, someone in their 30s and perhaps closing their career?
"Is it a next level player? A (Tarkyn) Lockyer, (Nick) Maxwell, (Josh) Fraser, who are in that bracket of 28 down to 25?
"Or a bolt out of the blue? Is it a Scott Pendlebury or Dale Thomas? Or Ben Johnson? There is a lot to look at and we are not rushing in."
Asked whether Maxwell was favourite for the post, as many football people believe, Malthouse said: "I don't want you to draw any conclusions. Nick has been a very impressive young man for this club, but I believe others since Nathan has gone have stood up. It is a delicate one, because we haven't got many games to look at, and I am not going to make the decision before the games."
Collingwood has five official leaders: Fraser, Maxwell, Burns, Lockyer and Pendlebury. Pendlebury has endorsed an older player for the job.
"Scotty Burns is a fantastic leader. He's been around a long time, knows the system, he is so much a role model around the club," he said. "I reckon he's the one.
Collingwood being Collingwood, those charged with finding the next captain know they will be instilling equal doses of prestige and pressure into the successful candidate.
When Malthouse arrived at West Coast, he oversaw a captaincy change from Steve Malaxos to a very young John Worsfold. He ensured Worsfold had a quality, senior vice-captain, appointing Michael Brennan.
Does that suggest Maxwell as captain and, say, Burns as vice-captain?
Malthouse's only promise was: "Collingwood will not have two captains, or three captains, or four captains. Collingwood will have one captain.
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[Snag Breac]

Good Omens for ROCCA for 2008

According to Damian Barrett writing in today's Herald Sun, Rocca's year is off to an auspicious start. His star has risen; long may it shine!

Herewith excerpts form the article:

ANTHONY Rocca commented only last Sunday that he was culturally richer for experiencing the good and bad of South African life with his Collingwood teammates. As of last night, the trip had made him financially richer, too, after winning the jackpot at a casino in Sun City.
Rocca won one million rand ($153,019) when he was dealt a freak hand in blackjack. The jackpot requires gamblers to receive three consecutive seven of diamonds.
"Mate, I was trying to keep this quiet, but I guess I've got no hope of that now," Rocca laughed when contacted by the Herald Sun last night. "It was unbelievable. Just unbelievable. I was just playing a bit of blackjack, hoping to win a hand, then I get the jackpot."
Rocca said "my heart was beating that fast" before the dealer turned over the third seven of diamonds. "And then it was, 'Wow'. I'm pretty stoked about it. The boys are already giving me lists of things they want."
News of Rocca's big win spread quickly among the many Australian football people in the country at the moment, with Carlton players talking about little else over breakfast in their Pretoria Hotel. With wildly fluctuating international exchange rates, Rocca now has to carefully decide when to convert the rand to Australian dollars.
Rocca is in South Africa with his Collingwood teammates as part of the club's preparation for the 2008 season. During a walk through a game reserve outside Potchefstroom last weekend, he said the people and sites he had seen on the trip had deeply moved him.
Collingwood's Sun City stint has been wedged into a physically and mentally taxing itinerary. A squad of Magpies will break from the South African tour and head to Dubai next Wednesday to prepare for a NAB Cup match against Adelaide.
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said Rocca would not be playing in the game, as he was not yet match-ready and that new rules restricting the use of interchange would not allow him the luxury of even sparingly using his centre half-forward.

[Snag Breac]

ROCCA on manoeuvres in Africa.

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[Snag Breac]

Rocca works to perfect his balance on a rope bridge over a crocodile-infested ravine somewhere in Africa.
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[Skade]

Snag do you know if Rocca has built up his tank this pre season?

[Optimax]

Snag do you know if Rocca has built up his tank this pre season?
has gone down from 108KG to 105kg, and seems to be running harder in what i saw of him at training, weight loss seuggests that.

He'll never be super mobile but definetly looks fitter

[Magpie_Matty]

i reckon a good pre season will see the rock kick a hell of alot more goals

especially with the delivery from

pendles , daisy , marty , burns , obie , lockyer

[Big Bucks]

i reckon a good pre season will see the rock kick a hell of alot more goals

especially with the delivery from

pendles , daisy , marty , burns , obie , lockyer

Obie couldn,t deliver an egg onto a frying pan .

[Magpie_Matty]

lol still from the others thats some good delivery

[Snag Breac]

Snag do you know if Rocca has built up his tank this pre season?

He was described as "super-fit" by one of the reporters who's in Africa with the team, pb61; and he's apparently been training hard. Just a shame we won't see him or the other recovering players in the Dubai match.

[Snag Breac]

Excerpt from an article by Nick Hulett in Potchefstroom
Borrowed from to collingwoodfc.com.au.

Assistant coach Brad Scott was "really happy" with how the boys performed in Saturday's intra-club practice match in Potchefstroom.
Played in 20-minute quarters, the match took place on an oval field at the army barracks in Potchefstroom, where Collingnwood has held a number of its training sessions during the first two weeks of its high-altitude training camp in South Africa.

Local groundsmen installed AFL goal posts for the club and also painted a centre square, 50-metre lines, goal squares and a boundary line.

The surface was firm but even and the contest kicked off just after 10am with the temperature hovering around 30 degrees celsius, and given the conditions, Scott emphasised he was impressed with how the players went about it.

"I was really happy with how the boys played today under trying conditions," Scott told collingwoodfc.com.au after the match.

"Obviously we're at a fairly high altitude here and the weather's been quite warm, hot and humid, very similar to the northern states of Australia at this time of the year.

"When you combine that with the altitude, the conditions are quite oppressive. So the way the boys have acquitted themselves has been fantastic, and the intensity of the game was pleasing."

Scott nominated a handful of players who stood out in the contest.

"I'm really pleased with the way Anthony Rocca's progressing. We didn't expect him to be playing at this time of year (following post-season groin surgery), but he played pretty much a full game and got through well, that was exciting for him."

pb61 has posted the full text of this article on the main board.:thumbsu:

[Snag Breac]

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Rocca has made a quick recovery after his recent surgery, and played well in the intra-team match in South Africa.

[Big Bucks]

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Rocca has made a quick recovery after his recent surgery, and played well in the intra-team match in South Africa.

Looks trim Snag, i hope the big fella has a big year.

[Snag Breac]

The fact that Rocca played at all in the abominable NAB Cup match is a tribute to the man. He's recovering from surgery, and Malthouse stated that the limited interchange rule would debar him from selection, along with Harry O'Brien and Tyson Goldsack.

The sight of him walking out at the start of the game wearing Sean Rusling's No 2 guernsey told its own story. Malthouse needed him to spell Travis Cloke, who'd been on a drip the previous day thanks to the gastro that decimated the team.

He's had the same surgery that's casting such a shadow over Chris Judd's future. The fact that he was out there at all says a lot about his titanic constitution and mental strength. Just glad he wasn't injured. He'll be back in feral form when the serious business begins.:thumbsu:

[Snag Breac]

Roccaructions in Africa.

Herewith a portion of Nick Maxwell's African Diary, telling tales of his adventures with Anthony Rocca.

Day nine
After lunch I jumped in a kayak with Pebs and off we went. Unfortunately though, the phrase ‘white water rafting’ was severely overstated. There wasn’t much at all and rather than having a bit of fun, we ended up working very hard to paddle our way down the river. We all decided to make our own fun. Firstly, I got close to Obes and Tarks’ boat and jumped in, dragging Obes into the river. That started a war and guys were decking each other into the water and launching ‘river weed’ at each other. It was good fun until Pebs and I were severely on the receiving end. Bear Bryan pulled the plug out of the blow-up kayak and flogged the pump, forcing us to row with no air in the front half of our boat. We ended up jumping in with Swannie, sending Johnno in with the tour guide and towing our old boat back. A lesson learned!
Upon our return we learned that the pet jack russell that lives at the lodge had killed a brown snake under the vending machine, which made the boys a bit nervous. Apparently it is a daily occurrence – a pretty impressive feat for a dog so small.

Day 10
This morning we were up very early to travel to Sun City. Firstly we stopped at a soccer ground for a training session and then had a weights session at the hotel. Sun City is very different to the rest of South Africa. It is a casino resort and is located in the middle of group of mountains – the Pilanesberg National Park. We had free time for the afternoon and night and basically just did the tourist stuff and had a good look around.
At dinner, a group of us headed to a restaurant called Squires and had a great meal. There was cause for celebration too as it was Presti’s 30th birthday. After we sorted him out a cake and fixed up the bill it was off to the casino for a bit of play time.
After getting inside and having a look around, I noticed big Anthony Rocca watching a poker game. I went over and suggested we jump on the blackjack table. Pebs followed me over and sat down and off we went. It didn’t take long for fireworks to fly. After about five or six hands, Pebs was dealt two seven of diamonds. Now the table we were playing was a bonus table and we had been putting five rand (about 70 cents) on the table to qualify us for the bonus. To win it, a player must be dealt three seven of diamonds in one hand in succession. So, back to Pebs’ hand. He had two seven of diamonds sitting in front of him, needing one more to take out the jackpot of over one million rand. (approx. $150 - $200 thousand Australian). I leant across to Obes and Presti who had their backs to us playing roulette, and filled them in on what was going on – they just ignored me, thinking I was just messing around. Pebs then tapped the table to get the next card.......and another seven of diamonds appeared. We both jumped out of our chairs, yelling and hugging each other and carrying on like idiots. Pebs had pulled three seven of diamonds in succession to win over a million rand. There were five decks in the shoe, meaning he pulled three out of only five among 255 other cards! The odds were ridiculous, but Pebs had done it.
The next few hours were spent sorting out how he was going to get his money. Eventually we got it all sorted and called it a night. I can’t imagine how he must have felt because my adrenaline was pumping for hours afterwards. I couldn’t imagine trying to sleep after all of that.

[Snag Breac]

Rocca Warms Up for 2008 Season

Roccademption is indebted to Magman (?) for this report of the Albany game, for which he is in turn indebted to Nick's Collingwood bulletin board:

I was there today and had a good look at the hit out of the boys:

Very even first half, Pies had many more scoring opportunities than the Eagles but failed to capatilise. Too many short passes in the forward 50 that did not come off. Rocca gave away a couple of soft hands in the back frees and looked frustrated. But came back well with plenty of marks on the stretch and was generally very good.
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The photo of Rocca "marking strongly" is on loan from the official Collingwood website.

[Snag Breac]

Roccademption Begins for 2008

Prescisely 2 minutes and 42 seconds into yesterday's game against Port Adelaide, Anthony Rocca scored the first goal of the game. He went on to score 2 more goals and to repeatedly dominate in contested marks. Overall Collingwood's form was described as "scrappy" as the team slowly warms up for the season ahead. But Rocca has started the year as he means to go on - in form and in contention.:thumbsu:

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[Snag Breac]

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[Snag Breac]

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Rocca going after the ball, and holding Port's hard men at bay. Note the slimmer version of Rocca in action this year.

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[Snag Breac]

Rocca was in the air more often than on the ground yesterday.
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[Snag Breac]

Rocca taking another magnificent mark.

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[Snag Breac]

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And he boots a goal.

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[Snag Breac]

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[Snag Breac]

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[Snag Breac]

Excerpt from an Article on the Collingwood Website:

Pies fall short against Port

Despite staying close for most of the match, Collingwood went down to Port Adelaide by 35 points in Saturday’s regional challenge match at MC Labour Park.

After Anthony Rocca booted the first goal of the game, a near full-strength Port hit back by bagging the only four other goals of the first term as the Magpies were unable to capitalise on regular forward thrusts.
The second term was easily the Magpies’ most fluent and effective of the match as they moved the ball cleanly into the forward line, kicking five goals to Port’s four to trail by 14 points at the main break

Rocca enjoyed a fine first half in which he presented well and applied pressure when without the ball to have three goals by half time, while Dane Swan and Shane O’Bree were prolific in the midfield and Harry O’Brien made an encouraging return from injury in defence.


This shot was taken just before Rocca scored his third goal. Wood had the ball but wasn't in a position to score. Rocca came looking for the ball; Wood handballed it to him and Rocca just slipped it through the posts. Clever:thumbsu:

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[Snag Breac]

At the recent family day one supporter inquired of Rocca, "How many goals are you going to score per match?" Rocca playfully held up 10 fingers. :thumbsu::thumbsu: But surely most supporters would be happy with half that number?:thumbsu::)

Here's Rocca, sharing his Sherrins with the fans.
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[MagpieGirl_13]

At the recent family day one supporter inquired of Rocca, "How many goals are you going to score per match?" Rocca playfully held up 10 fingers. :thumbsu::thumbsu: But surely most supporters would be happy with half that number?:thumbsu::)

Here's Rocca, sharing his Sherrins with the fans.
http://i32.tinypic.com/5yffhk.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/28w2nh0.jpg

Looks like he's practising for life after footy.... maybe join his brother in America.....
Looks like he has that.... pass (?) :o..... down pat!

[Skade]

Hey Snag do you know what the tattoo is on the inside of Ant's right arm?

[Optimax]

Hey Snag do you know what the tattoo is on the inside of Ant's right arm?

its his daughters name MIA

[Snag Breac]

Rocca In Career Best Form For 2008


An excerpt from Rohan Connolly’s article in today’s Age.

The first two quarters had been like mirror images. In the opening term, it was Collingwood off to the fast start, Fremantle looking like it was half asleep before it gradually worked its way into proceedings. In the second, the Dockers got the jump, the Magpies caught napping before a mid-term burst of four goals out of five.
The first two goals were clinical, Alan Didak and Anthony Rocca converting from marks on the lead, Paul Medhurst adding a third after Heath Black gave away a silly 50-metre penalty. Pendlebury ran down Byron Schammer, Chris Tarrant fumbled and was duly crunched by former forward partner Rocca.
The Pies ran their interchange bench like clockwork, virtually one substitution per minute, not just the midfielders, but forwards, too.
But suddenly, Fremantle stirred. Peter Bell outbustled a much bigger man in Fraser to mark and goal. Then, on quarter-time, Johnson ducked brilliantly out of a tackle and dobbed one from 48 metres.
That momentum continued into the second term, Ryan Crowley bombing a goal from outside 50, Pavlich, well held by Brown, finally grabbing a mark on the lead and converting. The Dockers led by nine points. Now it was Collingwood's turn to surge.
Didak started it by running into an open goal, then Rocca won a free kick close in for another. When he kicked his third from a clever Didak pass, Collingwood had kicked four of the past five goals.
Fremantle would fire just one more shot for the afternoon, a brace of three goals midway through the third term somehow giving it an eight-point lead. The Magpies would promptly kick seven of the next eight, Thomas and Leon Davis starting to run amok, Rocca capitalising on it all with three final term goals.
The Magpies would win by 26 points, but in terms of the psychology of the result, the margin was a fair bit greater.
The first two quarters had been like mirror images. In the opening term, it was Collingwood off to the fast start, Fremantle looking like it was half asleep before it gradually worked its way into proceedings. In the second, the Dockers got the jump, the Magpies caught napping before a mid-term burst of four goals out of five.
The first two goals were clinical, Alan Didak and Anthony Rocca converting from marks on the lead, Paul Medhurst adding a third after Heath Black gave away a silly 50-metre penalty. Pendlebury ran down Byron Schammer, Chris Tarrant fumbled and was duly crunched by former forward partner Rocca.
The Pies ran their interchange bench like clockwork, virtually one substitution per minute, not just the midfielders, but forwards, too.
But suddenly, Fremantle stirred. Peter Bell outbustled a much bigger man in Fraser to mark and goal. Then, on quarter-time, Johnson ducked brilliantly out of a tackle and dobbed one from 48 metres.
That momentum continued into the second term, Ryan Crowley bombing a goal from outside 50, Pavlich, well held by Brown, finally grabbing a mark on the lead and converting. The Dockers led by nine points. Now it was Collingwood's turn to surge.
Didak started it by running into an open goal, then Rocca won a free kick close in for another. When he kicked his third from a clever Didak pass, Collingwood had kicked four of the past five goals.
Fremantle would fire just one more shot for the afternoon, a brace of three goals midway through the third term somehow giving it an eight-point lead. The Magpies would promptly kick seven of the next eight, Thomas and Leon Davis starting to run amok, Rocca capitalising on it all with three final term goals.
The Magpies would win by 26 points, but in terms of the psychology of the result, the margin was a fair bit greater.
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From today’s Herald Sun.

A SIX-GOAL haul to star Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca has capped off a 26-point win over Fremantle at the MCG today. The Pies were 16.15 (111) to 13.7 (85) at the final siren.

In a closely-fought match, the Magpies trailed by eight points entering time-on in the third term, before kicking the final two goals of that quarter, then the opening three of the last term to pull away.

Rocca booted three in the final quarter to help seal the match, pumping his fist to the crowd after slotting through the first from a difficult angle.

His next, the third goal of the quarter, was a clever snap after new Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood dispossessed Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands with a strong tackle.

It put the home side up by 24 points and while the Dockers' Luke McPharlin replied minutes later, Rocca responded by marking strongly to kick his sixth and seal the match.

Small forwards Alan Didak kicked three goals and Leon Davis two goals for Collingwood, with both among the Magpies' best.

Davis also did some good work in the midfield, while Didak showed his class in setting up several other goals for teammates.

Collingwood would also have been delighted with the performance of first-gamer Nathan Brown, who lined up on Fremantle superstar Matthew Pavlich.

The key defensive positions had been seen as a weakness for the Magpies, after James Clement's retirement and with Simon Prestigiacomo out injured, but Brown kept Pavlich to just one goal.

Former Collingwood forward Chris Tarrant was also kept very quiet by Magpies veteran Shane Wakelin, meaning the Dockers had to work very hard for their goals throughout the match.

The one major downside for Collingwood was a shoulder injury to forward Sean Rusling late in the first half, after he received a heavy hip-and-shoulder from Dockers defender Antoni Grover.

Rusling has already had two shoulder reconstructions in his brief career.
Rusling's opponent McPharlin was one of Fremantle's best, keeping the Magpie forward quiet early, then going forward in the second half and kicking three goals.

COLLINGWOOD 3.3 7.6 10.10 16.15 (111)
FREMANTLE 3.1 7.2 10.4 13.7 (85)

Goals: Collingwood: A Rocca 6 A Didak 3 L Davis 2 D Thomas 2 T Cloke T Lockyer P Medhurst.
Fremantle: L McPharlin 3 S McManus 2 P Bell M Carr R Crowley J Farmer D Headland M Johnson D Mundy M Pavlich.
Best: Collingwood: A Rocca A Didak D Swan H Shaw L Davis R Shaw.
Fremantle: L McPharlin D Mundy P Bell D Headland A Sandilands M Pavlich.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: S McLaren R Chamberlain C Kamolins.
Crowd: 45,383 at MCG.
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[Snag Breac]

On this glorious Easter Sunday, ROCCAdemption is celebrating Rocca's match-winning 6-goal triumph in yesterday's game against Freemantle. He was ably supported by Didak, Davis, Medhurst and Thomas.

Rocca will continue to anchor the Pies front line this year, until our young forwards-in-training are ready to take over. Roccademption extends it best wishes to Sean Rusling, injured in yesterday's game, and is currently praying that the shoulder isn't as bad as is rumoured. Hope to see you back in front line later this year, Sean.:thumbsu:

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[Snag Breac]

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[Skade]

its his daughters name MIA

Their's two words, what's the other?

[Snag Breac]

From an article about the game against Fremantle on the CollingwoodFC website:
Anthony Rocca was the most damaging forward on the day with six goals and drove his side’s last-quarter charge with three late goals.
“The first game is always difficult for big players because they haven’t got the same touch generally,” Malthouse said of his spearhead.
“He mucked up one or two, so perhaps he could have kicked more, but he was handy put it that way; very handy.”
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[MagpieGirl_13]

Their's two words, what's the other?

I THINK, THINK, it's Mia Jessica..... possibly his daughter's first & middle name.....:confused:

[Snag Breac]

Does anyone know what was going on here? It started as a hugging-session following one of Rocca's 6 (yes 6!) goals, but then seemed to develop into a spot of cross and jostle work. I couldn't see properly as I was at the other end of the ground.
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[Snag Breac]

ROCCA and the Loutish Lion - Round 3

Yesterday I wrote a lengthy match report – a detailed, technical analysis of the overall game plan, individual match-ups, player effectiveness etc. The assessment was rich in statistics and telling insights culled from interviews with numerous Pies and other supporters. But then the electricity went out – for 15 cursed hours.

So you won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of that original report. Here instead are the salient points:

Rocca had a solid rather than a brilliant game, scoring 2.2 goals in rather Irish weather conditions ill suited to large, heavy bodies of Mediterranean origin. By quarter time his boots were weighed down with mud. This extra weight, combined with the sodden, slippery conditions prevented Rocca gaining his customary marking elevation, and made it difficult to hold onto the ball.

The thuggish Daniel Merrett didn’t help. At one point, for reasons best known to himself and those of a criminal nature, he viciously thumped Rocca in the back. The umpire, who famously went on to distinguish himself for his lack of perspicacity in the final quarter, did not pay a free kick, leaving onlookers baffled and outraged in equal parts.

The fact that Rocca did not carry on like a petulant pork-chop says much about his professionalism and performance poise. We look for a higher goal harvest in the Round 3 game against Richmond.

[Snag Breac]

Rocca & the HPM Initiative – Round 3http://i28.tinypic.com/16231w6.jpg



Rocca was on the ground for 89% of the Round 3 game against Richmond, putting in another solid performance and scoring 3.1 goals. As Rohan Connolly of The Age observed:

……there's just as much glitter, particularly when the ball goes forward of centre, where Leon Davis, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas and Paul Medhurst represent a quartet of medium-sized goalkickers as good and as difficult to counter as any forward set-up in the competition. More so with the contesting of key men Cloke and Anthony Rocca continually creating plenty of crumbs, if not marks and scores of their own.

In an effort to maximise his versatility, Rocca has been working on a new tackling technique. I watched him trying to chase down a player on Sunday, and clearly his lack of speed is a drawback. Understandable, of course, he has a massive frame to move. That’s why he’s currently testing out a new system called Horizontal Projectile Marking, or HPM, devised by Swiftian Sports Solutions.

This new scientific technique has been specially designed for large-framed forwards on the attack. Basically the aim is to generate enough kinetic energy to get the big player to the point where he can hurl himself upon his opponent. For high-flyers like Rocca, the best option is to leap off the ground, but only to a height of around 33% of a standard mark. At this height, the player must then project himself horizontally into an attacking lunge to grab his opponent and bring him down. It’s an up-over-and pounce drill. If any of you are going to training this week, keep an eye out for Rocca practising his HPM moves.

[Snag Breac]

From Today's Sunday Herald Sun.

COLLINGWOOD would take great delight in inflicting a record losing streak on rival Carlton, according to Magpie veteran Anthony Rocca.

While Rocca said the Pies would not underestimate the Blues in today's Peter Mac Cup clash at the MCG, he said there would be little sympathy in the fact Carlton was staring at a record 15th consecutive loss. "They are one of our greatest rivals and it is still a pretty fiery relationship," Rocca said. "That (the record) is something we would love to inflict on them. If it was us on the other end of it, they would have no hesitation giving it to us."
Rocca will never forget the Round 18 clash in 2000 when the Blues smashed the Magpies by 111 points at Princes Park - the greatest losing margin in matches between the clubs. "They used to have the wood on us something chronic," he said. "They hammered us."
Last year's Round 7 clash between the two teams was a fiery encounter, with Rocca inadvertently involved. Brendan Fevola charged towards the Collingwood huddle at quarter-time and was initially blamed for a concussion suffered by Josh Fraser. It turned out to be Rocca's hip that collected the ruckman by accident.
The postscript from last year's quarter-time clash was 16 players from both clubs fined a total of $31,800. Three years earlier 15 players copped $42,000 in fines.
Rocca also revealed this week he would almost certainly not have played in last year's Grand Final had Collingwood made it through. He was diagnosed with stress fractures in the days after their agonising five-point loss to eventual premier Geelong.
"I would have been desperate to play, but I really doubt whether I would have been able to," Rocca said.
He said he was in intense pain through most of the last half of the preliminary final - "I needed some painkillers just to get through the second half, but they did not have much of an impact".
"Towards the end of the game, I had no spring and no push off. I had X-rays a couple of days later and it showed stress fractures," he said.
Rocca said he was confident the Magpies would be contenders again this season. The 30-year-old comes out of contract at the end of 2008, but wants to treat his AFL career on a year-by-year basis.
He has signalled in the past that he would like to join his brother, Sav, in the NFL at some stage. He watched Sav play in two Philadelphia Eagles matches over the summer, but said he had no time-frame set in stone to give punting a try.
"I'm just taking everything one year at a time right now," he said. "It (the NFL) could come along at some stage, but it would be a massive decision to shift your family there."

[Snag Breac]

Not the best game. A fuller report in the fullness of time.

[skeetz]

f*ing shocking game by Rocca. Not only did he only kick one goal, but he was no where near the play for most of it. Only time I saw him was when we bombed it yet again into the forward line on his head. He did not mark one of these. Fair enough the midfield weren't hitting him on the chest, but ffs it just bounced off his hands a number of times. No chasing, woefull leading. Very very frustrating.

[Snag Breac]

f*ing shocking game by Rocca. Not only did he only kick one goal, but he was no where near the play for most of it. Only time I saw him was when we bombed it yet again into the forward line on his head. He did not mark one of these. Fair enough the midfield weren't hitting him on the chest, but ffs it just bounced off his hands a number of times. No chasing, woefull leading. Very very frustrating.

I understand your frustration, Skeetz; the greater the passion, the more embittering the disappointment. And I doubt that Rocca would have been happy with his game. But once the negative (for us) pattern of the game was established, he was one of many players unable to reverse the trend.

You clearly know what his technical difficulties were on the day, in terms of delivery, crowding etc. Yet he did keep trying. I think the defeat mind-set took hold just at the start of 3/4 time when we couldn't generate a response to their escalating attack, and I think the effect was virtually team-wide. I understand increasingly that the game is won on the psychological field, and on Sunday the team perhaps underestimated the importance of the game to Pies barackers.

Hell of Mill Park has been warning me about the inevitable dark days as a Pies supporter, and I had my first taste of true footy misery at the weekend. You've probably supped many times from this bitter chalice, and with hopes so high this year, and in such a significant game, your upset is understandable.

I hope that you'll continue to support Rocca, Skeetz, and I trust that as a true champion he will return to the fray with a degree of ruthless determination that all the victories on earth couldn't have stirred as effectively as this most humiliating of defeats.

[Optimax]

f*ing shocking game by Rocca. Not only did he only kick one goal, but he was no where near the play for most of it. Only time I saw him was when we bombed it yet again into the forward line on his head. He did not mark one of these. Fair enough the midfield weren't hitting him on the chest, but ffs it just bounced off his hands a number of times. No chasing, woefull leading. Very very frustrating.
Really needed in some on elses buddy thread?

Keep teh rubbish bagging to the rubbishy threads full of that shit on the main board.

Had a bad day but did what our midfield allowed him too

[dubber]

Really needed in some on elses buddy thread?

Keep teh rubbish bagging to the rubbishy threads full of that shit on the main board.

Had a bad day but did what our midfield allowed him too

Agreed. Rubbish delivery , crowded forward line, does not suit the big man/ No worries, he will bounce back. Go Roccaaaaaaa!!!!

[skeetz]

Really needed in some on elses buddy thread?

Keep teh rubbish bagging to the rubbishy threads full of that shit on the main board.

Had a bad day but did what our midfield allowed him too

It's not Snag's thread, it's Rocca's thread. If Snag wants me to delete my post, I am happy to do so, but what is the problem with there being a record in this thread of the extreme dissapointment felt by a fan as a result of his performance?

Also, I acknowledged the lack of quality delivery, but as I also said (and I hope you saw), the ball just bounced off his hands a number of times, and there was a distinct lack of second efforts for the most part. It's not all happy-friggin-lala Opti. People are allowed to point out what they are unhappy with as much as they are allowed to praise good performance.
I didn't just say "Rocca is sh*t, drop him, trade him, shoot him", I gave my reasons for being unhappy.

This message will be deleted (after optimax has read it) if Snag requests me to.

edit:
I hope that you'll continue to support Rocca, Skeetz, and I trust that as a true champion he will return to the fray with a degree of ruthless determination that all the victories on earth couldn't have stirred as effectively as this most humiliating of defeats.

f*king oath I will. I defend his value to the team to the hilt when my friends try to denegrate him and say he is useless.

Cheers for understanding my frustration though

[Optimax]

How about the ball bounced off his hands due to flooding?, shit delivery, kicking to him out of position etc. wasnt the forwards fault.

I know its not all great and happy trust me when i say i was hurting about it more than you cane ever imagine it burnt losing to that filth, but worse was coming on eher and reading people blame players and call for thier heads (i know you didnt call for his head). Crappy negativity posting without substance annoys me instead off saying this bloke is a shit drop him explain where improvement is needed and this is why this player is better (once again you didnt go to this extreme).

But a buddy thread isnt to say a player played terrible, bounced off his hands whatever. its for insert poster to report in and for us to contribute with little things not attacking or denegrating the player. This board (buddy board) is where everything is meant to be rosy, shit we even rate egan and lonie if you ask their buddies.


Will be deleted when read

[Snag Breac]

Thanks Opti and Skeetz, I know you're both well intentioned and true Pies supporters. As this is my first year as a buddy reporter I'm not entirely sure what is and isn't appropriate as regards discussion. I had thought that a player's thread was meant to be wholly supportive and informative, and occasionally entertaining for posters, as opposed to discursive.

What really annoyed me was the thread opened by a Carlton supporter on our main board today; and I was disgusted that Pies fans would see fit to post negatively in a thinly disguised troll thread. TRS has now locked that unhappy chapter of blethering.

All Pies barrackers are always welcome on Rocca's thread.

[Rohan25]

Thanks Opti and Skeetz, I know you're both well intentioned and true Pies supporters. As this is my first year as a buddy reporter I'm not entirely sure what is and isn't appropriate as regards discussion. I had thought that a player's thread was meant to be wholly supportive and informative, and occasionally entertaining for posters, as opposed to discursive.

All Pies barrackers are always welcome on Rocca's thread.

Keep it up Snag, I love reading this thread. This is what a buddy thread is supposed to be. You paste every news report you find, you take fantastic pictures, and you give an at times informative, at times light-hearted look at your buddy. I loved the HPM thing a few posts back! I also love watching your ever-changing signature. It's very motivating.

You're doing such a good job that I reckon you should think about adopting a couple of other buddys. Some of the other threads need resurrecting.

[Snag Breac]

I loved the HPM thing a few posts back!

Thanks for your encouraging words, Rohan, but I fear you'll be disappointed to hear the latest re: the HPM initiative - it has been abandoned. ROCCAdemption can't disclose its sources, but an individual close to the team has advised as follows:

"The boys are blaming this HPM business for the loss to Carlton, and Rocca was real unhappy about it. You know Mick, he's always open to trying anything new, but this one back-fired. Seems the system worked real well in the BFL (Brobdignag Football League) but it's just not suited to our code."

Swiftian Sports Solutions, designer of the HPM approach, were unavailable for comment.:cool:

[Rohan25]

Thanks for your encouraging words, Rohan, but I fear you'll be disappointed to hear the latest re: the HPM initiative - it has been abandoned. ROCCAdemption can't disclose its sources, but an individual close to the team has advised as follows:

"The boys are blaming this HPM business for the loss to Carlton, and Rocca was real unhappy about it. You know Mick, he's always open to trying anything new, but this one back-fired. Seems the system worked real well in the BFL (Brobdignag Football League) but it's just not suited to our code."

Swiftian Sports Solutions, designer of the HPM approach, were unavailable for comment.:cool:

What a shame. I was a firm believer in HPM. In fact, I thought it would prove to be our secret weapon in our quest for the flag.

Oh well, do you think Swifitan Solutions will have any new training techniques to offer us? I know for a fact* that Matthew Scarlett in particular was very nervous about this new tackling technique.





* Not a fact

[Snag Breac]

[quote=Rohan25;10709089]What a shame. I was a firm believer in HPM. In fact, I thought it would prove to be our secret weapon in our quest for the flag.

Oh well, do you think Swifitan Solutions will have any new training techniques to offer us? I know for a fact* that Matthew Scarlett in particular was very nervous about this new tackling technique.



Yes, Rohan, HPV does have it advocates. I'd say Scarlett's concern sprang from Brobdignag's recent premiership victory over Lilliput, which they attributed to their successful implementation of the system. But Rocca wasn't a fan.

Swiftian Sports Solutions have a slew of products for teams with skill deficits. Malthouse was reportedly considering adapting their Mid-field Mayhem approach, but was concerned that the mayhen might break out among Pies players rather than the opposition. He's also shown some interest in Swiftian's Ruck Re-Engineering process. As one club insider tells ROCCAdemption:
"Mick was a bit keen on some of the new programs, and he fancies himself as a bit of an innovator; but Eddie wouldn't have a bar of it."

It seems likely that Rocca and his team mates will return to more tried and tested methods for the game against North Melbourne.

[Rocca Flys High]

He'll kick 7!

Look out!

We've got to win big, and Rocca will really play the general part. So look out North!

Nice reporting tho Snag...

[Rohan25]

Swiftian Sports Solutions have a slew of products for teams with skill deficits. Malthouse was reportedly considering adapting their Mid-field Mayhem approach, but was concerned that the mayhen might break out among Pies players rather than the opposition. He's also shown some interest in Swiftian's Ruck Re-Engineering process. As one club insider tells ROCCAdemption:
"Mick was a bit keen on some of the new programs, and he fancies himself as a bit of an innovator; but Eddie wouldn't have a bar of it."

It seems likely that Rocca and his team mates will return to more tried and tested methods for the game against North Melbourne.

Love your work Snag!:thumbsu: However it seems that "Midfield Mayhem" was unfortunately embraced by all players tonight.

[Snag Breac]

Love your work Snag!:thumbsu: However it seems that "Midfield Mayhem" was unfortunately embraced by all players tonight.

I fear you're right, Rohan; almost the entire forward cohort failed to fire - Medhurst was an exception, once ignited, and Didak tried hard. But generally, marking and goal kicking stank, and our forwards crumbled rather than crumbed. Rocca must take a large share of responsibility for our failure to score. As one writer put it today; "Rocca is in the horrors again." Time to rethink, regroup and rework the approach.

ROCCAdemption player-support services continue as usual.

[Snag Breac]

I've just found this post by Smoky in the Our Rubbish Midfield thread. I think it's a point well worth noting.

I agree with the fact that our midfield is not being held accountable enough, and want to add the fact that we never create enough sapce for our big forwards to run into in the forward 50, but Anthony Rocca shows a real deficiency in confidently leading. He continually goes to lead in one direction and hesitates backs back the other way, then goes back from the way he came from... and then runs back behind his player and encourages the player kicking the ball to kick over his oponents head into the goalsquare??? (I know my even my explanation confuses me). He needs to show some conviction in his leads, get a little bit of space and take off... in one direction, he is practically unbeatable when he leads one out.

His hesitation destroys his chances and when the ball is kicked to him, he's usually behind his opponent and about 4 other players

[Rohan25]

I don't think we deliver the ball quickly enough to him. He is still the best contested mark in the competition, and what he doesn't mark he will bring to ground, he almost never gets outmarked. By taking so long to deliver the ball to him, it allows the opposition defenders time to work out their zone.

So often last night we got the ball 60-80 metres out and allowed the North defenders time to set up and relax before kicking it in to the forwards, who were easily spoiled. Why not try to catch the defenders unawares a bit?

[Snag Breac]

I don't think we deliver the ball quickly enough to him. He is still the best contested mark in the competition, and what he doesn't mark he will bring to ground, he almost never gets outmarked. By taking so long to deliver the ball to him, it allows the opposition defenders time to work out their zone.

So often last night we got the ball 60-80 metres out and allowed the North defenders time to set up and relax before kicking it in to the forwards, who were easily spoiled. Why not try to catch the defenders unawares a bit?

A valid point, Rohan. This is one aspect of the "woeful disposals" issue highlighted in this Age article by Carley Jellett:

COLLINGWOOD football operations manager Geoff Walsh described the Magpies' disposal in Saturday night's loss to North Melbourne as "woeful", saying the club has lost its trademark competitiveness.
Collingwood lost its past two games — something it has not done since late in 2006 — and Walsh said the players needed to work harder for each other.
"There has been a lack of care and interest for your teammate," Walsh told 3AW radio yesterday. "A lack of wanting to do work for your teammate … and that was evident in the last two weeks when we've gone under."
Walsh added Collingwood's tackling, chasing and pressure are "as good as anyone in the competition" but said in the past two weeks it has been lacking.
After kicking six goals in round one, forward Anthony Rocca has kicked just seven since. Walsh admitted Rocca's best and worst are poles apart, but said he expects a form turnaround against Essendon this week.
"I'm sure Anthony himself would be wanting to hold his marks and be wanting to get to more contests and he'd want to be putting more pressure on guys on the way out. He realises that when things aren't going well they are the things that let him down.
"Without trying to put the mozz on him, his form in Anzac Day games over the years has been very, very good so we'd expect him to bounce back as soon as Friday."
Walsh criticised Collingwood's delivery into the forward 50, pointing out the Kangaroos rebounded the ball 46 out of the 63 times the Pies had it in their arc.
"The disposal coming in was very haphazard … In general our disposal has been woeful."

[Snag Breac]

Positive Vibrational Exercise

ROCCAdemption is initiating a mass PVE to support Rocca's efforts in the upcoming ANZAC game. Pies supporters are called upon to mentally transmit positive motivating vibrations towards our star forward between now and the last whistle of the game.

It's a simple business. All you have to do is conjure up a positive mental picture of Rocca scoring a goal - hold that image, then mutter mentally; "Go Rocca!". Persons fortunate enough to be at the game will be able to eyeball Rocca directly and transfer their positive thoughts immediately. Those of us at home organising 17th birthday parties, for example, will direct our efforts to the TV screen. Game attendees can also verbalise their support throughout the game and not just after Rocca has scored.

Today and tomorrow morning we can all work on our PVE as we go about our normal business, even if driving or operating heavy machinery.

Herewith a motivating poem for Rocca. I'm not a great fan of Rudyard Kipling - too much empire - but this poem, entitled "If", has worked for generations, and some of it is very relevant to his current situation.


IF YOU can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!” If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!


Go Rrrrrrroooooocccccccaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

[Pie in the Sky]

Good work Snag i'm starting my transmissions now. I'll be heading down tomorrow for the game, and will intensify my efforts as I get closer to Melbourne, reaching my peak as the game begins. I can see Anthony kicking a bag of goals tomorrow with the mental powers of the magpie army behind him!

[Snag Breac]

Good work Snag i'm starting my transmissions now. I'll be heading down tomorrow for the game, and will intensify my efforts as I get closer to Melbourne, reaching my peak as the game begins. I can see Anthony kicking a bag of goals tomorrow with the mental powers of the magpie army behind him!

I wondered why my keyboard was starting to rattle, and then I saw your post. A fine beginning, PieITS. I estimate that Anthony will be feeling the positvie effects within the hour.:eek::thumbsu:

[Snag Breac]

And now - a motivating motto for Rocca and the team. It's by James Carville:

Follow me if I advance
Kill me if I retreat
Avenge me if I die. :thumbsu:

[skeetz]

Follow me if I advance
Kill me if I retreat
Avenge me if I die. :thumbsu:




wow that is probably the best quote/motto I have ever heard!