Anthony Rocca Appreciation Thread

[PieLebo87]

I remember last year with Buckley I'd get this feeling/emotion which was difficult to explain, like I knew it was all coming to an end, and I just wanted to appreciate seeing him running around in the black and white for the last few times, and it felt good each time he just touched the footy.

Im getting that exact same feeling with Anthony Rocca now. Like that run down the wing and kick to Wood, I had that same feeling seeing him doing it. Its like Im just appreciating his presence in the black and white, because it'd be numbered.

Not for anyone but Anthony Rocca, who has been a great servant to the Collingwood FC, he should not risk that ankle in '09 and focus on a spectacular NFL career. If he can come back in '08 and play a farewell game, having announced his retirement beforehand, during the finals, it would inspire the Magpies to victory, and he gets his swansong.

Guys, some of you enjoy talking him down but just realise he has been integral to the Collingwood FC over the last 10 years. More then integral, because as the great man (Buckley) once said, Rocca, in his prime, is the most important player at Collingwood, he was our barometer.

Statistics can never express the value this man provided to the Collingwood FC and thats a shame, but we should be proud that we were in an era that got to watch him strut his stuff and there was always more to him then a 70-metre drop punt goal.

Pebbles has played 238 games AFL games, 216 of those with the Magpies, 411 goals, 400 of them with us and some of his career highlights include his 8 goals against the Hawks, his 21 possessions, 10 marks, 16 hitouts and 3 goals against the Eagles in a 1-point win for the Pies and 21 possessions, 12 marks and 4 goals against the Dees.

Show your appreciation too..

 

[Pie Legend]

Strutting his stuff on the biggest day on the football calender; Grand Final Day '02.

4 goals, plus a point that went 'over' the post. Unbelivable performance againest that mighty lions team.

Will be missed big time once he goes

 

[jasonwilde]

Love ya Ant!
Will be sorely missed.
Hope you calve it up in the NFL.

(Thanks for the memories you monster!)

 

[Optimax]

Was my faviourite players for years and years, i will neevr forget the feeling of euphoria his 70 meter goals give every time he kicks one.

From his 2 goal against essendon on anzag day form 70+, the one that broke the back of an adelaide charge in the prelim 02, the feeling that he was going to lead us to a preimership in 02 (even with his missed goal until he got injured we were a chance).

Just last year the final against sydney, i thought we were ____ed when he went off injured and knew we would win when he was otu after half time, nothing better than his first goal of the second half outisde ffity from the boundary line, the 3 game breaking goals against the eagles in the semi. Big ant always stood up when we were at our lowest ebb.

I will never forget how much anthgony loved the club and i hope i get too see him play just one more season for the pies so he can leave on his terms

 

[Chase the Ace]

Did he die or something?

Who said he won't be back?
Not him

 

[Optimax]

Did he die or something?

Who said he won't be back?
Not him

No one and we all want him back although we probably wotn see him again this year.

So just post your faviourite rocca memories, i dont think he is finsihed and i posted my memories of the big bloke

 

[Chase the Ace]

My memories will be of him in this years finals series

 

[Optimax]

My memories will be of him in this years finals series

Here is hopinmg he is back and fit for them

Hasnt played a bad final while some what fit yet

 

[Pie eyed]

I really appreciate Anthony but I will appreciate him more in this next game.
I am not going to write him off until I hear it from his own mouth.

He has been a fantastic servant for our club and deserves to be treated as the great key position player he is and has been since he donned the Black and White.

There is always a beer in my fridge for both A. Rocca and S.Rocca.
If and when he decides it is time I will certainly have a long ruminate over his
exciting and entertaining career.

Pebs, I'm hoping you have another recovery in you....don't let em down.

 

[magpie 13]

I think he'll play one more year.

 

[stui magpie]

I love the guy. He's always one of the first bagged when we lose, but his value to the team goes way beyond the stats.

I'll never forget that torpedo goal against Essendon, can't remember what year. Will be sorely missed when he does hang them up, and I'd be extraordinarily proud to buy him a beer one day.

 

[swiftdog]

He got us into the 2002 granny. HUGE goal from about 70 metres out against the Crows, were never going to lose from there.

Love ya Ant

 

[wegs on pendles]

Luv Ya Pebs.

 

[ad4eva]

The clearance from Benny Johnson, to the run and carry of Ryan Lonie then the mark and bomb from Anthony Rocca in that 2002 Prelimanary Final with 89,000 Magpie fans making the loudest roar ive ever heard was simply amazing and my number one favourite memory.

I really do believe had Anthony not have been suspended we would have beaten Brisbane in that Grand Final. The feeling was flat and uninspiring knowing that he wasnt in the side, which indicates just how good he was while his brilliant 4 goals in a wet slog on '02 was inspiring. Had that behind been judged a goal it would have been his 5th, along with a Norm Smith Medal and a Premiership Medallion for Pebbles.

 

[alfiiee]

4 goals, plus a point that went 'over' the post.

anybody know where that footage is ?

 

[PieLebo87]

The clearance from Benny Johnson, to the run and carry of Ryan Lonie then the mark and bomb from Anthony Rocca in that 2002 Prelimanary Final with 89,000 Magpie fans making the loudest roar ive ever heard was simply amazing and my number one favourite memory

Definitely love to see a YouTube clip of this....

anybody know where that footage is ?

And this...

 

[Snag Breac]

This thread is cracking my leathery old heart.

 

[popathon]

Good ol' Pebbes. Nothing makes me happier than seeing him take off on a lead, receive it outside 50, turn around huffing and puffing and smashing it through the big sticks 8 rows back.
I hope he isn't gone yet, deserves to go on his terms.

 

[Ilch]

rumour has it, and i DO say RUMOUR, but it is said that this will be big Anths last season at Collingwood. It is beleived that management with his brother Sav have already been working on trying to get Anth over to the NFL, and after this latest injury setback it is beleived that Anthony will head over a couple years earlier than he expected to try his luck before more injuries ruin his chances.

I know people will jump down my throat on this and sources, well they are word of mouth from people who do work at the club in minor capacities.

I like everyone else do not wat to see Anth leave but we all know that he is conidering an NFL career, so this might be it.

 

[pongo_3931]

When asked about an NRL Career on AFL Game Day on channel 7 this year he said he had not considered anything at all because the moment he started talking about it, it was going to detract from his footy and his head was still in AFL footy.

That's the last I've heard from the big man on the issue.

 

[derro]

he was good but not suited to the game anymore its too fast. doubt he will come back when rusling reid dawes wil be all rdy to step up next next season

 

[Snag Breac]

I hate you all.

I'm in denial.

 

[Unique]

Strutting his stuff on the biggest day on the football calender; Grand Final Day '02.

4 goals, plus a point that went 'over' the post. Unbelivable performance againest that mighty lions team.

Will be missed big time once he goes

It is calendar, not calender.

 

[swiftdog]

Definitely love to see a YouTube clip of this.......

Starts at 2.07
[YOUTUBE]BQtgy6GGkB8[/YOUTUBE]

And this...

 

[AsianWithAFro]

Strutting his stuff on the biggest day on the football calender; Grand Final Day '02.

4 goals, plus a point that went 'over' the post. Unbelivable performance againest that mighty lions team.

Will be missed big time once he goes

should have been 5 stupid Leppitsch that lying cheat.