- Banned
- #1
AFL.COM
Collingwood star Anthony Rocca has declared himself on target for a big 2006 in news that is sure to put a smile on the faces of all Magpie fans this Christmas.
Rocca, the Pies' centre half forward and arguably their most important player, endured a frustrating 2005 season when he suffered a season ending achilles injury in round four.
Rocca's absence on top of that of skipper Nathan Buckley (11 games missed), Josh Fraser (17 games) and Alan Didak (10 games) meant the Pies were a shadow of the team that was runner-up in 2002 and 2003 as they ended the season in 15th place.
But with the all important pre-Christmas training nearly complete, Rocca has given Pies' fans the news they most want to hear - he is in great shape.
"I feel like I am running the strongest I have ever run," Rocca told collingwoodfc.com.au in an exclusive interview.
Rocca, who will notch his 200th game in 2006 given an injury-free season, said he has been careful not to overdo it though as he bids to return from the most serious injury of his career.
"Once every week or once every second week I have had to pull back from training," he said.
"It’s a decision I have made, along with the fitness staff."
"I very much manage my own body – I am the person I think who knows my body best but I am in great shape heading in to the Christmas break."
Rocca said the Pies have much to look forward to in 2006 after bottom four finishes in the past two years.
"The past two years have been particularly average," he said.
"There have been factors that have contributed to this but the biggest factor has been probably that our mental attitude has not been anywhere near to that of the two years before that.
Rocca said the Pies had some exciting youngsters in their ranks after nine players debuted in 2005 with the club having picked up five more draftees this year led by number pick two Dale Thomas.
"Boys like (Chris) Egan, Travis (Cloke) and Sean (Rusling) will play a big role this year," Rocca said.
"We (the senior players) have to keep them on a steady ship going forward. You often hear about the term second year blues - but these guys are showing a lot of promise.
"If we can get every player on the track, fighting fit and raring to go – it’s going to be hard to get a game.
Collingwood star Anthony Rocca has declared himself on target for a big 2006 in news that is sure to put a smile on the faces of all Magpie fans this Christmas.
Rocca, the Pies' centre half forward and arguably their most important player, endured a frustrating 2005 season when he suffered a season ending achilles injury in round four.
Rocca's absence on top of that of skipper Nathan Buckley (11 games missed), Josh Fraser (17 games) and Alan Didak (10 games) meant the Pies were a shadow of the team that was runner-up in 2002 and 2003 as they ended the season in 15th place.
But with the all important pre-Christmas training nearly complete, Rocca has given Pies' fans the news they most want to hear - he is in great shape.
"I feel like I am running the strongest I have ever run," Rocca told collingwoodfc.com.au in an exclusive interview.
Rocca, who will notch his 200th game in 2006 given an injury-free season, said he has been careful not to overdo it though as he bids to return from the most serious injury of his career.
"Once every week or once every second week I have had to pull back from training," he said.
"It’s a decision I have made, along with the fitness staff."
"I very much manage my own body – I am the person I think who knows my body best but I am in great shape heading in to the Christmas break."
Rocca said the Pies have much to look forward to in 2006 after bottom four finishes in the past two years.
"The past two years have been particularly average," he said.
"There have been factors that have contributed to this but the biggest factor has been probably that our mental attitude has not been anywhere near to that of the two years before that.
Rocca said the Pies had some exciting youngsters in their ranks after nine players debuted in 2005 with the club having picked up five more draftees this year led by number pick two Dale Thomas.
"Boys like (Chris) Egan, Travis (Cloke) and Sean (Rusling) will play a big role this year," Rocca said.
"We (the senior players) have to keep them on a steady ship going forward. You often hear about the term second year blues - but these guys are showing a lot of promise.
"If we can get every player on the track, fighting fit and raring to go – it’s going to be hard to get a game.
