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Rooke Pondered Code Switch

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XFactor1979

XFactor1979

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Geelong's Max Rooke pondered code switch from AFL to rugby league
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By Jay Clark
June 21, 2009 Geelong tough-nut Max Rooke has revealed he considered calling a premature end to his AFL career to play professional rugby league.
Rooke, 27, said he had developed a strong passion for the league and was "jealous" of the high number of tackles the rival code's players made.

The Cats wrecking ball revealed he sought advice last year about a possible switch and, while he stuck with Australian football, he wants to play league after he retires.

"I was talking to one of our fitness guys (Dean Robinson) about it last year, because he was involved in rugby league (at Manly)," Rooke said.

"He did think I had the potential to play it and thought I could do it. But it would be a pretty big call to make a change and take a risk like that.

"I'm probably getting a bit old now anyway, I'm 27, but I'd like to have a go at it, maybe just socially when I finish playing AFL."

At 189cm and 93kg, Rooke is almost the same size as Parramatta NRL star Jarryd Hayne.

The Cats defender-turned-forward, originally from Casterton in Victoria's western districts, met stars of the NSW State-of-Origin side in a promotional visit to Geelong last month.

As he played with the rugby league ball, Cats coach Mark Thompson made the comment his bearded hard man would not look out of place in a league team.

"He'd look the part, wouldn't he? He looks like a big tough caveman," Thompson said.

"He'd be all right in that game, I think (Jimmy) Bartel would be (good), too."

Slamming into the AFL's biggest and strongest players holds no fears for the Victorian.

So courageous is Rooke that his career highlights reel is said to have sent shivers up the spines of teammates, who rate him one of the most selfless acts in the AFL.

Rooke said he had watched an increasing amount of rugby league in recent years and had been inspired by the players' hardness.

"It makes me a bit jealous," he said of the physical demands of rugby league.

Brian Waldron, the former St Kilda chief executive who left to become boss of Melbourne Storm, said Rooke could make a damaging rugby league player and welcomed him to attend Storm training any time.

"There's no doubt watching him play from a physical point of view he would cope with the demands of the game fine," Waldron said.

"He could make a wonderful backrower. As long as he could develop the skills and tactics."

Sunday Herald Sun
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its an interesting story

he wouldve been right up there with david 'the wolfman' williams as a cult figure
 
Rooke considered a switch to play league

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25666924-5018851,00.html

Geelong tough-nut Max Rooke has revealed he considered calling a premature end to his AFL career to play professional rugby league.

Rooke, 27, said he had developed a strong passion for the league and was "jealous" of the high number of tackles the rival code's players made.

The Cats wrecking ball revealed he sought advice last year about a possible switch and, while he stuck with Australian football, he wants to play league after he retires.

"I was talking to one of our fitness guys (Dean Robinson) about it last year, because he was involved in rugby league (at Manly)," Rooke said.

"He did think I had the potential to play it and thought I could do it. But it would be a pretty big call to make a change and take a risk like that.

"I'm probably getting a bit old now anyway, I'm 27, but I'd like to have a go at it, maybe just socially when I finish playing AFL."

At 189cm and 93kg, Rooke is almost the same size as Parramatta NRL star Jarryd Hayne.

The Cats defender-turned-forward, originally from Casterton in Victoria's western districts, met stars of the NSW State-of-Origin side in a promotional visit to Geelong last month.

As he played with the rugby league ball, Cats coach Mark Thompson made the comment his bearded hard man would not look out of place in a league team.

"He'd look the part, wouldn't he? He looks like a big tough caveman," Thompson said.

"He'd be all right in that game, I think (Jimmy) Bartel would be (good), too."

Slamming into the AFL's biggest and strongest players holds no fears for the Victorian.

So courageous is Rooke that his career highlights reel is said to have sent shivers up the spines of teammates, who rate him one of the most selfless acts in the AFL.

Rooke said he had watched an increasing amount of rugby league in recent years and had been inspired by the players' hardness.

"It makes me a bit jealous," he said of the physical demands of rugby league.

Brian Waldron, the former St Kilda chief executive who left to become boss of Melbourne Storm, said Rooke could make a damaging rugby league player and welcomed him to attend Storm training any time.

"There's no doubt watching him play from a physical point of view he would cope with the demands of the game fine," Waldron said.

"He could make a wonderful backrower. As long as he could develop the skills and tactics."
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I wasn't a big fan of Rooke's skillset when he first started but the way he's developed himself into one of the hardest players out there has won my respect over the past few years.

Best part of playing footy is tackling. Love it and those who are great exponents of it.
 
XFactor1979 said:


its an interesting story

he wouldve been right up there with david 'the wolfman' williams as a cult figure
Click to expand...

Wow. Very interesting.

Williams always reminds me of Rooke, but Rooke got to that image first!
 

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Don't you just love it when a player says, "(he) was "jealous" of the high number of tackles the rival code's players made." Got to like the bloke for being that committed to tackling in general.
 
he would be interesting, could have been a good winger/centre...is tought player too, even a lock
 
I might actually watch a rugby game if he played.

Also, I didn't realise Maxy was that tall.
 
I agree he would be right up there with Wolfman - actually I follow both codes and they're both my favourite players (each in their own code of course). The caveman look appeals to me!
 

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