Australian Football

Given his highly impressive physique, his formidable strength, and his almost unequalled marking ability it would seem fair to suggest that key position forward Saverio Rocca did not quite achieve everything he might have done in the game. There were probably many reasons for this, some obvious, and others difficult to pin down. For one thing, just as he was probably reaching his peak as a player in 1996 he suffered a debilitating shoulder injury from which he arguably never fully recovered. There was also the fact that some of his basic football skills were less than exemplary. His kicking for goal often let him down, for example, and his recovery speed after contesting a mark left much to be desired. Nevertheless, looked at objectively, Rocca's career has to be adjudged a success, and what cannot be denied is that, for much of his time at Collingwood, he was by some measure the club's most popular player.

Originally from Reservoir Lakeside in the Diamond Valley Football League, Rocca made his AFL debut with Collingwood in 1991, and topped the club's goal kicking list for the first time two years later, a feat he was to accomplish no fewer than seven times in succession. He enjoyed easily his best season in 1995, the season before his shoulder injury, kicking 93 goals for the year, and winning the Copeland Trophy as the Magpies' best and fairest player.

As the 90s went on, however, Rocca's form declined, and it was no real surprise when he was delisted at the end of a 2000 season that saw him manage just 27 goals in 12 appearances. He was subsequently picked up by the Kangaroos, where he showed slightly improved form for a while, topping the club's goal kicking list in his first two seasons, and again in 2004. When he retired at the end of the 2006 season Rocca had played 101 games and kicked 234 goals in a blue and white jumper to add to his career record of 156 games and 514 goals with the 'Pies.

Author - John Devaney