Saverio Rocca
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| Personal Info | |
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| Birth | November 20, 1973, |
| Recruited from | North Reservoir-Lakeside |
| Height/Weight | 195cm / 112kg |
| Playing Career¹ | |
| Debut | 1992, Collingwood vs. , at |
| Team(s) | Collingwood (1992-2000)
156 games, 514 goals Kangaroos (2001-2006) 101 games, 234 goals |
| ¹ Statistics to end of 2006 season | |
| Career Highlights | |
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Saverio "Sav" Rocca (born November 20, 1973) was an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He is currently attempting to break into the American equivalant of AFL, the NFL (National Football League), thanks largely to his booming long torpedo kicks, which he was renowned for in the AFL.
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[edit] Early career
A big man, who was junior athletics champion in shotput, Rocca was recruited to Collingwood in 1991. He was a strong full-forward with a huge kick, he showed true signs as a key player to the Magpies in his debut season of 1992. In 1993 however, he quickly got the attention from the crowds, kicking 73 goals including two hauls of 10 goals in a matter of 3 weeks, and the following season 49 goals.
A huge kick, he could kick the ball dead straight over 60 metres which was a spectacular sight for Pies fans. In 1995 he had his best season, almost getting 100 goals, falling short with 93 in only 21 games. He played a massive game in the traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster, kicking 9 goals, and he bagged another 10 goals weeks later against the Crows. He also chipped in at the top of the table in the Pies best and fairest award. He continued to show he was a strong full-forward and always at the top in what seemed a disappointing side when it came to the ladder, he kicked bags of 66, 76 and 68 in the next 3 seasons, with him coming second in the Coleman Medal for 1997 behind Tony Modra.
His form however slipped, kicking only 60 goals in the next two seasons, despite winning his 7th consecutive leading goalkicker award in 1999 with only 33 goals, he was delisted after more than 150 games and over 500 goals for the club.
[edit] Kangaroos career
Despite being delisted, he was drafted to the Kangaroos, where he made a new beginning. He was experienced and looking older, but he was only 27 when picked up and was seen to have plenty of years left in him standing in the goalsquare. He was successful kicking 98 goals in his first two seasons, enough to be the Roos leading goalkicker on each occasion. His form once again slipped and slipped over the years but was still a key member when needed, he has kicked his 700th goal in 2005, and set to play game 250.
[edit] 2006 season
During the 2006 season, Rocca has been overlooked for selection for many Kangaroos games despite admirable form, including a bag of 6 goals in a 77-point loss to Collingwood where he was one of the few players to put in a solid performance.
He was given little game time and was dropped after Round 5, where he returned to the VFL with North Ballarat. In his first game with the Roosters he booted 7 goals straight, but was again left out of the senior Kangaroo side.
Rocca sustained a hamstring injury in round 10 of the VFL. In his 6 VFL games up to that time, he had averaged 4.83 goals.
At 32 and under contract until the end of the season, Rocca would seem close to retirement from the AFL, however has trained as an NFL punter, appearing in a video shot at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne showing his immense kicking range. He may yet have a career in the American sport. Rocca remained at the Kangaroos to reach the 100 game milestone so that the father-son rule applies for his family. [1]
In an emotional farewell in the Round 22 match against his old club Collingwood, Rocca booted 3 goals. He was to leave for the United States on a trial as a gridiron punter the following Tuesday.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by: Gavin Brown, Nathan Buckley |
Copeland Trophy winner 1995 |
Succeeded by: Nathan Buckley |
