and athletic Rocca was heavily criticised in the media. Rocca spoke out on this and was quoted as saying "he has to learn". He kicked a career best season return of 55 goals and was the club's leading goalkicker for the third time. His first half of the season was fantastic, while he struggled in the second half. He made the news in the Round 16 clash against the West Coast Eagles where he had shown the ball to umpire Hayden Kennedy, while walking off his mark, after Rocca turned-over a free kick, after a mistake by Kennedy minutes before. In round 22, Anthony played against his brother, Saverio, for Sav's farewell game before heading to the United States to become a gridiron punter. Rocca's 2008 season was highlighted by mixed form and inconsistency. He spent much of the first half of 2009 in the reserves, having been dropped from the senior side due to poor form and injury. With the continued rise of Travis Cloke and Jack Anthony, there was media speculation as to whether Rocca was needed in the senior side and some speculated that at his age he may never return. However Rocca answered his critics with some impressive form in the reserves earning a return in round 4 against the Brisbane Lions, in which he had a solid match up forward. Retirement Anthony Rocca announced his retirement on 21 September 2009. Rocca finished his AFL career with 242 games and 415 goals. In early January 2011, Rocca took up the job of assistant coach of the Magpies' VFL team alongside its new coach Tarkyn Lockyer. At the end of 2010 Rocca was promoted to 's defensive development coach, working under Craig McRae. Rocca became North Melbourne's development coach on 20 January 2021. Personal life Rocca is married to Enza Colosimo and has a daughter, Mia, and a son, Max. References External links Anthony Rocca at the Collingwood Football Club website 1977 births Living people Australian rules footballers from Melbourne Sydney Swans players Collingwood Football Club players Australian people of Italian descent Northern Knights players Reservoir Lakeside Football Club players People from Reservoir, Victoria