 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.