Sav Rocca
Known for his ability to kick long distances, Rocca retired from Australian football at the age of 32 to pursue a career in the NFL.When he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, he became the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL (breaking the record set by another Australian, Ben Graham).He then returned to Australia after the end of his NFL career, and worked as a kicking and ruck coach for the Carlton Football Club from 2015 to 2020.[citation needed] He began his sporting life in athletics, coached by George Bertolacci, and was a junior champion in shot put and also the discus.During the 2006 season, Rocca was dropped to the Victorian Football League, playing games with North Ballarat, the Kangaroos' reserve team affiliate.In preparation for a continued professional sporting career, he began training as an American football punter, appearing in a video shot at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne showing his significant kicking range to talent scouts.[22] In Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, with ten seconds left in the game, Rocca made an impressive tackle on Patrick Peterson, who attempted to make a punt return.[24] On 29 October 2012, it was reported that Rocca had been playing with a torn meniscus in his kicking leg for the last two games and the Redskins planned to keep using him despite the injury.[30] In April 2015, it was reported that Rocca was recruited to work part-time at the Carlton Football Club as a forwards mentor for players such as Levi Casboult.[32] Rocca departed Carlton in March 2020 as AFL clubs shed their staffing due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.
Sal RoccaCarltonMelbourneVictoriaReservoir LakesideCollingwoodFootscrayFull forwardcentre half-forwardKangaroosCopeland TrophyAnzac Day MedalAFL Rising StarVFL/AFL Italian Team of the CenturyPunterPhiladelphia EaglesWashington RedskinsPro Football ReferenceAustralian rules footballAustralian Football LeagueAmerican footballNational Football Leagueall-time goalscoring listbest and fairestMatthew RichardsonKevin BartlettColeman MedalBen GrahamCarlton Football Clubathleticsshot putdiscusReservoir-Lakeside Football ClubDiamond Valley Football LeagueAnthony RoccaPreston, VictoriaAnzac Day matchEssendonTony ModraNorth Melbourne Football Club2000 AFL draftVictorian Football LeagueNorth Ballaratreserve teamaffiliateDocklands Stadiumfather–son rulegridironTacklesHandballsJacksonville JaguarsBuffalo BillsDirk JohnsonAntwan BarnesBaltimore RavensplacekickerDavid AkersNew York Jetsfree agency2011 season2010 seasonSam PaulescuJosh BidwellHunter SmithArizona CardinalsPatrick Petersonmeniscus2013 seasonLevi Casboult2017 AFL seasonAndrew McKayCOVID-19 pandemic in AustraliaLinkedInAFL.com.auThe AgeCarroll County (Maryland) TimesThe News JournalWilmington, DelawarePhiladelphia InquirerESPN.comCopeland Trophy • Collingwood Football Club best and fairest winnersS. CoventryH. CollierA. CollierRumneyG. CoventryFothergillWhelanMurphyPannamUttingHealeyTwomeyWeidemanMerrettGabelichTuddenhamGrahamWatersThompsonMcKennaRichardsonCarmanR. ShawPickenWilliamsP. DaicosT. ShawFellowesMillaneFrancisMcGuaneBuckleyLicuriaClementPendleburySidebottomGrundyJ. DaicosN. DaicosCollingwood Football Club · leading goalkickersGillardRowellLockwoodC. PannamBaxter