Anthony Against The 9er.

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HeraldSun
13/03/20:

Don't Rocca boat
13 March 2003 Herald Sun

HE IS the man most likely to benefit from it, yet Anthony Rocca doesn't want a bar of the new nine-point super goal.

The Magpies spearhead, who is one of the longest kicks in the competition, is happy for the rule to stay in the Wizard Cup but is against it becoming a fixture of the regular season.

While the Pies have led the way in the nine-point conversions from outside the 50m arc, Rocca is yet to get on the scoreboard with a nine-pointer.

In last week's semi-final against Geelong, the Magpies kicked five super goals, with captain Nathan Buckley contributing two.

Pies coach Mick Malthouse has thrown his support behind the rule's introduction for the premiership season, saying it has ignited the imagination of the players and fans.

Rocca agreed the rule got the crowd excited, but said he was a traditionalist when it came to interfering with the game he loves.

"I don't want to change any rules," he said. "Keep the game the way it is. There is nothing wrong with the game the way it is."

The Pies trained behind closed doors yesterday as they stepped up their preparation for Saturday night's Wizard Cup final against Adelaide at Telstra Dome. Rocca said the memory of last year's heart-breaking Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Lions would play a factor this weekend.

"While we're still looking at improving and getting our game right for Round 1, it is a grand final," the Pies vice-captain said.

"And a little part of it will be looking at making amends for last year. While it is obviously different, it would be a bit of a confidence-booster if we got over the line, particularly for the supporters who have suffered a bit of heartbreak."

The 25-year-old, who kicked four goals and was one of the Pies' best in the Grand Final, admitted the nine-point loss still played on his mind.

"I'm hurting in a way still," Rocca said.

"So would everyone else. For a couple of weeks afterwards it really hurt, because we were so close, and if a couple of things had gone our way, then we could have won it.

"But the good thing is it looks like everyone here has got a desire to make amends for last year."

Football manager Neil Balme said the Pies were clear of injuries, with dashing half-back Ryan Lonie expected to play after a bout of gastro.