Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the entire AFL community is behind legendary Magpies forward Anthony Rocca after the goalkicking machine revealed he was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Rocca was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma — a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system — two weeks ago after undergoing a series of tests.
The 46-year-old said he had been experiencing sharp, stabbing back pain at night for about a month before seeking medical advice.
READ MORE: Star axed, Latrell replacement named in Blues shake-up
READ MORE: ‘I’m still crying’: Hamilton breaks 945-day drought
READ MORE: Eels land prized Bellamy pupil as head coach
Eddie McGuire speaks with Collingwood players Anthony Rocca and Nathan Buckley in 2005. Robert Cianflone via Getty Images
After retiring in 2009, Rocca joined the coaching ranks at Collingwood and North Melbourne.
Now coach of the Northern Knights in the under-19 Talent League, Rocca has stepped down from his post for the rest of the season as he prepares to start a six-month period of chemotherapy in the coming weeks.
Speaking on Nine’s Eddie and Jimmy podcast, McGuire was heartened that Rocca’s condition very treatable and highly curable type of lymphoma with the appropriate treatment.
“I spoke to Anthony a couple of weeks ago and the first news that was in the inner circle was that it wasn’t great,” he said.
Anthony Rocca in action for Collingwood in 2008. The Age Sport
“I know cancer isn’t but there are degrees obviously and thankfully he’s got non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which probably in this city, in Melbourne, he couldn’t be in a better place on Earth.
“So, we’re all in behind big Anth. We love him, he’s an absolute superstar.
“We love Anthony Rocca, so good luck.”
Rocca began his AFL career with the Sydney Swans before joining the Pies in 1997. He went on to play 242 senior games and kick 415 goals across 15 seasons.
One of the Magpies’ favourite sons, Rocca was part of Collingwood’s 2002 grand final side that nearly rolled Brisbane and would have taken his place in the side the following year but was famously suspended for striking.
Rocca’s diagnosis comes after he took part in The Gathering AFL fight night in April as part of the league’s Gather Round festivities in Adelaide.
Fighting North Melbourne great Corey McKernan, Rocca won via knockout but was praised for his sportsmanship after he held McKernan up on the ropes following the bout-ending blow.
“Very classy by Anthony Rocca,” boxing great Danny Green said of Rocca’s sportsmanship.
“He hurt him in the first round with a shot. Corey, he knows he’s not a boxer. He said that himself. He was out of his depth a bit. I was so proud of this bloke by showing such class and grace.”