mmg.com.au

Collingwood champion Anthony Rocca will become a Redleg for a day on June 22.

The 35-year-old, who retired from the AFL four years ago after 220 games with the Magpies and 22 for the Sydney Swans, will pull on the boots for Tallygaroopna for its match against Stanhope.

The coup came about thanks to Collingwood premiership player Steele Sidebottom’s connection to both clubs.

Two of Sidebottom’s brothers — Josh and Trent — play for the Redlegs.

Rocca will be at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve before the senior game and the star attraction at a sportsman’s night the same day.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to it. It will be a good weekend to play a game of footy and interact with the locals,’’ Rocca said.

‘‘I miss playing footy. I don’t miss the training, but it just gives me an opportunity to run around with the players.

‘‘Let’s just have a bit of fun, interact a little bit with the players and, hopefully, get a win and kick a couple of goals for the crowd.’’

Rocca, who kicked a combined 67 goals in 19 games for Northern Football League side West Preston-Lakeside the past two seasons, said he was also likely to play a match for Morwell this season.

But the Magpies’ development and VFL forward-line coach said he may not venture far enough afield to launch one of his trademark 50m-plus goals.

‘‘I’ll be fit enough to run around inside the 50m arc ... (but) my running is not as good as my contested marking — let’s say that,’’ Rocca said.

‘‘I’m sure we’ll get cheers either way if I go for (a long-range attempt). If it comes off I’ll get a cheer and if it doesn’t I’ll get a jeer.

‘‘It’s Collingwood’s bye weekend, so Steele Sidebottom will be there and I’m tipping he’ll be the one sledging me from behind the gate.’’

Rocca said he was ‘‘more of a question-and-answer guy’’ when it came to sportsman’s nights, but promised to answer ‘‘as honestly and appropriately as possible’’.

Tallygaroopna president Dean Jones said having Rocca for a match would provide a big boost for the club and town.

‘‘We’ve been thinking about this for 12 to 18 months. You’ve got to look outside the square to make money these days, because it’s becoming harder and harder,’’ Jones said.

‘‘He’s a drawcard and he’s not long out of the game.

‘‘He’ll be there for the day and night and we’ll be looking at having a match-day function and night function and other general bits and pieces, but we’ll confirm more later.’’