What club did you support growing up?
Essendon. I went to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School and the junior school was right across the road from Windy Hill, so it was sort of compulsory.
Using one word, how would you describe the life of an AFL footballer?
Intense.
What is your favourite team to play against and why?
I guess Essendon because I used to barrack for them.
Is the game becoming too fast?
Not really. I think it's moving with the times. The pace has absolutely picked up, but in saying that, we play on better surfaces, indoors, and we just train that way. I guess if you fight it, you would get bowled over by it. So you don't fight it, you just move with it, and just adapt.
What is your favourite football memory?
Being involved in some past and present players' milestone games. They're great thrills to be involved in. I've also enjoyed seeing the development of Adam Cooney, because he's standing behind me right now. He's really given me a great thrill, although I've probably guided him through his career so far. Seriously, I think one of the most memorable occasions was my first game. It was against Collingwood, round one, 1993. It was my boyhood dream to play AFL footy, and I finally got the opportunity.
What would you call the new Gold Coast and West Sydney team if you had naming power?
The Gold Coast Dudes, because there's a lot of surfer dudes up there and it would be a pretty gnarly name, and the West Sydney . . . Scorpions. I don't know why; because it's got an 'S'?
If you could be any other player, who would you be?
At the moment, I'd be Adam Cooney. He's got the AFL world at his feet and he's a terrific fella.
THE TEAM
Who's the most annoying player to room with when you go interstate, and why?
I don't room with anyone and haven't for a long time, but on reflection, I would have to say me. I'm a fidgeter, I'm very restless in my sleep, and I would think that if you asked that question to most of the blokes around here, they'd say me.
What's the funniest prank any of your teammates have played on you?
The prawns in the car is probably the funniest. Under the backseat or passenger seat. It hasn't happened to me, but it has happened to players in the past. Very difficult to get the smell out of the car. I haven't done it to anyone though because I reckon what goes around, comes around, so it's better to keep clean.
Who considers himself the most fashionable at the club?
Danny Giansiracusa. He's a very smooth mover and dresses very well.
Who would be the most un-fashionable?
I would have thought Will Minson. I think we're consistent about this in the team. Will just needs to buy tops that are the next size up, and he just wears some different clothes.
Who's got the best singing voice?
I would have thought me, but Robert Murphy is up there. He's pretty happy to tell everyone about it too.
What's an amusing fact about one of your teammates that not many people know?
Peter Street is doing work in the police force, work experience, and because he's doing it he thinks they should give him a gun or a capsicum spray. That's a bit different.
If you had to pick one of your teammates to take on a date, who would it be?
Danny-G, because he's good looking and it's always nice to have someone good looking with you.
What's the funniest Rocket moment you can think of?
I was in the coaching box a couple of weeks ago, and just some of the off the cuff comments he has to say about certain things that happen in a game. I won't elaborate on them, but they were very amusing.
AT HOME
Who do you live with?
My wife and my three kids.
Who does the cooking?
Not me. We'd starve if I cooked. My wife cooks.
How are you in the kitchen?
Terrible. My son reckons I can't cook toast. That's not good. So I told him to get his own.
If you were having Rodney Eade around for dinner, what would you cook?
Basic meat and three veg. Maybe a lamb roast – you can never go wrong with a lamb roast.
Who does the housework at your place?
The majority my wife does, but I'm willing to help out every now and again.
What's your most used appliance and why?
Coffee machine. I love my coffee. I've got an automatic frothing coffee machine from De'Longhi.
Do you have any pets?
We have a pet dog, a golden retriever called Ebony, and a bird. A little one in a cage.
What is your most annoying habit?
Restless sleeper.
RANDOM QUESTIONS
Are you generally a cat or dog person?
Dog person.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
Matches so I could build a fire, a fishing rod so I could catch things to eat, although I'd need my wife to cook, and someone to talk to.
What's your ideal holiday spot?
McCray on the Mornington Peninsular, or Noosa.
What's your idea of a perfect day?
Very simple – beach in the morning, relax in the afternoon, and a couple of beers at night.
What action hero would you most like to be, and why?
The Incredible Hulk. I was impressed how he could turn green and be so muscly.
What sort of car do you drive?
Holden Crewman Ute.
What's the most embarrassing song on your I-Pod?
'Wind Beneath My Wings', by whatever her name is. It's on an 80s CD I downloaded, and gets fast-forwarded pretty quick.
