John Anthony Biography

Former Collingwood and Fremantle player John Anthony has been sacked by Stawell Warriors before playing a game for the club.

The 192cm forward was at the centre of an incident at the Gift Hotel in Stawell during last weekend’s Easter extravaganza, which has led to his departure.

Fremantle's Dylan Roberton and Jack Anthony will be sweating on their futures ahead of Thursday's list lodgment deadline when Fremantle will have to delist a further three players.

Fremantle football manager Chris Bond says Jack Anthony is a required player, but the former Pie's future is still up in the air.

"From our point of view, Jack's contracted for 2013 and we'll wait for Jack to get back from holidays," Bond said.

"We'll sit down with Jack when he gets back from holidays. We'll sit down and we'll just be transparent with Jack and he will be with us and we'll see where it's at."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey says he may turn struggling forward Jack Anthony into a defender.

"What I will say to people is I remember (Chris) Tarrant going through the same sort of criticism in the first two years and I turned him into a defender,'' Harvey said.

"Don't think I won't do that with Jack.''

New Fremantle recruit John Anthony says he is happy to play at either end of the ground for his new side.

"All I want to do is play senior football and I'm thankful to Brad (Lloyd) and obviously the Fremantle Football Club for giving me the chance to do so," Anthony said.

"In saying that, I've got a long road ahead of me and I've got a whole pre-season to get through. I've got to earn my spot again."

Fremantle has confirmed that it plans to pick John Anthony in next month's NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.

Collingwood delists forward John Anthony in its second list lodgement on Wednesday just prior to the 2011 national draft.

"I think the lack of interest in Jack in trade week was probably a product of his form during the year," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"By his own admission he didn't have a great year. He was selected seven times in the seniors and dropped five [times]. It's not a great recommendation for clubs to be building their hopes around.

"If a club has shown some interest in him since, well from his point of view I hope that works out."

John Anthony quits Collingwood after being frustrated with a lack of opportunities at the Magpies where he could only tally a total of seven games in 2010 after being dropped four times.

Jack Anthony kicks the winning goal with only a minute remaining after being awarded a free kick against Ben Rutten for holding in Collingwood's semi-final against Adelaide.

Eleven rounds into the season, John Anthony has seemingly come from nowhere to make the focal point of the Collingwood forward line his own.

"We feel confident as a backline that whenever we give him the ball he is going to kick a goal, and the team will be rewarded," Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell said.

"That is a massive feather in his cap, and an outstanding attribute to have at his age."

An unusual headbutt by Collingwood forward John Anthony is to come under scrutiny today.

Anthony was seen to have driven his head into North Melbourne's Scott Thompson's groin region during the third quarter of their clash.

John Anthony and Simon Taylor face time on the sidelines for on-field indisgretions.

Anthony was offered a week for headbutting Kangaroo Scott Thompson in the groin while Taylor has been handed a two-match ban for rough conduct against Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse believes forward Anthony Rocca still has a lot to offer the club despite some ordinary form to start 2009.

Malthouse believes Rocca can be a valuable mentor to up and coming Magpie forward Jack Anthony.

"Don't forget Anthony Rocca has been out for a number of weeks and hasn't had a massive pre-season," Malthouse said.

"Anthony Rocca is a very, very important player for this football club.

"When he gets enough games under his belt, he will be that instructive type of person that Jack Anthony needs."

Collingwood youngster John Anthony starred with a seven-goal haul as the Magpies cruised into the pre-season grand final.