Anthony Minichiello has announced his retirement after 15 years in the top grade for the Sydney Roosters. It’s an amazing achievement, and he is one of the greatest ever Roosters of all time.
Starting his career on the wing, a tiny framed Minichiello had his dream come true when he made his debut in a loss against the Bulldogs, starting off the bench in the number 19 jersey.
From then on, he never started on the bench again, and a legend was born.
Playing alongside Brad Fittler, he would appear in four grand final seasons out of his first five years in first grade, winning the 2002 grand final against the New Zealand Warriors.
In 2002, he scored 16 tries and had one of his finest years.
The retirement of Luke Phillips after the grand final allowed “Mini” to change positions to fullback. A position which made him the legend he is now. From then on he never looked back. In 2004, his second full year at fullback, he scored a career high 18 tries and was named the Dally M fullback of the year.
His form would lead to his selection for City, the New South Wales Blues side and Australia. He would win three State of Origin series alongside some of the greatest players, including Andrew Johns, and he won the player of the series in 2005.
Then, it happened. His career was set to be over. A serious back injury in 2006 forced Minichiello onto the sidelines. He then went on to play 33 games in four seasons of football. It was absolutely devastating for fans of the game and the Roosters.
He never wanted to retire until it was on his own terms. In 2010 he was finally fit and played in every game of the season, another grand final year. Mini started on the wing and ended up back at fullback after Todd Carney switched to five-eighth.
Minichiello then became, once again, the safest fullback in the game. Every time a bomb went up, Roosters fans never feared, because they saw their man, Minichiello, at the back.
In 2013, when Braith Anasta left, Minichiello was finally honored with captaining the club. From there the Roosters returned to their powerhouse status and won the 2013 grand final against Manly. Anthony Minichiello lifted the premiership trophy for the first time since 2002.
Anthony will now hope he can lead the Roosters to back-to-back premierships. He is currently the leading try scorer for the Roosters this year, returning to some of his best form.
A legend on and off the field, Minichiello leaves the game as one of the most respected players of the century.
A one club man, two grand final victories, leading try scorer of all time for the Roosters (132 tries), 11 State of Origins, 18 Tests for Australia, three Tests for Italy as captain, the 2005 Golden Boot winner and four City-Country appearances.
It’s been an amazing career. Enjoy retirement Mini, you deserve it.
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