AJ Roach, son of NRL gun Blocker Roach, an enforcer in water polo
He’s the son of NRL legend Steve Roach and while he plays a completely different sport, AJ Roach is still a chip off the old block.
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He is a chip off the old Blocker — a son of a gun making a name for himself in a completely different sport.
But like his former rugby league playing father Steve ‘‘Blocker’’ Roach, Aiden “AJ” Roach revels in the physicality of the game he plays.
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And while he is a star of water polo and two-time Olympian, the Ryde-based Roach admits he showed little natural flair or aptitude for the game his Balmain and Kangaroos prop father excelled at.
“I played rugby league for five years and also rugby union at school as well but I wasn't that good,’’ he said.
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“My brother jokes that I was like a baby giraffe that was just born because I was so gangly.
“Basically I was not good on land.’’
In the water, however, it was a different story and an environment Roach revelled in.
“I started to get serious about water polo when 15 and just took to it,’’ Roach said.
An enforcer in the water, Roach said the water absorbed the biggest hits but the games still had its moments.
The grappling is there, a few ear and eye gouges
“It can be pretty tough but most of the time the dirty stuff comes under water. I’ve been dusted up under there a few times,’’ Roach said.
“It’s not as tough as league because the water stops the contact. But it can be dirty.
“The grappling is there, a few ear and eye gouges.
“I like the physicality of it.’’
Roach and his Aussie Spirit teammates are working towards making the medal podium in Tokyo next year.
The Aussie Sharks are having their best Olympic preparations ever — making history in 2018 with a silver at the World Cup and then winning a bronze earlier this year at the FINA World League Final.
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Roach, who has been playing in Japan, said he was encouraged to campaign for a third Olympics because of recent results by the men’s team.
“We have alway been close but never got the cigar (at the Olympics),’’ Roach, studying commerce and doing odd jobs and coaching “to keep myself afloat”, said.
“But the recent results have been good. That’s encouraging me to play for a third Olympics.’’
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