Matt Cleary 15/09/2024

MICHAEL Roche was known as ‘Cocka’ as a nod to Al Pacino’s character, Tony Montana, from the movie Scarface (1981). A better nickname was draped over his younger brother, Tim, who was known as ‘Cockatoo’.“Cocka was a wonderful backrower. Tough, smart, ‘everywhere’; he was a quiet achiever, the glue sides need at the breakdown,” Geoff Didier says.“He could be very aggressive in his moments. But as a captain, generally speaking, he was a school prefect. He was great for Royals and had a big influence. It can’t be underestimated.”John Kelsey says Roche had “great presence on the field and was...