Zappia a Rochester, Shepparton and Tatura great

By Gus Underwood

May 20, 2025

Tony Zappia (front row, second left) pictured before Rochester’s 1963 GVL premiership win. Photo by Supplied

One of the most skilful players in the Goulburn Valley League in the 1960s died last week.

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Tony Zappia was a pharmacist who was also a skilful footballer who played with three GVL clubs — Rochester, Shepparton and Tatura.

He played in premiership sides with Rochester in 1963 in its winning premiership streak, and with Shepparton, which beat Kyabram for the flag the following year.

He finished his career at Tatura, but was forced into early retirement with injury.

A Tatura teammate and Tatura and GVL legend Freddo McMahon remembers Zappia best for his accurate left foot kicking.

‘‘He was just a beautiful kick,’’ McMahon said.

A speedy and skilful wingman, Zappia played with North Melbourne thirds in his younger years and also had few reserves games with the Roos before moving to the country as a pharmacist.

He had been living in Tatura since his playing days.

His funeral is being held on Thursday, May 22 at Tatura’s Catholic Church from 11am.

Another former GVL premiership player Ron “Spud” Florence died early this week.

Spud was a member of the Alan Murphy-coached Tongala side which beat Shepparton for the GVL flag in 1961.