 Anthony eventually decided to play for South Melbourne, who were in the process of relocating to Sydney at the time.From 1981-1994 Anthony played for South Melbourne/Sydney and Essendon in the VFL/AFL, playing 233 games and playing in the 1990 Grand Final with Essendon, which they lost to Collingwood.He also made history alongside his brothers when they became the first quartet of brothers to play for the same team in a State of Origin match and in a home-and-away game.