 It was during his childhood that Anthony showed his love for sport, namely Australian rules football, playing in the Northern Riverina Football League (NRFL) on Saturdays while playing rugby league at school carnivals.It was during his time in the NRFL that Anthony won several best & fairest awards before he moved to Wagga Wagga for TAFE, where he would play for Turvey Park in the South West District Football League.It was in 1980 that both the South Melbourne and Essendon Football Clubs approached Anthony for his signature.