Anthony Battle, a dedicated Hawks fan, says his nickname came from more than just aBy Cam Scott
A LONG time ago in a bathtub far, far away, a nickname was born that would stick with Anthony Battle for life.
As an innocent fouryearold sharing a bath with his young cousins (who didn’t back in those days?), a simple inquiry about the human anatomy landed him the nickname Tossle, which was soon shortened to Toss.
Toss, as he is now known by everyone bar a few resistant female relatives, has not only learnt to embrace his name, but insists on people using it.
Even where he coaches junior soccer with the Berwick City Soccer Club under 10 Leopards, he always introduces himself as Toss.
“When I meet new people and parents of the kids I coach, I say ‘I’m not going to tell you my real name but my nickname’s Toss and that’s what everyone calls me’,” he said.
“Certain people will not call me Toss, mainly elderly women like my motherinlaw and a few aunties.
“When they do call me, it’s ‘Anthony’, and I know they either want something or I’m in trouble. You can’t win everyone over on the nickname.”
Despite putting up with constant jibes about the connotations of his nickname, Toss is sticking with his beloved nickname, like it or not.
“I prefer it more so than my real name,” he said.
“I like it, it’s just unique. It’s a good thing having a nickname.”
Well, perhaps not unique, as he has met one other Toss on his journey’s’ and still sees him every so often.
“I’ve met one other, he lives in Traralgon. We’ll say ‘Gidday Toss, gidday Toss’ it sounds funny when you actually say it.”
