Anthony Rocca

Anthony Rocca is a former Australian Football League (AFL) star and one of the most recognisable key forwards of his era. Known for his powerful marking, physical presence, and booming long kick, Rocca built a distinguished 15-season career with the Sydney Swans and the Collingwood Football Club.

Originally selected with the No. 2 pick in the 1994 AFL Draft, Rocca began his career in Sydney before returning to Melbourne in 1997 to join Collingwood, the club he supported growing up. Over his AFL career he played 242 games and kicked 415 goals, including 220 games and more than 400 goals for Collingwood.

A dominant presence in attack, Rocca led Collingwood’s goalkicking four times and was a key figure in the club’s early-2000s resurgence, including its 2002 and 2003 Grand Final campaigns. His strength, competitiveness, and ability to kick goals from long range made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition.

Following his retirement from playing in 2009, Rocca transitioned into coaching and player development roles within the AFL system. He has worked with emerging talent and key-position players at clubs including Collingwood and the North Melbourne Football Club, helping guide the next generation of elite footballers.

Today, Anthony Rocca is a sought-after speaker who draws on his experiences in elite sport to share insights on teamwork, resilience, leadership, and high-performance culture. His engaging storytelling and candid reflections on life in professional sport make him a compelling presenter for corporate events, leadership forums, and sporting audiences alike.