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Rocca was a favourite of the Magpie Army during his 220 game career at Collingwood.

He grew up in Reservoir in Melbourne's northern suburbs - Collingwood heartland - and was drafted to Sydney ahead of the 1995 season. He played 22 games for the Swans and was an emergency for the 1996 Grand Final. He requested a trade to Collingwood where he joined his older brother Saverio in 1997.

Rocca became the focal point in Collingwood's forward line for a decade, assuming the mantle of the number one man in attack when Saverio was delisted at the end of 2000. He was runner up in the 1999 Copeland Trophy, often playing at centre half back, and was one of the best afield in the 2002 Grand Final with four goals.

After 50-goal seasons in 2006 and 2007, Rocca was struck down by injury in his later years. He returned to make some cameo appearances in 2009, when he retired on his own terms at the end of the season.

The big-kicking forward opted not to join Saverio in trying out as a punter in American Football and instead moved into a part-time role at the Magpies working closely with the VFL side and in particular its key forwards, where he coached alongside Gavin Brown, Paul Licuria, Luke Beveridge, Tarkyn Lockyer and Craig McRae.

At the end of 2011, Rocca was promoted to the role of full time defensive development coach, working under McRae.

Playing Career: Sydney 1995-1996 (22 games, 11 goals), Collingwood 1997-2009 (220 games, 404 goals). Total games 242, Total goals 415.

Honours: 2nd Best and Fairest (1999), leading goalkicker (2000, 2002 (equal with Chris Tarrant), 2006, 2007), vice-captain (2001-2006).

Coaching Career: Collingwood (part-time VFL forward line assistant) 2010-2011.

Coached By: Ron Barassi (1995-1996), Tony Shaw (1997-1999), Mick Malthouse (2000-2009).

Coached With: Luke Beveridge (2010), Gavin Brown (2010), Paul Hudson (2010), Matthew Lappin (2011), Tarkyn Lockyer (2011), Craig McRae (2011), Nathan Buckley (2010-2011), Paul Licuria (2010-2011), Mick Malthouse (2010-2011), Mark Neeld (2010-2011), Scott Watters (2010-2011).

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