AFL great Anthony Rocca shares ‘heartfelt’ chemotherapy update after shock cancer diagnosis

Collingwood goalkicking great Anthony Rocca has shared a positive outlook on his cancer battle following the final day of his sixth and last round of chemotherapy.

The 47-year-old was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year after a battery of tests and scans.

Rocca stepped back from his role as coach of under-18s side Northern Knights to tackle his treatment.

He revealed on Tuesday the chemotherapy had been successful, with two years of maintenance immunotherapy now on the cards.

“I’m fortunate to be able to say that all is looking great and it has gone to plan,” Rocca wrote.

“A heartfelt thank you to my oncologist, nurses and all the staff at Epworth hospital.

“They are truly remarkable, caring and show great teamwork dealing with people with challenging circumstances.

“I am feeling great and looking forward (to) 2025.

“Thank you to everyone who has called and texted, your love and support is greatly appreciated.”

Rocca received an outpouring of support with current and former Collingwood stars Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox joined by his former Carlton rival Anthony Koutoufides in celebrating the news.

His wife Enza said she and their children Mia and Max are “so proud”.

“Chemo was tough, but you were tougher,” she wrote.

“You were the perfect patient, never complaining and took everything in your stride.

“We love you so much and we are also thankful and grateful to the oncologist, nurses and staff at Epworth. We f***en love you!”

Rocca and Enza recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

“I love you more and more every day. Thank you for all of your support and love,” he wrote.

Rocca, who retired in 2009 after a long AFL career that began with the Sydney Swans, decided to share his cancer diagnosis to encourage others not to put off seeing a doctor when symptoms arise.

The 2002 grand finalist had spent four weeks experienced sharp back pain at night before accepting it was time to see a doctor.

While the diagnosis was difficult to hear he said he had been told his cancer was “very treatable”.

“I’ll beat this,” Rocca said at the time.

“No one likes the dreaded ‘c’ word, it is even hard for me to say it now.

“No one likes to be told you have got that sort of illness. But I am the sort of person who deals with what is front of me.

“When I found out, I was like ‘how do we treat it, how do we deal with it, when can we get started on treatment and what’s the plan?’”

The pain that led to Rocca’s cancer diagnosis started just weeks after he was back in the spotlight as a boxer.

He fought North Melbourne great Corey McKernan at an event during AFL Gather Round in April.

Rocca won via knockout and earned praise when he held up McKernan after the final blow.

“We don’t want to hurt anyone,” he said.

“We’re not boxers, we get in here and we try our best.”

Rocca also appeared on Channel 7’s The Front Bar in May.