Former Brisbane skipper and Port Adelaide star Tom Rockliff has joined the coaching ranks of Iona College in Brisbane ahead of the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) season.
Rockliff played 208 games across a 13-year career at both the Lions and Power, captaining Brisbane for two years in 2015 and 2016, as well as earning an All-Australian blazer in 2014.
Rockliff retired in 2021 and has since had various media gigs throughout the football seasons after his departure from the game.
The 34-year-old joins revered former North Melbourne player Leigh Harding at the catholic school, with Harding already Iona College's head of high performance for sport, and will act as assistant coach for the school's First XVIII.
In a state predominantly tuned into rugby league, the success of the Brisbane Lions in 2024 could spike the growth of the game in Queensland.
Rockliff said he was drawn to Iona's top-notch facilities, revealing the potential for future Queensland-born AFL prospects to flourish.
โI drove past Iona just by chance one day, and I couldn't believe how impressive the facilities were here," Rockliff said.
"It reminded me of a college in America โ that is what it felt like when I drove past.
โSpeaking to Leigh about what he is doing in the school with AFL and where he wants to grow it to, it felt right to me and the timing was right to get involved.
โ(I want to) help students' careers to get on the right path, and start to get a few drafted and on an AFL list โ potentially playing for the Brisbane Lions.
"But if we can get more kids out there on the footy field and being active, that is the most important thing."
With hopes to turn the college into a place that begins the career pathway of future AFL athletes, Rockliff has visions of forming a "footy factory" at Iona, and growing the bayside region of Queensland into a footy-breathing territory.
โI am passionate about getting Queensland kids an opportunity, we have seen great growth over the past couple of years, last 10 years, in Queensland for AFL,โ Rockliff said.
โThis bayside area is really important in that as well. It is so family-populated, and there are so many boys who go to this school as well. I think it is a great opportunity to build another pathway.
โIf we can become a footy factory at Iona for draftees and recruits, and we have recruiters coming out here to keep an eye on the talent, that is the most important thing.โ
With most students returning to school nationwide this week, Iona's AIC competition is set for an immediate beginning, with their first match against Marist College on February 7.