Playing with East Fremantle in the WAFL, Collica was hampered by hamstring problems early in his career[1] but had a good 1998 season when he was a half back flanker in their premiership winning team.
Hawthorn picked him up with the 20th selection of the 1998 AFL draft and he played every game in his debut season, often matching up against taller forwards.
[2] He found himself out of favour with new coach Peter Schwab in 2000 and at the end of the year was traded to West Coast along with Richard Taylor, in return for pick 21 in the draft, which Hawthorn used on Nick Ries.
Under coach Ken Judge, who had been in charge of Hawthorn when he started his league career, Collica proved a durable player at half back.
After being delisted following an injury plagued 2004 season, Collica continued his career at East Fremantle before retiring in 2006.