Sam Docherty is a former Australian rules footballer and co-captain of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), retiring in 2025 after a 184-game career. In 2023 he was awarded the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award on Brownlow night. The award is presented to the player who embodies the values of the late Melbourne champion in their commitment to helping others, making a difference and representing the game on and off the field.

A beacon of hope for those battling illness, Docherty used his platform throughout his career to raise awareness and vital funds for cancer research, having twice recovered from testicular cancer. A member of the Board of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation, he continues to play an active role in his fundraising efforts, both within football and the wider community.

Board Committees 

• People, Culture, & Remuneration Committee
• Philanthropy Committee (Chair)
  
  

"On the back-end of my cancer treatment, I was looking to give back. With my personal connection, I wanted to dig my roots in deeper this time.”

“Why I do everything that I do now has changed significantly: I’ve got a family, but secondary to that is to give back to people that are going through a tough time.”