Reece Conca Biography

Reece Conca will not be offered a new contract by Fremantle after falling just short of triggering an automatic extension to his contract.

"Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to not renew Reece's contract as we prioritise the development of our young defenders, but we cannot understate the importance of his guidance to this group since his arrival," Dockers general manager of football Peter Bell said.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir denies that Reece Conca has been overlooked in the second half of the season because of his contract trigger.

Conca this week stepped out of the Dockers' 14-day quarantine bubble for personal reasons, making him unavailable for AFL selection for the next two rounds.

It is understood the defender is two AFL games short of triggering a one-year contract extension, leaving him the final two rounds and any finals the Dockers play to meet that.

"I'm really offended by whoever is saying that. It's totally inaccurate," Longmuir said.

"Reece is really clear on what he needs to do to earn a spot in the team, and he hasn't been able to do that consistently enough to earn his spot back in the side. So that's where it sits."

Reece Conca appears unlikely to play the two games required to trigger a contract extension after opting out of the Dockers' COVID-19 quarantine bubble this week.

Conca will remain in the community and play for WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder for the next fortnight even though it will make him unavailable for senior selection in that period, given the strict 14-day rules imposed on the Dockers.

Nat Fyfe will continue as captain for the fourth straight season after the Dockers named an unchanged leadership group for 2020.

Fyfe will be supported by veteran David Mundy, star Michael Walters, key defenders Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling, and Reece Conca.

"I think it's a great decision by the playing group to stick with the exact leadership group in 2020," Fyfe said.

"It shows that what the guys delivered in terms of setting the standards and leading in the right direction was on track.

"I think the six guys that we've got in there with Michael Walters, David Mundy, Joel Hamling, Reece Conca, Alex Pearce and myself, there's good touch points across the whole group."

Nat Fyfe will lead the Dockers for a third season as skipper in 2019, while Joel Hamling joins off-season recruit Reece Conca as a new leader, with David Mundy, Michael Walters and Alex Pearce making up the rest of the group.

Veteran ruckman Aaron Sandilands has stepped aside after a 10-year stint.

Reece Conca has made an immediate impact at Fremantle after being voted into the leadership group by the Dockers' players.

"I've made a conscious effort to drive really strong standards, and bring what I learned across from Richmond and start implementing some stuff here," Conca said.

"Didn't really expect the leadership role, formally, but it's something I've strived for my whole career.

"I took a bit of a back seat at first (at Fremantle), just observed and took everything in and just slowly trying to do what I can.

"I just want to create positive change, but also just be my essential self and create a really nice environment to be around."

Fremantle has made the first signing of the 2018 Free Agency Period by luring Richmond's Reece Conca on a three-year deal.

"He’s already shown what he’s capable of at a top four club in Richmond and we’re very positive that he will become a long-term player at Fremantle and help drive our young midfield," Dockers CEO Steve Rosich said.

Fremantle are reported to be offering Reece Conca a multi-year proposal to become a starting midfielder as uncertainty continues over Lachie Neale's future in the west.

While Neale is contemplating a long-term deal from Brisbane despite being signed to the Dockers for 2019, Conca is out of contract at Punt Road come season's end.

As an unrestricted free agent, Conca is free to move to his club of choice.

Reece Conca has avoided surgery after being diagnosed with a dislocated ankle, rather than a fracture as initially feared.

"The outcome is as good as we could have hoped for," Tigers footy boss Neil Balme said.

"The plan is for Reece to wear a moonboot for two weeks, he will then be able to resume a conditioning program, and we expect him to be available later this season."

Reece Conca's 100th game ends in disaster, with the milestone man forced to leave the field on a stretcher after suffering a sickening ankle injury.

Conca's left leg was trapped underneath Swan Lance Franklin midway through the first quarter, with the Tigers midfielder in agony as he was treated by the club's medical team.

The game was stopped for several minutes as Conca received treatment, before the entire Richmond team swamped the medical cart prior to the player leaving the field.

"I thought it was a pretty touching moment, it probably sums up our footy club, to see all of the players get to him. They just all got a touch on him, which is important," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said after the match.

"He's a very popular member of our football club. We really do wish him a speedy recovery, because he's an important player for us."

Reece Conca needs foot surgery and will miss a further 10 weeks after scans showed there had been no improvement since he suffered the injury against Adelaide in round six.

Reece Conca's unlucky run with injury has continued, with the Tiger set to be sidelined for 3-6 weeks after injuring the Lisfranc joint in his foot in Richmond's loss to Adelaide.

"When we get really excited about his progress, unfortunately, something like this happens. We're really pleased with the season he's put out thus far and he'll work his way back into the side," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"I've got no doubt he's going to be a good player. He just hasn't had a good run for it and at some stage his luck's going to turn. We're hoping this will be the back of it."

Richmond and midfielder Reece Conca have mutually parted ways this week, reaching an agreement that he won't be at the club next season.

Reece Conca is likely to miss the first two months of the season after it was revealed his hamstring injury is worse than first thought.

"Reece has got a hamstring injury high up near the tendon, so it's a longer-term process and (he'll be out for) eight to 10 weeks unfortunately," Richmond physical performance manager Peter Burge said.

"It's on the side that he hasn't hurt before, so we start the rehab process and look forward to getting him back as soon as we can."

Richmond's round one preparations have been thrown into a tailspin after four key players suffered injuries in the Tigers' 48-point NAB Challenge loss to Port Adelaide.

The Tigers were left licking their wounds at Etihad Stadium as Shane Edwards, Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca and Jacob Townsend were all cut down.

Edwards suffered an apparent collarbone injury at the end of the first quarter and was sent for scans with his left arm in a sling.

Grigg then suffered a hand injury while Townsend left the ground on a stretcher after leading with his head to tackle Hamish Hartlett.

Conca suffered his fourth hamstring injury in the past 12 month.

Reece Conca is set to miss up to six weeks after injuring his hamstring while playing for the Tigers' VFL team against the Casey Scorpions.

Reece Conca has returned to training just nine days after minor knee surgery, ensuring the 22-year-old is on track for the Tigers' NAB Cup campaign.

Reece Conca has undergone minor knee surgery, interrupting what has been a strong pre-season for the young Tiger.

"The surgery was very minor, and we're expecting he'll be back in the main group shortly, and take part in the pre-season matches," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"Reece didn't miss a session prior to Christmas, so he has a solid fitness base behind him."

Damien Hardwick says he's "disappointed" with AFL boss Gillon McLachlan's comments on Tigers' midfielder Reece Conca, and wants an explanation.

On Friday morning, McLachlan admitted the AFL had erred in its handling of Reece Conca's "appalling" hit on Devon Smith last weekend, and should have referred the incident directly to the Tribunal.

"Reece knows and he's disappointed with his actions as are we. I don't think we need to have the CEO come out and speak about it. It's done and dusted, let's leave it in the past," Hardwick said.

"The Match Review Panel dealt with it so let's move on. I'll be sending him a please explain."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Reece Conca will learn from the "selfish" act that felled Greater Western Sydney's Devon Smith and cost the young Tiger two games.

Conca, 21, was suspended by the Match Review Panel for his uncharacteristic and undisciplined elbow to the back of Smith's head in the second quarter of Saturday's win over the Giants.

The two had engaged in a wrestle where Smith pulled Conca's jumper over his head.

Conca responded by chasing the unsuspecting Giant to the interchange gate and collecting him with his elbow.

"We like our players to play hard and tough but that was above and beyond," Hardwick said.

"Reece is a quality kid, he stepped outside the bounds, he knows that, we know that and we're really disappointed he decided to do that.

"It was really selfish on his behalf."

Reece Conca insists he's a fair player despite being reported for striking Giant Devon Smith from behind.

Smith was leaving the ground after a scuffle with the Tiger, when Conca ran up behind him and struck the Giant in the back of the head with his elbow.

"Obviously it wasn't the smartest move," Conca admitted.

"But it's out of my control now, so I'll just let it be and see what happens. I'd like to think I'm a fair player but once you cross the line it gets a bit heated."

Reece Conca says tearing his hamstring in Richmond's elimination final against Carlton was like being shot in the back of the leg.

"I just knew immediately. It was one of those things; it literally feels like you've been shot," Conca said.

"I just tried to get off the ground as quick as possible and a few trainers came on and helped me off."

Reece Conca is aiming to be fit for round one after undergoing hamstring and ankle surgery at the end of the Tigers' season.

"I'm probably on target. It's just more of a temperamental thing, the hamstring," Conca said.

"Some days it can be feeling really good and some days, not so good.

"It's probably going a little bit slower than I anticipated but it's still December so there's no real rush."

Reece Conca signs a new three-year deal with Richmond to stay at the club until the end of 2016.

"It was never in doubt that I would re-sign with Richmond. It was just a matter of sorting through the details with the Club and my manager," Conca said.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity the club has given me over the last three seasons and I'm excited about what the future holds."

Reece Conca is expected to take part in nearly a full pre-season, despite being scheduled for surgery to repair the hamstring tendon he injured against Carlton in the Tigers' elimination final.

Reece Conca will miss at least a month of football with a right foot injury.

"The good thing is we picked it up this early. It didn't develop into a crack or stress fracture," Richmond's elite performance manager Peter Burge.

Reece Conca says Richmond's new found depth in 2013 has contributed to his improved form.

"I think early on in my career, we weren't going so well, we didn't have that great of depth," Conca said.

"It was more the pressure of having to perform and try and help the team win games so early in my career.

"Especially this pre-season and the last two games, with the depth we've got, I think I've become a bit more relaxed and confident in my ability and I've put out a couple of performances."

Richmond midfielder Reece Conca will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his toe.

"It's a relatively short-term problem, but with three games go to it means he won't play again this season," Tigers elite performance manager Matt Hornsby said.

"He'll be ready for a full pre-season in season 2013."

Reece Conca accepts a three-match ban for an off the ball bump on North Melbourne's Leigh Adams during the NAB Cup.

Richmond has tied up Reece Conca, Dylan Grimes and Brad Helbig until the end of 2013.

"We're delighted to have re-signed this trio of young players, who we believe will develop into an integral part of our playing group," Tigers football manager Craig Cameron said.

"They possess the necessary qualities, both on and off the field, to play a key role in the team's rise over the next few years."

Richmond's Reece Conca is the round nine NAB rising star as inadvertantly leaked by Jack Riewoldt via twitter.

"Personally I just want to keep the consistent football I've got at the moment and keep developing. I've got to fix a few weaknesses like my kicking for goal," Conca said.

"Got my wish peeps, reece conca rising star r9!!!" Riewoldt tweeted before apologizing for the slip.

"Sorry bout the early hit up on Reece mate, didn't even know what the word #embargo meant until 2 hours ago!" Riewoldt later tweeted.

Reece Conca says the young Tigers are thriving on Damien Hardwick's belief mantra.

"Belief is one of our trademarks at the club - we really thrive on it," Conca said.

"Once we got the first couple of wins this year we've really grown from there. We're definitely going in the right direction."

Reece Conca makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 15 disposals (11 kicks and 4 handballs), 6 marks and a tackle in a 20-point loss to Carlton.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has confirmed the club's top draft pick, Reece Conca, will make his debut against Carlton.

"He's a great kid and he's a very, very good football player and one that we think will play a lot of football for us," Hardwick said.

"He's got elite speed, elite agility, beautiful kick of the footy, and more importantly he's really competitive. So he's a guy we look forward to an enormous future with."