Player Watch #30: Reece Conca

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The concerns re Conca pre draft , from various people within talent identification including RFC and other AFL clubs that I spoke to prior or since , was that he had no elite physical attributes and had a escalated issue which many young talented players have . That being , that he was drawn to the football at all times and generally over committed to 50/50 contests which were evenly matched . It permitted him to have a great highlights package , like many others who have the same trait. The decision for him to be taken by RFC with pick 6 , was predominately from the wish of Dimma who was extremely impressed by his confidence within the interview process .
Many people including within RFC did not rate Conca anything higher than a late second round pick .
Since joining the club he has annoyed some players with a luthargic attitude in training and inability to alter his 'see ball get ball ' ways . I do not think it is coincidental that he fell out of favour somewhat, after the review mid last season and greater emphasis was placed upon training ethic .
I don't think he is committed enough to get himself fit enough to play AFL in Melbourne and I also don't think he is committed enough to make the necessary adjustments to his game to play the way the club wants .
I don't think he is best 22 and I think I t would be best for him and the club that he returns to WA at seasons end .
 
"The Roar Is Back" said:
The concerns re Conca pre draft , from various people within talent identification including RFC and other AFL clubs that I spoke to prior or since , was that he had no elite physical attributes and had a escalated issue which many young talented players have . That being , that he was drawn to the football at all times and generally over committed to 50/50 contests which were evenly matched . It permitted him to have a great highlights package , like many others who have the same trait. The decision for him to be taken by RFC with pick 6 , was predominately from the wish of Dimma who was extremely impressed by his confidence within the interview process .
Many people including within RFC did not rate Conca anything higher than a late second round pick .
Since joining the club he has annoyed some players with a luthargic attitude in training and inability to alter his 'see ball get ball ' ways . I do not think it is coincidental that he fell out of favour somewhat, after the review mid last season and greater emphasis was placed upon training ethic .
I don't think he is committed enough to get himself fit enough to play AFL in Melbourne and I also don't think he is committed enough to make the necessary adjustments to his game to play the way the club wants .
I don't think he is best 22 and I think I t would be best for him and the club that he returns to WA at seasons end .
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Yep, and i have heard something else about him as well. Wouldn't upset me to see him back West either.


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"The Roar Is Back" said:
The concerns re Conca pre draft , from various people within talent identification including RFC and other AFL clubs that I spoke to prior or since , was that he had no elite physical attributes and had a escalated issue which many young talented players have . That being , that he was drawn to the football at all times and generally over committed to 50/50 contests which were evenly matched . It permitted him to have a great highlights package , like many others who have the same trait. The decision for him to be taken by RFC with pick 6 , was predominately from the wish of Dimma who was extremely impressed by his confidence within the interview process .
Many people including within RFC did not rate Conca anything higher than a late second round pick .
Since joining the club he has annoyed some players with a luthargic attitude in training and inability to alter his 'see ball get ball ' ways . I do not think it is coincidental that he fell out of favour somewhat, after the review mid last season and greater emphasis was placed upon training ethic .
I don't think he is committed enough to get himself fit enough to play AFL in Melbourne and I also don't think he is committed enough to make the necessary adjustments to his game to play the way the club wants .
I don't think he is best 22 and I think I t would be best for him and the club that he returns to WA at seasons end .
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Very insightful, thanks.
 
TheDyerLegacy said:
Very insightful, thanks.
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If, and I stress only if, this is the case, it points to a possible tendency for Dimma to place more value on his gut feelings than information obtained from more objective processes. Sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't. This is not a criticism of Dimma. He's ringmaster of this show and it's his job to exercise judgement in matters like this. However, he does open himself up to reasonable criticism if he stays attached to his original decision when later data shows it to be flawed.
 
i dont like conca
he is best 22 though atm, when fit he would get a game over lambert and a few others
i personally feel he has to be played on the ball and chase it all day. he seems to get it enough when played there and looks to me like its his best posi.
 
"The Roar Is Back" said:
The concerns re Conca pre draft , from various people within talent identification including RFC and other AFL clubs that I spoke to prior or since , was that he had no elite physical attributes and had a escalated issue which many young talented players have . That being , that he was drawn to the football at all times and generally over committed to 50/50 contests which were evenly matched . It permitted him to have a great highlights package , like many others who have the same trait. The decision for him to be taken by RFC with pick 6 , was predominately from the wish of Dimma who was extremely impressed by his confidence within the interview process .
Many people including within RFC did not rate Conca anything higher than a late second round pick .
Since joining the club he has annoyed some players with a luthargic attitude in training and inability to alter his 'see ball get ball ' ways . I do not think it is coincidental that he fell out of favour somewhat, after the review mid last season and greater emphasis was placed upon training ethic .
I don't think he is committed enough to get himself fit enough to play AFL in Melbourne and I also don't think he is committed enough to make the necessary adjustments to his game to play the way the club wants .
I don't think he is best 22 and I think I t would be best for him and the club that he returns to WA at seasons end .
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If true this is one of the most depressing posts I have read on this site for quite a while. What I don't understand is wasn't there someone or a group of people strong enough to stand up to Hardwick? I mean it's not like he came to Richmond as a senior coach with premierships under his belt. He couldn't have had that level of authority surely? If people really honestly believed that he was only worth a second round pick (and this in fact reflected a broad concensus both inside and outside the club) where in Gods name were they? And please tell me things have changed. A likely late second rounder becomes a pick six in a national draft simply because the coach thought he interviewed well? I think I am going to be sick...
 
Tygrys said:
If true this is one of the most depressing posts I have read on this site for quite a while. What I don't understand is wasn't there someone or a group of people strong enough to stand up to Hardwick? I mean it's not like he came to Richmond as a senior coach with premierships under his belt. He couldn't have had that level of authority surely? If people really honestly believed that he was only worth a second round pick (and this in fact reflected a broad concensus both inside and outside the club) where in Gods name were they? And please tell me things have changed. A likely late second rounder becomes a pick six in a national draft simply because the coach thought he interviewed well? I think I am going to be sick...
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Which is why I think it's BS...
 
Tygrys said:
If true this is one of the most depressing posts I have read on this site for quite a while. What I don't understand is wasn't there someone or a group of people strong enough to stand up to Hardwick? I mean it's not like he came to Richmond as a senior coach with premierships under his belt. He couldn't have had that level of authority surely? If people really honestly believed that he was only worth a second round pick (and this in fact reflected a broad concensus both inside and outside the club) where in Gods name were they? And please tell me things have changed. A likely late second rounder becomes a pick six in a national draft simply because the coach thought he interviewed well? I think I am going to be sick...
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Yeah when I saw that post in the last hour pretty much a bombshell if true or even partly true.

Questions I have if their are any substance is why was not Conca traded off then to West Coast a little earlier when they were chasing him.

Some of us have been having a crack at FJ at least indirectly assuming he was high commander in the Conca pick mainly apart from others. Now it could be he was railroaded?

Can we take things at face value now?

Furthermore if Dimma studied accountancy not being objective flys in the face of such a discipline so if Dimma was so subjective is their a learning issue there with him?

Things do not add up!:(
 
Stylo said:
Which is why I think it's BS...
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I struggle to believe it to, based on queries I have in another post above if it was true.

For example at the time I thought people were looking at him as a late first rounder(possible early second round I guess) not late seconder rounder in my recollection, certainly from phantoms and I think second hand loose conversations

If Dimma was primarily so excited merely due to an interview, even though that was part of a process at the time, why was the club confident putting his name up at draft time. I would have thought a bit of reservation might be a bit more prudent if things were a little unsure behind the scene rather than be strong and bold

I think a highlights package got out the morning of the draft did it not, albeit accidentally, and the club seemed fully behind it the selection in terms of media spin in the aftermath. I know the club would play the corporate line anyway as all do, but if the decision was predominantly due to Dimma's opinion on a looser analysis critique why would the club be as bold as they were in their confidence behind the Conca selection which was a pretty brave move lets face it?

I will admit when it first came out the morning of the draft I thought it was a bit of a ruse to shake Heppell interest from higher picks and something to the effect Conca looks likely, which he did on a way, but just to show support, expecting us to nab Heppell but for whatever reason it was not to be but that is history.

The other thing was there was online BF rumours Conca smashed a psych test, FJ got excited etc... So various posters could be pushing whatever agenda. Who knows, I do not live in Victoria so I am away from any politics that might be going on.

But I will be the first to admit, apart from viewing what I see on field I know nothing, and am not sure what really happened and what goes on at training etc.. at RFC. So people could tell me anything really.

I guess thats why I spend a bit more time looking at articles on the RFC website about the players progress etc... in terms of sourcing primary sources.

Didn't Lids suggest somewhere Conca was shaping to tear it up in 2015 based on pre-season and what not?
 
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For clarity : I didn't say it was Dimma's decision alone , nor that it was solely upon the interview and I know that not to be the case .
I also didn't not say all players , because I do not know if that is the case.
I do not have agenda whilst I do and have expressed my concerns re FJ .
The final decision to take Conca was made approximately 6 days prior to the draft .
 
At the end of the day, every decision becomes a judgement call. And you can have all the hard objective data you were able to gather in front of you and still get it wrong for any number of reasons. As I said in an earlier post, it's Hardwick that lives or dies by his decisions as senior coach so the final decision on player listings and match strategy must be his. Reading TRIB's posts show we are only seeing part of a much bigger picture. And Conca may surprise us all and be a late developer like Rance. Right now he is recovering from injury with a view to forcing a place in a much stronger Richmond side. I hope he learns from the last couple of years, gives it his best shot and rewards Dimma for the faith place in him on draft day.
 
"The Roar Is Back" said:
The concerns re Conca pre draft , from various people within talent identification including RFC and other AFL clubs that I spoke to prior or since , was that he had no elite physical attributes and had a escalated issue which many young talented players have . That being , that he was drawn to the football at all times and generally over committed to 50/50 contests which were evenly matched . It permitted him to have a great highlights package , like many others who have the same trait. The decision for him to be taken by RFC with pick 6 , was predominately from the wish of Dimma who was extremely impressed by his confidence within the interview process .
Many people including within RFC did not rate Conca anything higher than a late second round pick .
Since joining the club he has annoyed some players with a luthargic attitude in training and inability to alter his 'see ball get ball ' ways . I do not think it is coincidental that he fell out of favour somewhat, after the review mid last season and greater emphasis was placed upon training ethic .
I don't think he is committed enough to get himself fit enough to play AFL in Melbourne and I also don't think he is committed enough to make the necessary adjustments to his game to play the way the club wants .
I don't think he is best 22 and I think I t would be best for him and the club that he returns to WA at seasons end .
Click to expand...

Interesting post. I'd heard he was tipped to go 15-20 by many, but a late second rounder? That's pick 35-45.
 
"The Roar Is Back" said:
For clarity : I didn't say it was Dimma's decision alone , nor that it was solely upon the interview and I know that not to be the case .
I also didn't not say all players , because I do not know if that is the case.
I do not have agenda whilst I do and have expressed my concerns re FJ .
The final decision to take Conca was made approximately 6 days prior to the draft .
Click to expand...


If what say is true, why was Conca not traded a few years back when it was suggested a WA club. I think West Coast was keen?

Furthermore, when the wrath was getting directed more in FJ's direction a few years back in BF circles with the discussion about the psych tests etc.. why was Dimma's level of involvement not brought up then?

The thing I also do not get is you talk about a lethargic attitude or demeanour on the truing track yet some seemed to thing Conca was going quite well on the training track in preseason or is that a timing thing?

I don't know, but to me he looks not as fit as he could be. So what you say could have substance as he tends to jog or loaf to roles on the field without a sense of real zest, lacking the pinch of energy,desire and enthusiasm which keeps a team buzzing and bubbling as a unit. He does not need to over exert but he appears on the lazy and/or overly analytical side in his application at times getting to contests and areas which actually flys in the face of this so-called gun ho approach to the footy pre-draft being suggested. To me as a common occurrence, he seems to lack vigour and aggression on the footy field. He seems to be an introverted type based on his facial expressions at times, might explain his philosophy degree, but I want him to concentrate on the football. In fact for me there is not enough see ball get ball frankly. He does not respect his opponents enough at times and needs to adjust for their presence in his decision making but frankly I would like to see more see ball get ball and see opponent with ball and tackle them honestly.

I actually think part of his problem is a perception thing. He seems to play footy like Federer, albeit without his extreme skill, whereas he needs to play more like Nadal. He needs to play more like Hewitt that got in the faces of opponents and understood, with his fathers background in footy presumably, the importance of pressure in football and the contest in terms of cause and effect. Conca's biggest problem to me is he plays while seemingly ignoring the pressure of nearby opponents and gets tackled as if he does not sense they are there. In reverse when they have the ball to me he does not apply enough physical pressure to create a real tackle or defensive act instead of a clayton's defensive effort which lets the smarter opponent have free reign. Decision wise this is his weakest area atm for me and why if he understood pressure in the contest like a Nadal he would be a far better player. This lack of awareness affects the timing of his disposal because he at times holds on to it too long not sensing the pressure coming his way and the urgency he needed with the technique to dispose the ball more effectively in the best way earlier given the pressure coming his way.

When I perceive this right or wrong about Conca regarding his opponents I start to wonder is there a insular problem. Possibly if he is an introvert and the philosophy degree wouldn't help if your looking within all the time.
Finally hearing this and that I have to query is Conca as dedicated as others? Possibly not, but seriously, if he is not focusing on his AFL development at the expense of a philosophy degree he really needs to pull the finger out. A philosophy degree does not get you far at all, and despite what was suggested about his on field application pre-draft in terms of approach, a little less over thinking and more doing would not go astray in his improvement! Assuming he has no hidden private wealth benefactor in his personal situation foreign to the general public, generally speaking his best chance to succeed in life is via his footy development, so if he is not giving 100% application to his footy success, why not?

I am just thinking, because Conca's progress has been hovering for quiet a while now and arguably going the other way I am expanding the options on how he could improve and develop in a more enhanced way. If, and it is a big if, if Conca was/is more of an introvert and his mind wandered a little it might explain a few things. If I was coach and Conca was an introvert, which is not necessarily a bad thing, I would manage him using a different approach given his philosophy degree etc...taking his mind away from footy things etc.. I would improve his concentration when at the club by getting him doing a lot of things like contested work in training where actions talk louder than words, I would direct him positively on how he needs to improve with on-field examples etc.. and I would put him in a back pocket type role where the urgency of the position if anything should raise his focus particularly towards his opponent and he can develop from the experience and guidance eventually getting him prepared to play a stronger role in the guts. I would organise as much interaction with him and the team and support as possible without burdening others, (e.g.. sharing it around) to strengthen his focus and foster a more communal sense in Conca if possible which should serve him better on field particularly in contested situations. I want him to play on field so when he sees the ball, he gets the ball knowing exactly where his opponents are and what they can do and he knows in advance what to do, in terms of beating them whether defensively from a tackle or offensively from various strategies knowing his own limitations and where his opponents are at, instinctively from experience and development in the moment.
 
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I don't rate him and wouldn't have him best 22 at the moment, but then again my best 22 is a lot different to what Dimma picks every week. I remember one game against Melbourne in 2012 - I think he had 30+ touches and kicked a couple (1 from outside 50) and I thought that was the day he would kick start his journey to stardom, but unfortunately it hasn't happened as of yet. I think the potential is there for Reece but I don't think he will fulfill it at Richmond. I would try and get as many games into him as possible this season and try to force a straight swap with the Eagles for Andrew Gaff, who in my opinion would flourish playing back home in Melbourne and at a team on the rise like Richmond.
 
Equus said:
Binge eating cold lasagne?
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Lol, well his brother looks like he enjoys the odd pie and dimmy. I know that much.


Sent from my iPad using righteous man power.
 
amcre said:
I posted about that. One of my clients has regular lunches with the Tiger coaches. Edwards is our go to when we are struggling to clear the ball.

Conca will be good if he gets on the park, blind Freddy can see any time he gets continunuity into his game he is one of our top 3-4 mids. The only reason I would get rid of him would be if it helped us net Tom Mitchell or Dylan Shiel type.
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Shiel - yes. I'm dreaming about something like this:

Deal 1:

OUT : CONCA and 3rd round pick (50)

IN : WC 2nd round pick (22) and a third round (42)

Deal 2:

OUT : 1st round pick (15) & (22 from WC)

IN: Dylan Shiel & GWS 3rd rounder (43)

Cotchin, Martin, Shiel, Deledio, Ellis, McIntosh, Ellis jnr, Hunt, Miles, Vlaustin is definitely a top 4 midfield.


Conca - I'm not convinced about. Might become a good player. A champion? - I highly doubt it.

I'll be really pissed off if Richmond don't go after a player like Shiel, it's what we need
 

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Player Watch #30: Reece Conca

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