Player Watch #30: Reece Conca

[TigerTime88]

Honestly I don't remember where i heard it, might have been an interview, on site video or could be something I heard from around the traps. It's just something that stuck in my head at the time as to why he is considered so important by the club.

Kind of like i've heard somewhere that when we are desperate for a clearance we chuck Shane Edwards in the middle as he is our best clearance player. But i couldn't tell you where i got that from.

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.

 

[RockJobster0312]

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.

Was mentioned as well by either Dimma or Ladey in a pre-season interview this year. It was reiterated by Malthouse in his Thursday night presser. When they (Carlton) were dominating clearances (especially from the center) in the first 1 and a half quarters, we chucked in Edwards. Finished with 7 clearances for the game I think (from Mick's mouth).

Severely underrated by most is Edwards, and has the instinct and hands (quickest hands since Simon Black for mine) to be a genuine star in the midfield. But don't think he has the tank or consistency in winning the ball to play through there and rotate through the forward line. Obviously its the other way.

But I still think that the Edwards role could be fitted to Conca - i.e. not necessarily a prolific ball winner/ x-factor player, but does the work defensively and in contested situations to play a vital cog in the team. We can't have a squad full of 22 out-and-out stars.

 

[Calcium Man]

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.

Yeah I knew someone posted it on here but have heard it from outside bigfooty too which kind of cemented it. Something similar with Conca and his defensive efforts, but for the life of me cannot remember where i heard it. Think it might have been an interview on SEN or something.

 

[Mr Magic]

I think Conca needs to develop into a specific role that suits his strengths to develop his game, improve his continuity and gain some confidence.

I would play him in a back pocket role with a specific task to be tight and defense and then rotate him in the middle giving someone like Miles relief in the rover stakes.

McIntosh is our best winger apart from Lids and then we have older Ellis who is a terrific runner as well as Grigg. McIntosh's aerial contests and run is just too hard to ignore and he has a wonderful kick on him to!

If I was Conca I would concentrate on his contested ball and inside game to prosper at AFL level with a emphasis on defense initially. I think his defense can improve body on body and a back pocket role should suit that development as well as his decision making which needs to be fine tuned as well IMO.

Vlastuin seems to have a hold on the half back spot as well although he will probably get rotated in the guts to at some point given his improvement

 

[TigerTime88]

Conca is a mid imo...not a bad backman but genuine midfield rotation. No point trying to make him into something else...he just needs to get fit and he is a quality rotation.

 

[TigerTime88]

Was mentioned as well by either Dimma or Ladey in a pre-season interview this year. It was reiterated by Malthouse in his Thursday night presser. When they (Carlton) were dominating clearances (especially from the center) in the first 1 and a half quarters, we chucked in Edwards. Finished with 7 clearances for the game I think (from Mick's mouth).

Severely underrated by most is Edwards, and has the instinct and hands (quickest hands since Simon Black for mine) to be a genuine star in the midfield. But don't think he has the tank or consistency in winning the ball to play through there and rotate through the forward line. Obviously its the other way.

But I still think that the Edwards role could be fitted to Conca - i.e. not necessarily a prolific ball winner/ x-factor player, but does the work defensively and in contested situations to play a vital cog in the team. We can't have a squad full of 22 out-and-out stars.

Funny you say he doesn't have the tank and his possie count seems that way. When he was 18 pretty sure he had a huge tank.

 

[dean33]

I voted no.
If he is now he wont be come seasons end.

Will struggle to get games once C.Ellis, Lennon and McDonough start getting games.

people must see more in mcdonough than i have, conca still above those mentioned.

 

[TigerTime88]

people must see more in mcdonough than i have, conca still above those mentioned.

Yeah McDonough looks talented but he is way way behind Conca.

 

[dean33]

while conca is serviceable still can't help thinking if we had of gone with the obvious choice of heppell rather than trying to outsmart everyone with the left field choice of conca... imagine heppell rotating through our midfield now..

 

[TheDyerLegacy]

while conca is serviceable still can't help thinking if we had of gone with the obvious choice of heppell rather than trying to outsmart everyone with the left field choice of conca... imagine heppell rotating through our midfield now..

If the choice was based on names Conca is a clear winner..

'I will Conca(conquer) you'

Heppel? Really? What a bitch name!

I will Heppel you? Dude would think you are making a move on him...

 

[Mr Magic]

while conca is serviceable still can't help thinking if we had of gone with the obvious choice of heppell rather than trying to outsmart everyone with the left field choice of conca... imagine heppell rotating through our midfield now..

I am not sure what traits were seen that had Conca above Heppel?

Anyway the past is the past.

I just want to focus on getting Conca prepared to play his best footy

 

[Cotcho]

I wait, wait....wait...where is this young star?? Esperando!!

 

[Dr Tigris]

At the end of 2013 Conca awesome - mid-high 20 possessions, goals, 1%s etc. Absolutely AA grade stuff. Then he tore his hamstring off the bone! He took 2014 to even start to get over that. Basically last year he was only 1/2 ready to play. This year, if he can get back to his best, we have a genuine quality tough inside outside mid. The problem is he is prone to injury, and so I worry that we have A grade talent in a dodgy body = never there. At his best he is as good as Heppel. It's just that he has only been fit and in form for a shrt period in his entire career.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

He loves a mid-week punt and a froffie too.

Then he is now my favourite player

 

[captain blood 17]

As I said above, according to Champion Data in 2013 he was the only midfielder at the club to rate above average for goals, score assists and score involvements. He has talent but if he doesn't get his body and fitness up to scratch then he won't be the player we want him to be.

Basically right now people are picturing Conca like they did McIntosh before he debut'd.

I'm not (on the McIntosh thing). I'm looking for the midfielder he needs to be. Year 5 in the system. Right now we have a 20% return on him then if we go by champion data then. Too many other players are going past him.

That's a bit harsh isn't it? Like if Dimma was trying to convince himself he's not doing a very good job of it. When did three prongs last play together?

Last year for the three prongs.

Took a gamble on needs and not best available, it happens

Needs you say, so we drafted an onballer and overlooked another onballer.

Captain - you need to get over Heppell. It's done. Nothing anyone can do can change it. You're working yourself up over spilt milk.

Conca was selected at 6 in a compromised draft. He has the skills to be a 200 game AFL player. He was also rated high in the Psych test. Very well regarded off field and by the players.

Life will get a lot easier for you captain if you let the draft order go and Heppell and just focus on the present.

Glad he nailed the psych test. How do you reckon Dusty went on that test? I agree on letting go, but, we ****ed the pick up. That much is very evident right now. Lucky for us we nailed it with Ellis and Miles.



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[captain blood 17]

At the end of 2013 Conca awesome - mid-high 20 possessions, goals, 1%s etc. Absolutely AA grade stuff. Then he tore his hamstring off the bone! He took 2014 to even start to get over that. Basically last year he was only 1/2 ready to play. This year, if he can get back to his best, we have a genuine quality tough inside outside mid. The problem is he is prone to injury, and so I worry that we have A grade talent in a dodgy body = never there. At his best he is as good as Heppel. It's just that he has only been fit and in form for a shrt period in his entire career.

Lol, AA stuff? Really? He was playing solid footy and doing his role for the team. That hammy injury was bloody unlucky. Let's not get carried away.


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[Mr Magic]

I wait, wait....wait...where is this young star?? Esperando!!

Some of that play was link play though.

Look hamstring off the bone is a fair excuse.


But IMO on balance he seemed fitter and more mobile a few years ago. Why? Maybe Conca has bulked up too much in his torso.

Don't know but apart from getting his legs stronger I am happy enough for Conca to get a little lighter in his torso because frankly his asset is his roving and he is tall enough so I would prefer the Conca a few years back to be honest.

Not saying he will not make it but maybe he has been a little misdirected in recent years. He looks to be carrying more around his midrift recently and I am not sure why? He seems less mobile than in previous years to honestly

 

[Juke]

I look forward to the day that we can discuss the individual merits of Conca without mentioning Heppell or what pick he was.

The fact is that Conca has not had continuity due to injuries for the past few seasons. He has shown previously that he is a valuable big bodied mid that works well defensively. Those judging him harshly now have short memories.

He's no star and he probably will never be, but he adds value and takes the pressure off our other midfielders, particularly in heavily contested games.

 

[Mr Magic]

I look forward to the day that we can discuss the individual merits of Conca without mentioning Heppell or what pick he was.

The fact is that Conca has not had continuity due to injuries for the past few seasons. He has shown previously that he is a valuable big bodied mid that works well defensively. Those judging him harshly now have short memories.

He's no star and he probably will never be, but he adds value and takes the pressure off our other midfielders, particularly in heavily contested games.

I think we need to get the facts right for Conca's own benefit and development.

Conca is not a big bodied mid. He is only 185cm or so and well under 90Kg. Thats okay, he needs to play a roving mobile rotation type role. But those talking of him as a big bodied mid are doing him a disservice IMO.

Since Tuck we are still looking for a big bodied mid in the guts. Not sure Dusty is the ruck rover type, more like a Centre, McIntosh may help but he looks terrific on the wing and plays like a really effective wing. Vlas can help out but the truth is we are still chasing a big bodied ruck rover over time.

Nevertheless I thing Conca can be very effective as a rover type as well as other positions like a back pocket

 

[RockJobster0312]

Funny you say he doesn't have the tank and his possie count seems that way. When he was 18 pretty sure he had a huge tank.

Without getting side tracked talking about Shane Edwards in a thread about Reece Conca, but I stand to be corrected. I can't say I know of his junior days. My observations are simply that and from an AFL level. He may have a bigger tank than he shows at AFL level.

 

[TigerTime88]

Without getting side tracked talking about Shane Edwards in a thread about Reece Conca, but I stand to be corrected. I can't say I know of his junior days. My observations are simply that and from an AFL level. He may have a bigger tank than he shows at AFL level.

I am not saying you're wrong, in fact I agree with you I don't think his big tank as a junior has converted. Just remember him having a really good beep as an under 18.

 

[RememberRoyce]

Yes. I seem to remember that the knock on Edwards when he was drafted was. ..great tank, but sometimes ran around ball chasing.
Not sure he compares with Conca in many aspects of his game.

 

[Cevap_Roll]

people must see more in mcdonough than i have, conca still above those mentioned.

Thats why I suggested more towards the end of the season.
I just feel that the 3 i mentioned will move past Conca sooner rather than later.

 

[Spluff]

Without getting side tracked talking about Shane Edwards in a thread about Reece Conca, but I stand to be corrected. I can't say I know of his junior days. My observations are simply that and from an AFL level. He may have a bigger tank than he shows at AFL level.

Edwards actually covers a lot of ground during the game, but he's just not a natural ball accumulator. It's similar to how Gordon can run all day but never really gets more than a dozen touches. Miles is the opposite - not blessed with a big natural tank (though he's worked hard on it) but he just knows where to get the pill.

Was mentioned as well by either Dimma or Ladey in a pre-season interview this year. It was reiterated by Malthouse in his Thursday night presser. When they (Carlton) were dominating clearances (especially from the center) in the first 1 and a half quarters, we chucked in Edwards. Finished with 7 clearances for the game I think (from Mick's mouth).

Comes up regularly. I'm pretty sure Mark Williams said on the review that we chuck him in the middle when we need to get on top.

 

[captain blood 17]

I look forward to the day that we can discuss the individual merits of Conca without mentioning Heppell or what pick he was.

The fact is that Conca has not had continuity due to injuries for the past few seasons. He has shown previously that he is a valuable big bodied mid that works well defensively. Those judging him harshly now have short memories.

He's no star and he probably will never be, but he adds value and takes the pressure off our other midfielders, particularly in heavily contested games.

We don't have to talk about Heppell anymore, because we have enough blokes on our list overtaking him


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