GDFL news: Reece Conca has signed on with Bannockburn after 150-game AFL career with Richmond and Fremantle
Reece Conca will join Bannockburn ahead of the 2023 season and will play a pivotal role in keeping the contending side in its premiership window.
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REECE Conca says he hopes to help develop the next generation of Bannockburn footballers during his time at the club, with the former Richmond and Fremantle star the GDFL’s biggest recruit so far this off-season.
The Tigers announced on Thursday that Conca would be joining the club for 2023’s premiership defence, with football manager Zach Hickleton suggesting the gun footballer will slot into the midfield when he is available to play.
Conca said he hoped to play as much football as possible, but his on-field role would be limited by his work in the AFL.
“With my role as runner at the Melbourne Demons I’ll be limited to a handful of games depending on the schedule,” he said.
“I’d obviously love to get down and play as much as I can and then spend some quality time helping mentor the young players and really contribute in any way possible.
“My role at the Demons is primarily player welfare and personal development to really help players become the best versions of themselves, which is something I’m incredibly passionate about.
“I’m not overly involved with the coaching aspect but I’m always happy to help wherever needed.
“In terms of my involvement at Bannockburn I would love to help the coaching staff and leadership group in anyway I can.”
The 150-game player is Bannockburn’s first signing for the 2022 off-season, but Hickleton said it was unlikely the club would add a raft of players, instead focusing on retaining the playing group from the premiership campaign.
Conca said the chance to win a premiership with the Tigers was a factor in his decision making, but it was not his only reasoning.
“My fiance Annabelle’s family live in Bannockburn and her parents company Prendergast Grace Real Estate are sponsors of the club so that’s a big reason to join the club, the family aspect is a massive draw card for me,” he said.
“The recent premiership definitely adds to the appeal of coming to play for Bannockburn FNC and I would love to continue to help drive the club forward both on and off the field.
“Conversations with the club at this stage have been reasonably brief as it’s all come to fruition quite quickly but I was able to meet with Ron (Pilgrim) and many of the key people last week which was really great.
“I’ve never played footy in this environment so I’m really excited to be part of the local football community and just enjoy playing football amongst family and friends.
Former Richmond star to don Tiger stripes again
BANNOCKBURN football manager Zach Hickleton says he is ecstatic about finally getting former Richmond and Fremantle star Reece Conca on board after a two-year recruiting process.
The 150-game AFL player, who is still working at Melbourne Demons as a player development manager and runner, will don the yellow and black once again in 2023.
Hickleton said Conca approached the club in a bid to return to local football.
“He actually made contact with us, his partner Annabelle’s family lives in Bannockburn so we had that connection already,” he said.
“We actually spoke to him last year about playing the year just gone and it just wasn’t going to work with his new job at Melbourne and he gave us a miss.
“This year he made contact again, we chatted about the benefits of the club and what a great club it is and he was really keen to come play for a real country club that had family ties and gives his partner a chance to see her family.”
Bannockburn is coming off its second consecutive premiership in 2022, with the signing of Conca bolstering the Tigers’ chances of a three-peat.
Hickleton said Conca’s availability for Bannockburn hinges on Melbourne’s AFL fixture next season.
“He won’t play the whole season, he’ll be available for us when Melbourne play on Thursday or Friday nights, or Sunday games, he’s going to travel down, he’s keen to do as much training as he can and get into the swing of things, but we’ll work around him and his commitments,” he said.
“Whether we get four games out of him or 10 games, he’s going to bring a lot to the club in terms of development and standards, there’s going to be a lot of players that can learn from him because we’re still a pretty young group.
“He’s going to be fantastic for them, he’s going to fit in really well at the club, it’s really exciting to have someone of his ability and his character keen to come to the club.”
Conca is Bannockburn’s first signing of the off-season, with Hickleton confirming in October that the club would not be too busy in recruiting players to the side.
Hickleton said the former AFL player would add class to Bannockburn’s midfield group, while also helping develop the up-and-coming Tiger stars.
“He won’t have an official coaching role, but I think naturally he’s going to be a leader and have suggestions because of who he is,” he said.
“The knowledge he’ll have from his years in the system is going to be invaluable.
“We haven’t really spoken much about (his position), but I think a player of his calibre is likely going to run through the midfield.
“He’s only 30, still at the prime of his career, so he’ll probably run through there and have a real impact.”
Keep up to date with all player signings here.
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Originally published as GDFL news: Reece Conca has signed on with Bannockburn after 150-game AFL career with Richmond and Fremantle
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