In praise of Reecerichmondfc.com.au
By Tony Greenberg
Fri 03 Dec, 2010As the CEO of WAFL club, Perth, Brian Leys would love to have young gun Reece Conca strutting his stuff in the team’s midfield next year.
Leys, however, is proud that Conca was taken so high (pick six overall) in the recent AFL National Draft. And, he’s even happier the 18-year-old will be carving out his league career at Richmond.
From 1988-94, Leys played 110 senior games with the Tigers, providing the Club with solid service in his role as a defender.
After leaving Punt Road, Leys enjoyed considerable success at SANFL club Port Adelaide, playing in four premierships.
He was appointed CEO at Perth just over a year ago, and in that time has got to know Reece Conca well . . .
“Reece is a fantastic kid,” Leys said.
“He’s got wonderful leadership qualities . . . he’s a natural leader. He slipped into our senior side, and in his second game he had 29 possessions against the top team Claremont.
“I spoke to Richard Taylor (Richmond recruiting officer) when he was over here throughout the year, and he asked me what sort of kid he is. I said, ‘if you want a kid who’s got perfect character, has had a great upbringing, and is a wonderful citizen, that’s Reece Conca’.
“He’s got a fantastic family, who have a restaurant just around the corner from Lathlain Oval (Perth’s home ground). So, any time Richmond supporters are in town, they have to come down to Perth, and they also have to eat at Conca’s Restaurant.”
So enamored was Leys with Conca, he even sang his praises to a couple of his old Tiger teammates, who are still very much involved at Punt Road these days.
“I had him booked in at Tigerland early . . . I spoke to ‘Flea’ (Dale Weightman) and ‘Benny’ (Brendon Gale) about him. I just said, ‘this kid can play’.
“And, I’d been joking with him for three or four months that was going to the Tigers, and giving him a bit of a history lesson about the Club.”
Leys has no doubts that Conca will totally embrace Richmond.
“Reece has embraced this place, firstly as a colts player, and then as a senior player,” he said.
“While he was waiting to get drafted, he was down here training a couple of nights a week with the boys. And, he didn’t strut around like he was about to get drafted, either.
“He’s been grateful to be involved with Perth Footy Club, and now he’s grateful to be involved with Richmond.
“He’s got a smile on his face due to the fact that he’s going to a club that’s been around for over a hundred years . . . It’s in the heart of Melbourne, and he gets to play virtually every second week during the season at the MCG. I don’t think people realise what it’s like to get drafted and have the MCG as your home ground.
“I’m sure he’ll repay Richmond’s faith in him and go on to be a top player for the Club, for many years.”
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/105891/default.aspx
