Conca set to debutrichmondfc.com.au
By Mark Macgugan
Wed 23 Mar, 2011RICHMOND draftee Reece Conca will make his AFL debut against Carlton on Thursday night.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick confirmed on Wednesday that Conca, recruits Bachar Houli and Shaun Grigg, and possibly two more first-year players would play their first games for the yellow and black in the season opener.
"We've still got to finalise selection, but it's a really positive step for our footy club that we've brought in three players that will definitely play, and possibly up to five," Hardwick said.
Hardwick said Conca, a midfielder drafted from WAFL club Perth at No.6 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, had done everything right since arriving at Punt Road.
"He's a very driven individual, Reece," Hardwick said.
"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.
"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."
The Richmond coach said the experience of Houli, who crossed from Essendon in the off-season, and Grigg, who moved from Carlton, would provide an important boost.
"With our young list we needed to bring in some players that can help take the burden off some of our younger midfielders, so they'll make a great addition to our midfield this year," Hardwick said.
With up to three untried players set to run onto the MCG on Thursday night, Hardwick stressed that while winning was important, the club was still taking a long-term view.
"Every side's looking to win every game, and we're no different," he said.
"(But) my job as the coach of Richmond, where we are at the moment, is to get as many games into the core group of players that I think can take us forward.
"So if that's putting five guys into the thrust of a round-one encounter that's going to have 80,000 people there, then that's what we'll do.
"It's about a long-term focus for our footy club. If those kids can play and they've got the ability to play, they'll play."
Hardwick would not be drawn on which other players were in line for debuts ahead of final team selection on Wednesday night.
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