Reece Conca - so long and thanks for all the fish

[bullus_hit]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

Not at all. But Hepp is a long way ahead of Conca at the moment. 21 touches a week in year one. That's a midfield type number. By deep in the year he was spending more time on the wing to try and free him up as teams were already planning for him in the back half. He'll get extended time in the mids in 2012.

When he starts to rack up those numbers in the centre square and becomes a more accomplished player at clearances I will jump aboard but until that happens I'll reserve judgement. Playing on a wing and at half-back is a far cry from winning a lot of contested footy as an onballer. As for Conca's kicking, it's not elite but he hits targets more often than not - you can't ask for much more than that. If one looks at the leaderboard from this year's Brownlow it would appear that bullet-like passing isn't the be all end all.

 

[IrockZ]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

Not at all. But Hepp is a long way ahead of Conca at the moment. 21 touches a week in year one. That's a midfield type number. By deep in the year he was spending more time on the wing to try and free him up as teams were already planning for him in the back half. He'll get extended time in the mids in 2012.

But this is a slag at Conca, he a lot of things to like. Below his knees he is one touch, he can find a way in traffic and his a good link man. I thought his kicking was a little bit patchy. At times very good but not elite.

Yep this is pretty much how I see it. I think Conca has most of the tools and will be a solid 3rd or 4th mid. A Montagna type, you dont want him as your best mid but will get under the guard with some guns around him.

And I agree on the Heppell bagging in the thread, pretty ignorant imo.

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

And I agree on the Heppell bagging in the thread, pretty ignorant imo.

I can see that Heppell is fast becoming a protected species on this board, I can understand the disappointment that some had when we overlooked him but to suggest he's beyond criticism is being a little bit precious. Given many here are speculating that he will be a midfield ace based on one good year at half-back and wing is opinion and crystal ball gazing. He may make the transition or he may find himself playing a Gibbs or Deledio type role, to label such assertions as ignorance is like the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[GoodOne]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I like Heppell as a footballer but he has a long way to go in terms of becoming a dominant midfielder. From the games I witnessed last season, he appeared to lose composure in pack situations and as a result, rushed his kicks and often didn't pick the right options. If you have access to the first Rich v Ess game the difference between Conca and Heppell is stark when it comes to keeping a cool head in heavy traffic.

Sorry can't agree from what I've seen. In that first Rich-Ess game, Heppell had 29 possessions to Conca's 23, 15 contested possessions to 12, 5 turnovers to 7, i skill error to 2, 17 ball gets to 10, 3 tackles to 1. Was close to Heppell's best game of the season. No doubt Heppell is played more outside than inside this season. But to say he won't be able to play midfield, I just don't agree. He played alot of junior football as a midifelder. Again no knock on Conca but based on the first year, Heppell won hands down. 2nd year might prove to be different, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[GoodOne]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

He will be a better midfielder.

So no crystal-ball gazing here? We're all crystal ball gazing as it hasn't happened yet. I don't think Heppell is a protected species. Most comments here have been level-headed and have also remarked on weaknesses. He's not beyond criticism but he did win the Rising Star for a reason, and did extremely well for a 1st year player. Maybe he will, maybe he won't but he has all the attributes to become a successful midfielder backed up by some of his performances this year when thrown into the midfield. My bet at this stage is that he will make it as a midfielder, yours is he won't. All good, it's just a debate.

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

This is where the stats don't tell the full story, I distinctly remember that game and noted some 'Daffy' like blind kicking when he went into the middle. I'm not disputing he's a smooth moving HB and he's very good in one on one situations but I'm not sold on his ability to get the hardball at the stoppages. Even in the elimination final he struggled a fair bit when the heat was on and the traffic was fast and furious.

Not for a minute have I said Conca had a better first year, Heppell was a deserving recipient of the Rising Star award and quite obviously has a big future. As far as midfield is concerned, I'm not yet sold. When he bulks up and gains more experience he may well become the clearance machine that many are predicting. On the other hand 'releasing Heppell to the midfield' may not be the most desirable option for Golden Boy and his crew, playing as a rebounding defender is hardly a knock on him in any case.

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

So no crystal-ball gazing here?

Exactly, that's why comments levelling accusations of ignorance, poppycock and hyperbole simply reek of arrogance. As I've said many times, I think Heppell will end up being used like a Goddard, Deledio or Gibbs. I mentioned earlier that he reminds me of a young Joel Bowden and I stand by those comments. Why people are becoming so sensitive to such an outcome is beyond me.

 

[Leysy Days]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

Heppell's composure, vision & ability to exit tight situations are perfectly suited to the midfield ILO.

Rather than a Gibbs, Lids type Heppell closer resembles Scott Pendlebury in style for leysy.

 

[bowden4president]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I think a few must have missed the 'Reece "Squirrel" Conca' heading at the start of this thread.

That Essendon guy probably has his own on BomberBlitz

 

[chaz]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I hope people are taking in to consideration that Reece had a vary limited pre season due to ankle surgury, lets see what he can achieve this year if he has a full one. I personally would say that i'm more than content with his first year, to many precious petals out their that think they are the supreme judges of talent me thinks.

 

[Jason King]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

The only places i dont remember Conca playing were ruck and full forward, he got around in his first season and the compsure he had under pressure was outstanding.

Heppell does look great however, if he can put on some size he will be a real weapon inside and out. That being said, Conca has shown enough to get the tigers faithful some confidence.

 

[shad]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I reckon Gaff looks a much better prospect than both of them.

 

[skybeau]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I think what's been lost in all this is that had we taken Heppell, we'd be debating whether or not we could release him to the midfield, perhaps by sending Deledio back to the backline.

That'd be the football equivalent of dividing by zero...

(I promise that's the last time I'll say that)

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I reckon Gaff looks a much better prospect than both of them.

Agreed, but as you would expect because he was a higher pick

 

[shad]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

Agreed, but as you would expect because he was a higher pick

We are only talking a difference of 1-2 picks between the three players. But you are right, we had no chance to get him.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I hope people are taking in to consideration that Reece had a vary limited pre season due to ankle surgury, lets see what he can achieve this year if he has a full one.

Very good post. I wonder how Heppell would have gone under similar circumstances?
Too early to draw any genuine comparisions. Let's see where they are at in 3 seasons time.
I saw enough from an underdone Conca to be well happy at his progress to date.

 

[Phar Ace]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

Very good post. I wonder how Heppell would have gone under similar circumstances?
Too early to draw any genuine comparisions. Let's see where they are at in 3 seasons time.
I saw enough from an underdone Conca to be well happy at his progress to date.

The lack of pre-season showed up mostly at the end of season - one kept on playing, the other didn't. No question missing most of a pre-season first up has its effect, but you can only judge on deeds done. Footy potential is a worse currency than Greek currency, and just as fraught with downgrades.

I really like comparing 2nd year syndromes - it's the character season! Which is why I continue to like the Martins and Joel Selwoods of this world.

 

[IrockZ]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

Very good post. I wonder how Heppell would have gone under similar circumstances?
Too early to draw any genuine comparisions. Let's see where they are at in 3 seasons time.
I saw enough from an underdone Conca to be well happy at his progress to date.

Heppell played every single game this season, not many 1st year players can say that.

My only argument with the whole Conca v Heppell/Caddy thing is that our recruiters thought so much of him that they overlooked 2 homegrown boys which says they think he was better than even against them, I'm not so sure but I hope to be proven wrong.

 

[seven]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

I reckon Gaff looks a much better prospect than both of them.

West Coast aslo have a excellent development program.

 

[zippadeee]

Re: Reece "Squirrel" Conca

West Coast aslo have a excellent development program.

Not before last year.
Masten, ordinary
Koby Stevens, Pick under 30 in 09
Swift, has not come on at all
Ebert, had a good last year and then walks out
And they couldn't even do anything with Jarrod Oakley Nichols!