Fremantle have delisted Reece Conca, despite the 29-year-old building an excellent reputation of shutting down the AFL’s best small forwards over the past 18 months.
The Dockers announced on Wednesday that Conca would not be offered a deal for next year.
The former Richmond defender hasn’t given up hope of joining a third club and building on his 150-game AFL career.
Conca played 104 games for the Tigers before moving to Fremantle at the end of 2018.
The midfielder-turned-defender flourished under Dockers coach Justin Longmuir last year, performing a key shutdown role on some of the league’s best small forwards.
He played the first eight games this year before being dropped from the 22, with his last appearance coming in round 13.
It’s understood Conca needed to play just two more games this year to trigger a contract extension for 2022.
Longmuir took offence when those rumours were put to him last month.
“It’s just a totally inaccurate assumption and rumour,” Longmuir said at the time.
“If that was the case – because of the trigger – we wouldn’t have played him as the sub against Essendon (in round nine).
“I’m really offended by whoever is saying that. It’s totally inaccurate.”
Fremantle’s general manager of football Peter Bell thanked Conca for his team-first attitude and leadership.
“The players made it clear how highly they valued his leadership and selfless attitude, voting him into the leadership group after completing just one pre-season ahead of his first season at Fremantle,” Bell said.
“Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to not renew Reece’s contract as we prioritise the development of our young defenders, but we cannot understate the importance of his guidance to this group since his arrival.”
Fremantle take on St Kilda in Hobart on Sunday in a match they must win to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Dockers also need two of the three teams directly above them on the ladder to lose in order to have a chance of sneaking into the top eight.
Tim
Guest
Concas :)
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Fits the Gold Coast remit. Actually comes from the GC draft year of David Swallow and Sam Day where they picked before and after him in the first round, so with the recent 4 retirements, he would be a free hit for the Suns. Wouldn't be the first player to come to the Suns after they missed out on drafting them. Just happy not to have to deal with Freo in trade talks.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
With...?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Conca? No, he's an upbeat chap who has been doing great stuff at Freo. With Young, Walker, Chapman and O'Driscoll all coming through in defence and Hughes and Watson in front of him, now was the time.
Reg Grundy
Guest
He's not a Richmond Premiership player
Slane
Guest
He actually missed out on winning a premiership at Richmond. Unlucky.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Naah. You guys broke his spirit.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Didn't play in a Richmond premiership side. Missed in 2017 due to injury but played in the 2018 finals series . . . and we know what happened then!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Bummer. He'll still probably be chased by his old club.
Micko
Roar Rookie
And Masten retired?! :shocked: :unhappy:
Micko
Roar Rookie
What's the restaurant called?
Tim
Guest
The pizza place isn't Conca's anymore. They sold it a while back .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He'll do very well replacing the retired Chris Masten at Perth FC. Probably their captain. His family's very successful (and very yummy) restaurant is around the corner from Lathlain in Vic Park.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
A real Ross Lyon type role player. Under Longmuir it's no surprise he has fallen out of favour. Did a number of very good shutdown jobs though over the last couple of years and it seems he was a bit of a leader too. I'd also be very surprised if he got another gig, maybe the Gold Coast?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Not sure this overly surprising. Considering where Freo's list build is. Player that worked very hard to get the best of him. Probably not the most naturally talented or exciting player, but played his role very well. Premiership player- can't ask more than that. Can't see someone picking him up