Reece Conca’s season appeared in jeopardy when he suffered an ankle injury in Round 15, but Richmond rushed him back into its senior line-up for last night’s clash with Essendon, after just one VFL game, and it proved an inspired decision.

The hard-at-it midfielder resumed as though he’d never left and was one of his team’s busiest players, gathering 21 possessions, 18 of them by three-quarter-time, along with five clearances and five tackles.

Conca, 26, is due some good fortune given injuries have sidelined him for big chunks of his past four seasons and caused him to miss the chance to play in the Tigers’ premiership last year.

He was one of the reasons Richmond coped adequately against the Bombers without skipper Trent Cotchin, defender David Astbury and midfielders Dion Prestia and Kane Lambert.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praised Conca’s efforts in his post-match press conference.

“I thought he played well,” Hardwick said.

“He played a half to three quarters last week (in the VFL) . . . we needed him a little bit more this week.

“We would have liked to probably give him another game in the VFL, but we thought we’d take the opportunity to get some run into his legs.

“For him to step in and fulfil his role pretty well, I thought was a really positive sign for him.

“It’s good that he’s got some luck on his side.

"He’s such a popular member of our footy club and, hopefully, that luck continues and he gets the reward he deserves.”