Another major positive to come out of Richmond’s 48-point win against Collingwood, in last Saturday’s pre-season challenge match at Wangaratta, was the impressive comeback performance of talented, young midfielder Reece Conca.

The 21-year-old was playing his first game since suffering a severe hamstring injury in the opening minutes of last year’s elimination final against Carlton at the MCG.

Although Conca was eased back into the fray, with only a half of football, he still managed to exert a significant influence on the contest, gathering 16 possessions, including five clearances, and looking sharp through the midfield.

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“Reece is a guy we’ve obviously missed, and it was good to see him come straight in and have an impact,” Hardwick said.

“He’s just a very smart player, and a guy we’re looking forward to stepping up this year and establishing himself as one of the AFL’s best, because he can play.”

Conca, who was taken by Richmond at pick six overall in the 2010 AFL National Draft, made his senior debut in 2011 and has played 52 games all-up in three seasons of league football.