RICHMOND midfielder Reece Conca insists he's a fair player despite being reported for striking Giant Devon Smith from behind on Saturday.
Smith was leaving the ground after a scuffle with the Tiger, when Conca ran up behind him and struck the Giant in the back of the head with his elbow.
He was immediately reported and looks set to join teammate Tyrone Vickery on the sidelines, after the forward was suspended for four weeks for striking retiring West Coast veteran Dean Cox in round 18.
"Obviously it wasn't the smartest move," Conca admitted to Channel Nine on Sunday morning.
"But it's out of my control now, so I'll just let it be and see what happens.
"I'd like to think I'm a fair player but once you cross the line it gets a bit heated."
When asked if he would like to issue an apology to Smith, a reluctant Conca offered a less than heartfelt response.
"Sorry mate … there you go," he told the reporter.
Conca's teammate Troy Chaplin condemned the actions, telling Channel Nine's TAC Cup Future Stars the 21-year-old had a "brain fade".
"It is disappointing from Reece," Chaplin said.
"He is going to have to swallow his pride and cop whatever.
"We don't want to be seen as thugs and the last two weeks have been isolated incidents with Vickery and Reece.
"We want to play tough football but unfortunately it doesn't look good and we'll have to wait to see what happens."
Conca now faces a nervous wait ahead of the Match Review Panel's findings, which will be released on Monday.
The 21-year-old now faces a nervous wait ahead of the Match Review Panel's findings, which will be released on Monday.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick didn't see the incident during the match but said after the game he would be disappointed if Conca was suspended.
"We want our guys to play to the line, we don't want them to step over," Hardwick said.
"If he gets weeks, whatever it may be, we're really disappointed. We like our guys to play tough but we don't like them to go above and beyond."
