RICHMOND midfielder Reece Conca believes he and his club have "bigger fish to fry" after the Tigers stamped themselves as genuine premiership contenders with an 18-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night.
Playing his first senior game for the season after returning from a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Conca was a key part of a hard-earned and rewarding Tiger victory.
The 22-year-old thinks his side is building something special this season.
"When I first came in we were just starting and Dimma (coach Damien Hardwick) came through a year before," Conca told AFL.com.au.
"It's been a great journey but we've got some bigger fish to fry later in the year."
Tenacious Tigers snap Hawks' eight-game run
Conca, pick No.6 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, could not have timed his run back into the senior side any better.
But that's not to say he hasn't felt a significant level of frustration this season. The win over the Hawks was his first AFL appearance since the 2014 Elimination Final loss to Port Adelaide.
Knee and hamstring problems have dogged his 2015 campaign, but Conca has maintained a positive attitude throughout his lengthy recovery.
He was also limited by foot issues in his first few seasons at the Tigers.
In a way, keeping the faith has been forced upon him.
"(Injuries) have been the story of my career. I get a good little patch and then I'm struck by another injury," Conca said.
However he has used his time on the sidelines in a bid to become a better player and hopes he can cement himself as a first-choice midfielder in Richmond's side by the business end of the season.
"It's been a bit of a blessing in disguise," Conca said.
"I'm in the best physical shape I've ever been in. I've come in at the right time. I've got bigger fish to fry and I think I can play a big role in this team come finals."
Hardwick certainly sees the value Conca offers his side, emphasised by the zip and toughness the midfielder showed in collecting 16 disposals and five tackles against the Hawks.
"He can do things that are really clever and he is only going to get better," the coach said after Richmond's most important win of the year.
