Melbourne are looking to add former Richmond and Fremantle midfielder Reece Conca to its list of COVID-19 top-up players as this afternoon’s deadline looms.
Conca, still just 29, joined the Demons at the end of the 2021 season as their player development manager after calling time on his 11-year, 150-game career with the Tigers and Dockers.
As part of the AFL‘s COVID contingency plan, the league last week revealed that all clubs can nominate a list of up to 20 players that they can then call on as replacements in the event they fall below 28 available players due to COVID isolation requirements.
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Melbourne’s general manager of football performance Alan Richardson said including Conca would help cover the club if an outbreak was to occur during an interstate trip.
“Reece is our runner, he understands our method, he’s our player development manager, so that’s his main job, but … where it’s probably a chance, more likely to raise its head, is if you’re interstate,” he told ABC Radio on Sunday.
“If you didn’t have enough time to get them over from Melbourne for your top-up list, then you’re going to need to access players in Perth and that’ll be co-ordinated by the AFL and Brad Scott, but someone like Reece, who’s with us, is a chance to play in that unlikely circumstance.”
However, Richardson hopes the situation does not occur as it would present a unique selection dilemma.
“We hope we don’t get to the stage that we need to bring in a COVID top-up player because it means that we’ve only got 28 players to pick from, and even then you need to justify why you wouldn’t use one of those potentially younger 5-6 that aren’t in your starting 22,” he said.
“We’ve got some good potential in the Casey list but there’s a difference between potential and having someone that you think can come in and play a role and possibly help you win a game of footy.”
Backing in previous AFL experience, the Demons have already added former Bombers’ legend David Zaharakis, retired GWS defender Sam Reid and ex-Saint Jack Lonie to their VFL list, Casey.
In a similar situation to Melbourne, GWS ruck assistant coach Shane Mumford will also be added to their emergency stocks.
All clubs must submit their list of 20 names by 5pm today.
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