Richmond player Reece Conca has suffered a horrifying ankle injury during his 100th game for the team at tonight’s clash against the Sydney Swans at Melbourne’s Etihad stadium.
The injury came during the first quarter of the game when Conca was caught in a tackle by Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and Tom McCartin. Conca appeared to come down awkwardly, his left ankle becoming trapped underneath Franklin which resulted in what looks to be a very serious ankle injury.
Conca could be heard screaming in pain as medical staff immediately attended to the 25-year-old. Play was halted for several moments while he was treated on field surrounded by his teammates and then stretchered off. Conca was given the ‘green whistle’ inhaler anaesthetic and despite his injuries, gave the thumbs up as he was carried off field.
Warning: Footage of the injury is graphic.
Graphic warning.
Our thoughts are with Reece Conca after this ankle injury.#AFLTigersSwans pic.twitter.com/uZtYQ2NqpK
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 28, 2018
Conca has suffered numerous injuries including hamstring trouble since being drafted with Pick No. 6 during the 2010 draft.
The defender’s team tweeted their best wishes to the young player writing “What he means to the club is evident to every player getting around him right now.” The Swans also tweeted their thoughts to Conca as “No one likes seeing an injury like that, we hope he is ok.”
All our thoughts with Reece Conca who is being carried off on the stretcher.
What he means to the club is evident in every player getting around him right now. #AFLTigersSwans #gotiges
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) June 28, 2018
Nasty ankle injury to the Tigers Reece Conca who is on the stretcher.
No one likes seeing an injury like that, we hope he is ok.#AFLTigersSwans #goswans
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) June 28, 2018
Swans star Gary Rohan also approached Conca to wish him well. Rohan missed more than an entire year’s play after suffering a broken leg in 2012.
Fans also took to their Twitters to wish Conca a speedy recovery and applaud both teams for the respect shown on field:
Horrible to see Conca in so much pain but, so good to see the support his tiger teammates showed going over to him while on the stretcher. Well done 🐯
— Luke Hodge (@LHodge15) June 28, 2018
Shows what Reece Conca means to the team 💛🖤 #AFLTigersSwans pic.twitter.com/Si1FoosieF
— Kath Loughnan (@KathLoughnan) June 28, 2018
And then the Conca fist pump to the Tiger Army…. bloody hell – sport. Nothing beats it.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) June 28, 2018
Wishing all the very best to the Richmond star.
