Fremantle recruit Reece Conca’s experiences during Richmond’s surge to the 2017 premiership are already having a profound impact on the Dockers, according to ruckman Sean Darcy.

Conca joined the Dockers as a free agent after 104 games for Richmond. The 26-year-old didn’t play in the Tigers’ flag-winning 22 but has made it clear to Fremantle that a tight bond between the players was one of the most crucial elements of that success. “You usually play your best footy with your best mates,” Darcy said.

“As you’re growing up, you really play footy because of your mates. If we get really close as a group and a collective, we’ll start playing it on the field. That’s the motto we’re looking for this year.

“It’s a little bit of an emphasis with Reece coming over. That’s what Richmond was big on.

“Reece has said they had three of four bonding getaways during the year. He’s been really good.

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“He’s brought a lot of knowledge from Richmond.”

Fremantle flew to the Gold Coast on Sunday for a pre-season camp and Darcy said spending the week together would help to develop friendships among the new squad.

The Dockers have had a significant turnover of players in recent seasons. They recruited Conca, Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb and Travis Colyer from other clubs after last season to go with the new group of draftees.

Only seven members of the 2015 preliminary final team remain on the list. Lachie Neale, Michael Johnson, Danyle Pearce, Lee Spurr joined the list of departures at the end of last season.

Fremantle will train at the Southport Sharks Football Club and Bond University during their camp. Darcy said it was an important time for the new group.

“We’re quite young and we’ve had 32 new players over the last three years,” Darcy said.

“We’ve been training together for four weeks so I know them a fair bit but I wouldn’t say I’m best mates with them. Griffin Logue lives with Rory Lobb so I spend a fair bit of time over there.

“We’re all together, we’re getting dinners together, lunches together. It’s huge for chemistry and things like that.”