BROKEN ankle, three stress reactions, hip surgery, groin issues and a ripped hamstring tendon.

That’s the list of problems Reece Conca has had to deal with in his first four years as an AFL player.

Throw in the biggest problem of all — the behind-the-play hit on Giant Devon Smith — and you start to understand why things haven’t all gone according to plan for Richmond’s 2010 No.6 draft pick.

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But after the most tumultuous season of his young career, Conca has wiped the slate clean. Fit and motivated and ready to turn promise into performance, the midfielder is relishing the prospect of delivering in 2015.

media_camera Reece Conca is hoping to put his injury problems behind him in 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch

“Next year I’m hoping to make some big strides in my football with my first full pre-season,” Conca told the Herald Sun from the Tigers’ Townsville training camp.

“Last season is behind me now and I’m just looking forward to the next one and improving and hopefully getting some more wins for the team. There’s always room for improvement, especially for me, in all aspects of footy.”

Conca’s roller-coaster 2014 found its low point in the Round 19 meeting with GWS. Boiling with rage, he chased an unsuspecting Smith to the boundary where he thrust a forearm into the back of his head.

He copped a two-match suspension, but everyone from AFL boss Gillon McLachlan to boxing champion Danny Green slammed the incident.

Conca believes he has a pretty thick skin and avoids most of the footy media chatter, but he admitted the reaction took its toll.

“Initially it was pretty confronting,” Conca said. “It wasn’t my greatest moment, but I didn’t think about it too much afterwards and I just tried to move on and get back to training. I’ve copped my punishment and that’s behind me now.

“I’ll continue to play tough football, but obviously fair football. I’m certain an incident like that won’t happen again.”

media_camera Reece Conca was rubbed out for two weeks for this hit on Devon Smith. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Conca is also hoping the injury curse doesn’t strike again and he can finally prepare for an AFL season without the nasty setbacks.

“The (injury) list is growing, unfortunately, at such a young age, but hopefully it’s all behind me now,” he said.

“I was a little inconsistent last season and not having any training done before Christmas last year and having interrupted pre-seasons prior to that has hurt me a bit. It’s one of those things I’ve never really had the benefit of.

“But at this stage I’m running well and feeling fitter than ever, so I’ve just got to stay healthy, which is the focus now.”

Conca is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2016, and if words mean anything, his commitment will eventually stretch beyond that.

media_camera Reece Conca is yet to fulfil his potential as a No.6 draft pick. Picture: Michael Klein

Fremantle inquired about him during trade talks, but no move got off the ground. Conca, for his part, isn’t thinking about returning home to Perth.

“No, not at all to be honest. I’m loving Richmond and that’s why I committed to the three years because I don’t intend to go anywhere anytime soon,” he said.

“I love Perth, I love home and I’m sure at some stage I’ll get back there, but I’ve been gone a while now. Calling Perth home is a bit behind me. At this stage Melbourne is my home and Richmond is my home and I’m loving it.”

He said Richmond’s back-to-back elimination final losses — the most recent a 57-point humiliation at the hands of Port Adelaide — would be educational rather than mentally scarring.

“Last year will hold us in good stead, especially the back end of that season. People seem to forget the nine games we won prior to that final and you’re going to have your off days,” Conca said.

“Next season we’ve got to strive for finals again and make sure we’re better prepared for those big games. We’ve proven we can play good footy during the year and get to finals, but now we have to prove we’re better than that and ruffle a few feathers in September.”