Born in Tasmania, Conlan played with the Manuka Football Club in the Australian Capital Territory before being recruited to the VFL by the Fitzroy Football Club. He debuted in 1977 and played mostly at half-forward or in a forward pocket wearing the number 12 guernsey.
Conlan, a Tasmanian footballer, started playing with the Manuka Football Club in the Australian Capital Territory before being selected by the Fitzroy Football Club to join the VFL. He entered the league in 1977 and mostly played at half-forward or forward pocket positions while wearing the number 12 jersey.