Meets the last returns with great respect (6)
I believe the answer is:
esteem
'great respect' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'meets the last returns' is the wordplay.
'the last' becomes 'e' (I've seen this in other clues).
'returns' says the letters should be written backwards.
'meets'+'e'='meetse'
'meetse' reversed gives 'ESTEEM'.
'with' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for esteem that I've seen before include "Set a high value on" , "Admire - honour" , "judge" , "Honour - regard" , "Venerate" .)