Memo to GFC: Dont drop Varcoe! [Archive]

kriso182

18 Jul 2007, 11:47

cat in sydney

18 Jul 2007, 12:13

Agreed.
I would hope he starts picking up a few more possies though.
But his defensive pressure is a big reason behind our success this year.

Sean Sheep

18 Jul 2007, 12:21

Interesting to see that teams are really making more of an effort now to block his path to the ball carrier. It shows he has earnt some deserved respect. Still worth keeping in the side despite a couple of quiet games.

Prismall32

18 Jul 2007, 12:24

Catsace

18 Jul 2007, 12:48

Dogs have really hurt us over the years with their 'each Way' style of footy, hard within the contest as West and Cross feed it out, but with their plethora of outside players like McMahon, Gilbee, Griffen, etc running it into their forward line, they are hard to stop. Brad Johnson also seems to kill us, we never seem to be able to tag him or mind him, possibly because of the speed of supply. No Cross and Griffen helps a lot, we should kill in the ruck with a match-fit Ottens (unlike Rd 1) and therefore our on-ballers should get first use of it. Varcoe must play, his pressure in the backline at worst makes hasty decision making for the opposing defence, he is a valuable part of our side.

I hope Geelong can really set themselves for this, we owe the Dogs big time for their performances against us stemming from a series of come-from-behind wins at Skilled in the late 90's early 00's. PLus there was Ryan Griffen's declaration in 2005 that gaz Jr 'didn't show him any respect'. Well, respect the fact that the possible 2007 Brownlow winner will kick your side a new one this weekend!!

sarbbo

18 Jul 2007, 12:50

I wouldn't think he's likely to be dropped - they'll make as few changes as possible I'd imagine. He doesn't go directly into a contest as you know - he's too light but is quick enough to be there when the ball comes out. Who might they put in instead of him?

He hasn't been treated well so far IMHO. Been dropped when he's performed quite well. Fast becoming a favourite.:thumbsu:

Dont you hate pants?

18 Jul 2007, 13:02

Yeah agree with all that posted above. The last 3 or 4 games against these guys they have run us ragged out of their defence and made everyone look like they were standing still as they flew past us for good delivery into their forward line. We are going to need someone like trav who has the capabilty to chase them down and put pressure on the ball carrier and give our defenders the best chance possible. For me, its either Nathan (if fit) or Tommy Hawkins for this gamem not both at this stage of their careers.

thejester

18 Jul 2007, 13:19

Memo to the GFC selection committee

Do not drop Varcoe! The Bulldogs have killed us on the rebound in previous games because of our there pace and our lack of defensive pressure from our forwards. Varcoe will help to make sure this doesn't happen this time.

-Kris
Except that he hasn't been doing what he's supposed to. The issue with Varcoe is not his lack of possessions - he wasn't getting a lot of it to begin with - it's his defensive pressure. In th Port game he had 5 tackles, in the Sydney game he had 5. Against Essendon he had 3 and against the Pies 2; and against Collingwood in particular defensive pressure was fairly lax. The question facing the selection panel is whether or not to gamble on Varcoe cominod and shutting down the Dogs, or on putting in the 3rd tall and stretching their defence to breaking point.

geelong_boy

18 Jul 2007, 14:16

Except that he hasn't been doing what he's supposed to. The issue with Varcoe is not his lack of possessions - he wasn't getting a lot of it to begin with - it's his defensive pressure. In th Port game he had 5 tackles, in the Sydney game he had 5. Against Essendon he had 3 and against the Pies 2; and against Collingwood in particular defensive pressure was fairly lax. The question facing the selection panel is whether or not to gamble on Varcoe cominod and shutting down the Dogs, or on putting in the 3rd tall and stretching their defence to breaking point.

Don't forget he was ill in the lead up to the Collingwood game.

And on the selection dilemma, can't we have both options?

CatmanForever

18 Jul 2007, 14:29

kriso182

18 Jul 2007, 14:39

I disagree with most of what has been posted here. Prior to the last 2 weeks he was getting 4-5 tackes per game which was where his value was. But the last 2 games has had only 1 tackle per game and very few disposals. I agree he is going to be a great player for us but I just think he isn't doing enough at present to be selected. I think he needs to go back to the magoos and find his mojo again.

If what you suggest happens and Varcoe plays VFL, its more than likely Nathan would be his replacement. They would smash us on the rebound. Nathan Ablett, Hawkins, Mooney and S.Johnson are not the best when is comes to chasing opponents and defensive pressure.

sarah.13

18 Jul 2007, 14:40

I disagree with most of what has been posted here. Prior to the last 2 weeks he was getting 4-5 tackes per game which was where his value was. But the last 2 games has had only 1 tackle per game and very few disposals. I agree he is going to be a great player for us but I just think he isn't doing enough at present to be selected. I think he needs to go back to the magoos and find his mojo again.

Tend to agree Catman, seems to have lost his zip. When Thompson was talking of resting the younger players during the year he might have had this situation in mind.
Has played 13 games straight,uses a lot of energy during games and has had a bout of the flu.
The argument that we need him for this game doesn't wash,as we need him for every game but needs a freshen up and regain some spark.

darren forssman

18 Jul 2007, 14:58

he has never been a high possession accumulator, he is there for other things.

he did not have much game time and still may have had flu effects, no reason to drop him.

if anyone should come under scrutiny it would be one james kelly, his disposal is still poor.

CatmanForever

18 Jul 2007, 14:59

If what you suggest happens and Varcoe plays VFL, its more than likely Nathan would be his replacement. They would smash us on the rebound. Nathan Ablett, Hawkins, Mooney and S.Johnson are not the best when is comes to chasing opponents and defensive pressure.

well Collingwood smashed us on the rebound last week especially after half time it was just we caused the spill across HB and started our forward attack again. I didn't see Travis chasing too many of those down

Oscarlett

18 Jul 2007, 18:00

I disagree with most of what has been posted here. Prior to the last 2 weeks he was getting 4-5 tackes per game which was where his value was. But the last 2 games has had only 1 tackle per game and very few disposals. I agree he is going to be a great player for us but I just think he isn't doing enough at present to be selected. I think he needs to go back to the magoos and find his mojo again.

Players like Varcoe don't find their mojo in the seconds, it sits and waits for them in the ones, where he sooner rather than later finds it in the form of a surging tackle, porn little handball (see v Coll), or unlikely goal.

Don't want to see the Cats without hin.

crosby123

18 Jul 2007, 21:42

Players like Varcoe don't find their mojo in the seconds, it sits and waits for them in the ones, where he sooner rather than later finds it in the form of a surging tackle, porn little handball (see v Coll), or unlikely goal.

Don't want to see the Cats without hin.
I swear his hands didn't even move! Equal best handball ever, with the massive Selwood one to Ling that set up Woja for the kick inside fifty.

CatmanForever

18 Jul 2007, 22:04

I swear his hands didn't even move! Equal best handball ever, with the massive Selwood one to Ling that set up Woja for the kick inside fifty.

and that was probably the only handball stat he got for the match

Tonycam*

18 Jul 2007, 22:08

Some stage down the line I dont think it would hurt to give Varcoe a weeks rest or even a week in the 2's just to freshen him up before the riggers of the finals. But he is a important part of our side now and I think he can bounce back from an ordinary game if handled the right way

The rabbi

18 Jul 2007, 23:22

I could name players who have performed worse for longer periods of time than Varcoe before they were dropped. To my mind dropping Travis now would be a premature ejection.

cellis84

19 Jul 2007, 15:49

this is good, i think most people seem 2 have the same thoughts about young travis. i believe his best attribute is his defensive pressure, something we have bn lacking since the days of the great barry stoneham! i couldnt care if he doesnt get a single touch, as long as he applies a tonne of pressure in our fwd line, im sold!

and has every1 4gotten little stokesy? the blokes a little gun, he is only 2 foot nothing and about 2 kgs, but the skills and pace on the fella r amazing. all my mates last yr telling me he was 2 small and i said, just wait. i think he is improving and he and trav r a big reason 4 our success so far this yr.

Team Extreme

19 Jul 2007, 18:39

So what do they go and do, drop him for Byrnes!!

My5t3r10u5

19 Jul 2007, 23:48

Agree that defensive pressure is important but this only applies when the opposition has the ball. When your team has the ball you need to give something to your team and I think most would agree that Travis has been down on this in the last few weeks. I don't agree that you can retain a player purely on defensive pressure. I hope they give him a run on the ball in the twos and get him more involved in the game.

scottydeewah

20 Jul 2007, 08:30

I disagree with most of what has been posted here. Prior to the last 2 weeks he was getting 4-5 tackes per game which was where his value was. But the last 2 games has had only 1 tackle per game and very few disposals. I agree he is going to be a great player for us but I just think he isn't doing enough at present to be selected. I think he needs to go back to the magoos and find his mojo again.

Exactly. He has been very poor in the last couple of weeks. Hasnt created much at all with pressure in the forward line.

Hunt and Vercoe out
NAB and Byrnes in.

worthogs

20 Jul 2007, 10:56

Dont think the memo got through.

Not a bad thing, kid needs more playing time in the 2ws to freshen up a bit, has dropped off a bit recently, not sure on Burns though.(guess you have to give Burns a run to show off his pace prior to trade season, just dont let him kick it).

Can easily the #5 back in the team before the end of the season, when the grounds are a bit firmer