The Travis Varcoe Super Thread

[Catman]

Re: Varcoe to Return

Very pleasing to hear - everything you just said. I am happy that they are sticking to a structure that has worked all year.

But now they are going to bring King in, which will ruin the structure good and proper.

 

[Catman]

Re: Byrnes vs Varcoe

Shannon Byrnes (2004-present) - 15 goals

Travis Varcoe (2007-) - 14 goals

I know it's very general but if you are comparing them as small forwards, which seems to be the case then this is the most compelling statistic available.

 

[MrGFC]

Re: Byrnes vs Varcoe

Shannon Byrnes (2004-present) - 15 goals

Travis Varcoe (2007-) - 14 goals

I know it's very general but if you are comparing them as small forwards, which seems to be the case then this is the most compelling statistic available.

I believe these are what are needed to win games

I have no doubt Byrnes is being tested for where he is at with the top22 atm, and firmly believe Travis will be back before the finals start.

He was overdue for a rest in the magoos, no doubt there, but his tackling will be vital when the crunch games come and Byrnes is well known for turning the pill over when he's under pressure, with poor disposal.

Before our good run of form, don't forget one of the guys that helped us get this far. Travis has laid some awesome tackles this year, and I don't recall him costing us a 50mtr penalty+goal, AND he also knows how to tackle properly by grabbing the elbow/torso and NOT the shoulders which Byrnes repeatedly does.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, that's fair enough, but I think you'll see Travis back sooner rather than later.

 

[Copernicus]

Re: Varcoe to Return

Thanks for the insight there ezbian. Wonder if Varcoe will come in this week for Byrnes? I don't suppose that would surprise me at all.

Selections are going to be interesting this week!

 

[Mr Sensitive]

Re: Varcoe to Return

I
He also mentioned that he was trying to convince the senior coaches to rest Selwood in the lead up to the finals but was having a hard time doing so.

Now that's interesting. I know Selwood is absolutely on fire at the moment, but frankly I think Tudor might be on to something there. With the finals looming, I wouldn't be surprised if Selwood does get a rest before September. We all know how the action jumps up a notch in finals and since we have top spot all but sown up, I think a week off would do Selwood's young body a world of good before the real stuff begins. It couldn't hurt to give Prismall a run out too.

 

[peter_ford]

Re: Varcoe to Return

Now that's interesting. I know Selwood is absolutely on fire at the moment, but frankly I think Tudor might be on to something there. With the finals looming, I wouldn't be surprised if Selwood does get a rest before September. We all know how the action jumps up a notch in finals and since we have top spot all but sowed up, I think a week off would do Selwood's young body a world of good before the real stuff begins. It couldn't hurt to give Prismall a run out too.

mmm, lets hope the trainers or whoever is responsible for managing the player's body looks after your future star

 

[The rabbi]

Re: Varcoe to Return

errr....what about Aaron Lord, Dermott Brereton ......?

He is good enough, if there is an opportunity get him in and start him in the middle. That would put the fear of god into an opposition coach because they already know how much depth we have in our midfield.

Frankly those willing Hunt out of the team are mad. We have been a better team since he came back. His solid body and ability to break and run the lines is very valuable. We wont win the flag without him in the team coz those sorts of bodies are needed.

Exactly why I think that Rooke's fitnes is vital to the Cats chances. The finals and especially the GF is played at a harder and faster pace than the home and away season. The whistle seems to get put away in the GF and touchy technical free kicks are not paid. Teams that are tough at the ball win premierships.

 

[Ashb23]

Re: Varcoe to Return

Couple of points...

I can't forsee Byrnes and Varcoe both being picked in the same team this season.

Hunt out for Varcoe? The balance in out team is very good at the moment and hasn't really been changed at all this season, I can't see that being thrown out by replacing a backmen with a forward??

Hunt wasn't on Farmer but still played off half back on the weekend, is that where Varcoe would have potentially lined up? I doubt it.

well technically they brought in a backman for a forward/midfielder last week, so all this would be doing is putting the balance back to what it was. It makes sense to rebalance the team. I don't think there is room for both Johnson and Hunt, so if Chappy's not ready, why isn't this possible?

 

[sarah.13]

Re: Varcoe to Return

well technically they brought in a backman for a forward/midfielder last week, so all this would be doing is putting the balance back to what it was. It makes sense to rebalance the team. I don't think there is room for both Johnson and Hunt, so if Chappy's not ready, why isn't this possible?

So,we were unbalanced last week? or the week before? Are we balanced this week with 3 Ruckman
or we balanced with 2 HBF that shouldn't be in the team? Err.. Whose unbalanced anyway?
Shit my heads spinning,I think I'm unbalanced!

 

[Tommy the Cat]

Re: Varcoe to Return

only a matter of time before Varcoe becomes a permanent member of our team

not sure if this is the time tho

 

[dustyy]

Re: Varcoe to Return

mmmmmmmmmmmmm very interesting.

 

[hoody]

Varcoe - A time for honesty.

The good news is that regardless of my opinion (or that of the reader) the GFC selectors will pick what they consider to be our best combination and I am more than happy to support their views, come what may.
However, I am fascinated with the "love of Varcoe" expressed on this site.
Travis Varcoe - why do we love him so?
Because we have never seen a forward playing in the blue and white hoops that can apply so much defensive pressure?
And he is like greased lightning. He chases opponents down with fantastic bursts of speed.
He tackles well (i.e. well, not great) for a player in his weight class and with his limited experience.
However, he probably hasn't yet developed sufficient strength or technique to make enough of his tackles stick.
He also displays considerable 'smarts' when in possession of the ball.
He is an extremely promising player who will hopefully play a big part in the future glory of the GFC.
But, and this is a big BUT, at this point in time he simply does not get enough of the ball at AFL level.
I would imagine that Trav would be getting a guernsey at quite a few other AFL clubs at the moment, but let's face it, we are not any other club and most of us think that we are a genuine premiership chance (sincere apologies to all the "Lid People"). You have generally got to possess something more than leg speed to line up in an AFL Grand Final.

He is probably similar to Hawkins as far as his immediate prospects go.
If we continue to have a good run in regard to injury, he may not play a major role in our finals campaign.
On the other hand, he may well find himself performing on the big stage and he is capable of providing more than shock value to any opposition lineup.
Either way, both players have had a decent taste of the big time this season and could or should prove to be real stars in the not too distant future.
I suspect that Sellwood was supposed to follow a similar path but he has shot that idea down in flames by consistently performing at a level well beyond his years.
Sellwood. Wow. By any definition, what a gun !
I really do hope I can say the same thing about Travis Varcoe one day.