Travis Varcoe: midfielder?

[LifeSpan-Void]

Nice little pre-season puff-piece in the Hun about Varcoe found here. Ticks all the usual boxes - happy to get a game, driven by missing out on being in the premiership team, been flying during the preseason - also he mentions that he wants a run in the midfield. I'd like to see this if he can show he is committed to getting his own ball, and if he has put a bit more weight on to handle the grind and tackling. Based on his '07 I would have thought he was too skinny and didn't quite have the tank for the midfield.

 

[CF]

time will tell just how much he has improved

 

[Bra Boys]

The desire just isn't there yet for mine. If he had a business card he'd have "Half forward flanker" as his occupation...

 

[catempire]

Saw him in a pre-season VFL practice match in early 2007 and he looked every bit a midfielder.

Whether he can step it up to AFL is another matter. He has the raw talent though.

 

[The Casey Cat]

He's obviously got a fair way to go yet but it's good that he's aiming to be able to play midfield. Much more physically demanding in toughness and endurance. Like Ablett Jnr if this bloke decides he 'wants it' and is prepared to work his @$$ off he could become McLeod like. Geelong getting this bloke late in the first round was considered an absolute steal as he was tipped to go much higher until his badly injured leg.

 

[Cohzee]

I have liked the look of him from day one.

Lets just hope this is the truth and that he works his arse off to be a part of our senior team.

 

[Herbs]

I hate pre season puff pieces.

 

[The rabbi]

It should be easy for him to get a game in that midfield. He is only competing against the likes of Ablett, Bartel, Chapman, Corey, Davenport, Kelly, Prismall, Selwood and Tenace.

The kids a certainty.

 

[darren forssman]

I have liked the look of him from day one.

Lets just hope this is the truth and that he works his arse off to be a part of our senior team.

actually wasnt that impressed with what i saw in the vfl in 2006 but really liked what i saw in 2007 and thought he deserved a gig above byrnes for GF.

what about a wing? could be michael long esque with a bit more confidence!!!

 

[Tay29]

I'm not that confident about a midfield role just yet. Varcoe had trouble finding the ball in the forward line last year. Many people and commentators spoke that he seemed a little lost and was chasing the ball which I agree with. His trademark of aggressive tackling tapered off as the year went on as did the number of disposals. Another year will do him good, improve his fitness and add some muscle. Perhaps a midfield role in a year or two.

 

[scottydeewah]

I'm not that confident about a midfield role just yet. Varcoe had trouble finding the ball in the forward line last year. Many people and commentators spoke that he seemed a little lost and was chasing the ball which I agree with. His trademark of aggressive tackling tapered off as the year went on as did the number of disposals. Another year will do him good, improve his fitness and add some muscle. Perhaps a midfield role in a year or two.

agree

thought he deserved a gig above byrnes for GF.

but i would rather start this again, hang on whilst I pop and and open another thread.

 

[couchy555]

Yeah i agree, far to early to tell weather he can fill that role of a midfielder or not. His foot skills seem ok though, so he has that over byrnes.

Still better than Tambling though .......

lol

 

[darren forssman]

but i would rather start this again, hang on whilst I pop and and open another thread.

i prefer to pop open another beer...hang on whilst i do.

 

[scottydeewah]

i prefer to pop open another beer...hang on whilst i do.

you have inspired me. With 36 hours work seperated with 3 hours sleep, it should slide down well!

 

[Partridge]

I'm not that confident about a midfield role just yet. Varcoe had trouble finding the ball in the forward line last year. Many people and commentators spoke that he seemed a little lost and was chasing the ball which I agree with. His trademark of aggressive tackling tapered off as the year went on as did the number of disposals. Another year will do him good, improve his fitness and add some muscle. Perhaps a midfield role in a year or two.

Pretty much agree. If he builds his strength and endurance perhaps he can get a spot in the midfield, but it isn't going to be easy.

First challenge for Varcoe is getting a game, and that's no gimme for starters.

 

[melbourne150]

Maybe he could have a go in the midfield during the NAB cup? Varcoe vs Davey(if he plays) would be a nice match up on a wing......

 

[AM]

I was impressed with his defensive skills last year. But midfielders need to get the pill often and hit targets and he hasn't shown he can do that well enough yet. But you never know what 2008 will bring and it's pleasing to see he's set himself an objective.

 

[AFL MAN]

Not sure, thought he was unlucky to miss out on the premiership team. I like him as a forward just for how hard he chases and geelong dont need him as a midfielder

 

[Hairy Cat Mooney]

Maybe used in the midfield in spurts? Based on his fitness last year I couldn't see him playing a sustained game there but then again I would love to be proven wrong as he may have put a lot of effort into his preseason.

The other factor is that we already have so many guns in our midfield, there's not really a regular spot for him there bar injury at the moment.

 

[Reg Hickey]

What's the rush? Its not like we're short of quality midfielders.

I think he lacks the tank, the maturity and the confidence to go into the midfield at the moment, but in 2-3 years' time he could be a gun in there. Why not play him in the forward line again this year and probably next, then give him a few runs upfield when he's bigger and fitter, like we did with Gaz and Chappy?

 

[scottydeewah]

Why not play him in the forward line again this year and probably next, then give him a few runs upfield when he's bigger and fitter, like we did with Gaz and Chappy?

If we have the luxury of running him through the midfield this year (which we might), then I dont think we should wait. One of the great things about having a quality team is the progressing you can give your youngsters surrounding them by quality and take the pressure off. If we are up by 10 goals in the last quarter then it is time to give your blokes like Selwood, DJ and Vercoe time to run the midfield.

 

[Barabbas]

If we have the luxury of running him through the midfield this year (which we might), then I dont think we should wait. One of the great things about having a quality team is the progressing you can give your youngsters surrounding them by quality and take the pressure off. If we are up by 10 goals in the last quarter then it is time to give your blokes like Selwood, DJ and Vercoe time to run the midfield.

I agree, The more the merrier, it's one of our biggest strengths already - the deep midfield rotation.

If varcoe can get the fitness then why not. One of his biggest weaknesses was going cold, if he can go for a run in the midfield and get himself into the game, then that would be great. Or even, if he's playing on a an immobile backman, being able to go on long runs and exploit that would be a blessing. We all saw how much more damaging Steve Johnson was able to be last season by improving his fitness and doing that.

 

[jim boy]

His actual quote was "the aim is to get into the midfield for a little bit" which is hardly saying he wants to start every match there. Not a bad goal for the year, 2006 was rehabiltation, 2007 was getting a bit of senior game time - he played more than anyone expected-, 2008 should be about building his strength and trying to cement a senior spot. Cementing a senior spot, for a player of his sort, would normally entail some sort of on-the-ball action, even if its a midfield role within the forward part of the ground.

 

[Asty]

I'm not that confident about a midfield role just yet. Varcoe had trouble finding the ball in the forward line last year. Many people and commentators spoke that he seemed a little lost and was chasing the ball which I agree with. His trademark of aggressive tackling tapered off as the year went on as did the number of disposals. Another year will do him good, improve his fitness and add some muscle. Perhaps a midfield role in a year or two.

I think part of the problem is he grew up as a midfielder so feels a little lost in the forwardline as it isn't natural yet.
I think he will be a good outside midfielder/winger but needs to develop further

 

[couchy555]

I noticed with the richmond replay game on sat that he got bumped off the ball a few times, so i think some body strength would be an area to work on. It mite just take a few years for some natural growth to take care of that. At least he's getting some invaluable experience.