Travis Varcoe

[darren forssman]

Byrnes out possessioned him constantly scoring more goals.

they play different roles and have totally different games but byrnes has been in the system since 2003.

hopefully by the time varcoe is 25 he is fulfilling his potential.

 

[TheMightyAchilles]

they play different roles and have totally different games but byrnes has been in the system since 2003.

hopefully by the time varcoe is 25 he is fulfilling his potential.

stokes will be running rings around him by seasons end

 

[RangaInTeal]

Travis smashed us in a GrandFinal or final to play in the GrandFinal, After suffering a severe knock in the first Travis was carried from the field, Leaving Smithfield a man down, he returned after half time, Smithfield trailing by 10 goals, Travis would have had 40 touches and kicked 8 goals, SMithfield beat us by 3 points! The kid had a heart, he has guts, He actually played better off of a Half back Flank rather than on the ball as he got older!

I think Maybe if Mackie can play tight enough when Milburn retires Half Back could become Varcoe's home. Even if Enright could become a back pocketer...

Enright, Scarlet, Hunt
Varcoe, Taylor, Mackie

 

[darren forssman]

stokes will be running rings around him by seasons end

varcoe or byrnes?

i think ranga is onto something, varcoe was played off half back in the nab game and looked the best he has.

 

[Cohzee]

That's a 10/4 if I've ever heard one. Gee the accolades this guy gets without having really done much is a joke.

Such as?

 

[Vdubs]

I wouldn't go that far. He played a good game, but it wasn't like he was BOG or anything. He had 18 possessions and 1 goal. There were plenty of players who did more - our defence kept the Dogs to their lowest score of the year.

Don't forget also his very good game in the preliminary final was also immediately followed by his very worst in the Grand Final.

I agree with how he's looked so far, much stronger, much fitter, but he still has to produce. He's not a superstar yet.

With all due respect, not saying he is a star , and may not be, but that prelim final, IIRC, he got most of his stats in the 2nd/2, when the rest of us seemed to be running on the spot. His run and creativity was influential. Not sure he didn't stuff himself or whatever, but as you say, the next week, he played lamely. I did hear he did an ankle either at training or during prelim. Anyway, I'm glad we've got him on our list

 

[meto]

Such as?

He's a star!!!! What a joke.

Find out his av game possessions in the 09', do the sums I dare you, then if you tell me he's a star I'd laugh in your face.
Lets just hope he has a big break out year THIS year.

 

[Cohzee]

He's a star!!!! What a joke.

Find out his av game possessions in the 09', do the sums I dare you, then if you tell me he's a star I'd laugh in your face.
Lets just hope he has a big break out year THIS year.

Erm, where has anyone said that?

General consensus that I have seen has been he has great potential, has done some good things, but needs to be more consistent.

You are sounding bitter, for some reason.

Please, oh please, don't laugh in my face.

 

[theCATSfromHELL]

I think Maybe if Mackie can play tight enough when Milburn retires Half Back could become Varcoe's home. Even if Enright could become a back pocketer...

Enright, Scarlet, Hunt
Varcoe, Taylor, Mackie

I likez the look of that... a lot.

Varcoe would be quite an asset if played off of the back flank. Brilliant user of the ball and silky smooth with pace to burn.

You could be onto something here.

 

[darren forssman]

Erm, where has anyone said that?

i dont think anyone has said that, we have only just mentioned the dirty word "potential".

meto is the type of guy that thinks we should persist with lonergan or that byrnes loads of possesions are the keys to success.

 

[David the Cat]

Well I am happy to say that Varcoe is a star...in the making. My support and regard for him is no secret.

People who think possessions equal value either have never played the game or are too simple to understand that there are other aspects to Australian Football that are highly prized and absolutely essential. Now who was it who ranked 1st in total goal assists for the GFC in their Premiership season 2009?? And third in goal assists per game in 2009? Did flogs who criticise his possession count think perhaps he was given another role in the scheme of things and thats why he spent most of his time forward of centre? With a midfield of Ablett, Bartel, Selwood, Ling and Corey, perhaps its not surprising that a developing 21 yo ( with a far from mature body mass) be given less time in midfield.?! KPI's are not necessarily possessions...there is a number of other objectives that various players are given depending on whats required.

Varcoe is a developing talent, and possession count may not have been what the coaching staff wanted from him at that time of his development. I think that Varcoe may be given far more opportunities in the midfield this year, and for longer periods. If that happens, as I suspect it might, then I have no doubt his possession count will increase markedly. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Joel Corey in a different role this year, which will provide Varcoe with the opportunity to spend extended time in the midfield......hence his increased conditioning and fitness level as already noted by astute observers this year.

I will hold fire for now on Varcoe, and revisit this issue half way through the season. But I will go on record and say the kid IS a star on the rise...and WILL be an elite mid-fielder sooner rather than later.

By the way...if your short of wine, just take a bottle of water round to Trav's place, ...he'll fix you up!

 

[meto]

i dont think anyone has said that, we have only just mentioned the dirty word "potential".

meto is the type of guy that thinks we should persist with lonergan or that byrnes loads of possesions are the keys to success.

As for Byrnes.
Hey! where were you on Grand final day? Out of the country or on Mars?
Don't you realize what he did to Rav Clarke cost StKilda the flag and won it for us?
And his gutsy delivery under extreme pressure got the ball out to Varcoe who then handballed to Chappy for the matchwinner. Have a closer look.
He's already delivered in last years GF, and you don't even know.
I find you amazingly blind.
As for Lonergan at 197cm, he's our only realistic tall option down back, guys like Gillies aren't ready for Koszinski or Barry Hall, and the rest.
So my advice is get behind him, apart from Harry 193 and Scarlo 192,
at a mobile 197cm and 100kg, he's a very much a required player.
Unless Johnson makes the devlopment transition to AFL level like Taylor did, which I doubt, we don't have a mature age tall replacement in defence.
And Dave the Cat, any chance you can do a 100+ km bike ride any Sat morning, we'll tag along with the Hell riders to keep the pace honest, so go have another beer.

 

[David the Cat]

And Dave the Cat, any chance you can do a 100+ km bike ride any Sat morning, we'll tag along with the Hell riders to keep the pace honest, so go have another beer.[/quote]

 

[Hood007]

As for Byrnes.
Hey! where were you on Grand final day? Out of the country or on Mars?
Don't you realize what he did to Rav Clarke cost StKilda the flag and won it for us?
And his gutsy delivery under extreme pressure got the ball out to Varcoe who then handballed to Chappy for the matchwinner. Have a closer look.
He's already delivered in last years GF, and you don't even know.
I find you amazingly blind.

We didn't win the flag because of Byrnes.
Granted, he had 4 or 5 quality possessions. He was good, solid, serviceable. But he wasn't the matchwinner nor in our top 6 players.
And the gutsy delivery under extreme pressure that got the ball out to Varcoe?
Yeah that was a fumble. Go watch the video again.
It was Varcoe's quick gather and quick handball to Chappy that was the key play there...

As for Lonergan at 197cm, he's our only realistic tall option down back, guys like Gillies aren't ready for Koszinski or Barry Hall, and the rest.
So my advice is get behind him, apart from Harry 193 and Scarlo 192,
at a mobile 197cm and 100kg, he's a very much a required player.

That's the thing, he's not mobile.
He's too slow to play on full forwards as he showed against Carlton last year.
And he's just not good enough to play on Riewoldt/Brown/Pavlich/Franklin.
While we have the chance to give guys like Gillies & Drum the chance to develop their game it's going to be at the expense of Lonergan...

I like both of those guys. They've served us well.
But they're not superstars, they're not in our top 15 and they probably never will be...

 

[kicksome]

As for Byrnes.
Hey! where were you on Grand final day? Out of the country or on Mars?
Don't you realize what he did to Rav Clarke cost StKilda the flag and won it for us?
And his gutsy delivery under extreme pressure got the ball out to Varcoe who then handballed to Chappy for the matchwinner. Have a closer look.
He's already delivered in last years GF, and you don't even know.
I find you amazingly blind.
As for Lonergan at 197cm, he's our only realistic tall option down back, guys like Gillies aren't ready for Koszinski or Barry Hall, and the rest.
So my advice is get behind him, apart from Harry 193 and Scarlo 192,
at a mobile 197cm and 100kg, he's a very much a required player.
Unless Johnson makes the devlopment transition to AFL level like Taylor did, which I doubt, we don't have a mature age tall replacement in defence.
And Dave the Cat, any chance you can do a 100+ km bike ride any Sat morning, we'll tag along with the Hell riders to keep the pace honest, so go have another beer.

personally i dont think lonergan is either, simply put hes just not good enough, would much rather get game time under gillies' belt then put this bloke anywhere near the field.

 

[darren forssman]

As for Byrnes.
Hey! where were you on Grand final day? Out of the country or on Mars?
Don't you realize what he did to Rav Clarke cost StKilda the flag and won it for us?
And his gutsy delivery under extreme pressure got the ball out to Varcoe who then handballed to Chappy for the matchwinner. Have a closer look.
He's already delivered in last years GF, and you don't even know.
I find you amazingly blind.

i never mentioned anything about what he didnt do in a grand final.

byrnes improved out of sight last year.

all im saying is that byrnes is what 25/26 and trav is 20/21, if in 4-5 years trav is still middle of the road then you can bump this thread and all praise be to allah.

As for Lonergan at 197cm, he's our only realistic tall option down back, guys like Gillies aren't ready for Koszinski or Barry Hall, and the rest.
So my advice is get behind him, apart from Harry 193 and Scarlo 192,
at a mobile 197cm and 100kg, he's a very much a required player.
Unless Johnson makes the devlopment transition to AFL level like Taylor did, which I doubt, we don't have a mature age tall replacement in defence.

well, we do agree, he is a depth player, nothing more.

kosi, hall, roughy will have a field day on him, so lets hope we dont have any serious injuries to our key backs.

 

[vinum coupe]

I love Trav.

Got to give him time. Pretty sure Bomber said that Trav doesn't 'believe' yet.
And that he'd set him a goal of 25 possessions, 5 goals and 8 tackles.
When he achieves it he thinks Trav will get the belief and start killing sides.

I wish he had more than 15 possies too. And I do notice him kind of floating past opponents who have the ball. He doesn't tackle like he used to.

I'm willing to put this down to him being given a role that he is sticking to.

We'll see, but I love it when he has the ball.

 

[Belisarius]

Until last year I was not convinced by Varcoe's performances. In glimpses or patches he was very good but just did not do it enough to convince me he could be an elite player or even a regular GFC firsts player. Last year changed my mind.

He definitely has the talent and has attributes like leg speed and quick hands - and was a more consistent performer for us last year. Still think he needs to get the ball more often in his hands - but then again he does not play where he would get more ball - the mid-field.

So I hope he gets some time in the middle this season - as someone said - he might just have a game that helps him really believe he can tear this game apart.

Never contemplated a HB role for him - interesting. Might do well on opponents like Davey of Melbourne and alike - that can hurt you (as our back line does not have that much leg speed).

I think he is more of a natural mid-field player and a move to the wing - with lots of space around him - maybe his go at this point in time.

 

[meto]

Ok, you're all right I'm wrong, but would someone keep a running average of his possessions this year.
I hope they do play him midfield then no excuses.
Wonder how effective he was at Freo today.

 

[David the Cat]

Ok, you're all right I'm wrong, but would someone keep a running average of his possessions this year.
I hope they do play him midfield then no excuses.
Wonder how effective he was at Freo today.

Varcoe was awesome I thought, linked up brilliantly with Ablett a few times through the middle, a couple of 1-2s. Hope he gets more time on the ball this season.

Rockford attended the game, and seems to have answered your question meto.

 

[Vdubs]

His role is NOT to amass possessions anyway. Ablett gets criticised for too many. Travis is there for link play, forward pressure, some goals and doing exactly what he has done to date. If he keeps improving a little each year, we do have a star. As he matures, he could slot into a Chris Johnson type back role, or even a midfielder if we lose 1 or 2.

 

[meto]

His role is NOT to amass possessions anyway. Ablett gets criticised for too many. Travis is there for link play, forward pressure, some goals and doing exactly what he has done to date. If he keeps improving a little each year, we do have a star. As he matures, he could slot into a Chris Johnson type back role, or even a midfielder if we lose 1 or 2.

Mate, he's not there for his good looks, if he's not getting possessions, or kicking goals, falling of tackles, then I gotta wonder why?
Let's hope he proves me wrong, but I don't think so, when the pressures up and the heats on I just reckon he's not there.

Personally I'd prefer that new fella Duncan.

 

[barmy44]

Doubt he'll have too much of an impact next year, perhaps like Tenaces first year but we'll see some good games from Varcoe (16+ games) in 2008 I reckon, will be a very good year along with Hawkins, Mackie, Gamble, Blake and no Bomber Thompson.

Reckon 2008 will be a very good year once we get through a medicore 2007.

ha

 

[SJ]

I love Trav.

Got to give him time. Pretty sure Bomber said that Trav doesn't 'believe' yet.
And that he'd set him a goal of 25 possessions, 5 goals and 8 tackles.
When he achieves it he thinks Trav will get the belief and start killing sides.

I wish he had more than 15 possies too. And I do notice him kind of floating past opponents who have the ball. He doesn't tackle like he used to.

I'm willing to put this down to him being given a role that he is sticking to.

We'll see, but I love it when he has the ball.

Haha that strip looks familar.

 

[Cohzee]

Ok, you're all right I'm wrong, but would someone keep a running average of his possessions this year.
I hope they do play him midfield then no excuses.
Wonder how effective he was at Freo today.

So, the way you think, more possessions equals a better game?