Travis Varcoe

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Thread starter #1
Do people think Travis Varcoe can have a direct impact this year?
We saw many good glimpses of silky touch this season, so do we think he may improve for next season?
What role will he play?
I still think he will play small, defensive forward, with a little time in the middle.

I'm guessing in the home and away season, he'll play about 15 matches for about 20 goals, averaging roughly 13 possesions a match, and 2-3 tackles.
What are others expecting?
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#2
I dont think he is ever going to be a high possession getter.
He needs to improve his overhead marking.
His pressure is awesome and as he gets fitter this will become better.
He will take Brynes spot. Him and Stokes will be our main small forwards.
I would like to see ~10 possies a game, 5+ tackles and ~1.6 goals.
 

BigBadCam

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#3
Although we've seen glimpses of brilliance from Varcoe, he needs to improve his decision making. Too many times I saw him get the ball, blaze away and just shank it randomly. I think he needs to slow things down a bit and look at his options.
 

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#4
Travis needs to start winning his own ball. IMHO if he attacked the ball with the same ferocity that he attacks the opposition player who has won the ball, it would be difficult not to select him. He seems to wait for things to happen around him instead of trying to make them happen.

I suspect that Diji could possibly steal a spot, if he is fit, because of his agression at the ball and at the opponent with possession.
 

Brasil2007

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#5
He was pretty good early in the season. Bit too much of a see ball/get ball player but he'll grow out of that (and besides a bit of that isn't bad in a young player).
 

worthogs

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#6
Although we've seen glimpses of brilliance from Varcoe, he needs to improve his decision making. Too many times I saw him get the ball, blaze away and just shank it randomly. I think he needs to slow things down a bit and look at his options.
Sorry We are talking about Varcoe Not Shannon Byrnes.
Varcoe will improve aI also think his role is to lay the tackles, and be that opportunist small forward, yes he will shank from time to time.
 

cancat

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#7
I think he did very well for a 19 year old. Did the defensive forward job he was asked to do but at times showed glimpses of what he might be capable of with the ball in his hands.

Is clearly ahead of the other 19 year olds such as Djerrkura, Hogan and Gamble.

Having said that he wouldn't be in my best 22 if everyone including Egan was fit.
 
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#8
I must confess, as a fan I've been pretty harsh on Varcoe. He'll do something extraordinary then do something stupid. But then, he's only 19 so I suppose I shouldn't expect too much from him at this stage of his career.

Overall, last year he did really well. He got a lot of games in one of the best sides we've had - perhaps ever, so taking his age into consideration, he's doing well.

As for next year, I'm not expecting him to bulk up a lot because he seems to be built for speed. He already tackles really well and the opposition backmen are aware of him and can fumble as a result. There were some games where he looked to be running around not knowing what to do, ie getting nowhere near it. Perhaps more match experience will reduce those games where he looks a little lost. Maybe more time in the midfield but as others have said, he chases too much and just doesn't 'get it' enough (perhaps that's his instruction though...).

At this stage, next year I see a spot in the Premiership side as being open for Prismall or Varcoe. At this stage, I'd rather have Prismall in the side.
 

sarah.13

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#9
Expectations on young Varcoe are far too high at this stage of his career.
He's only 19, missed most of 2006 through injury.
This year was his first pre-season and whilst he showed flashes of his undoubted ability,ran out of steam mid way through the season.
He will get better as he matures (both in body and mind) and is probably 2-3 years away from being a good consistent player. Look at Stokes who came to the club at 21 and improved this year (due to being fitter)
Varcoe will be a dynamic and match winning type of player but not in the immediate future.
All we should expect for now are cameo appearances where he provides forward line pressure and a crumbing goal once or twice a game.
 

rizzo

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#11
Varcoe has received a lot of unwarranted criticism about his game.

I think as he develops he will move out of the typical aboriginal goal sneak genre and into a classy wingman.

His speed and his desperation is first class. His kicking, decision making and all round awareness will increase with the more senior exposure he gets.

I feel he is the type of player that finds the VFL to slow for his liking Ala SJ, so we will generally see his better footy in the seniors.
 

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#12
He needs to read the play a lot better and run to the right spots

I reckon Djerkerra will really push Varcoe for a spot as he is stronger and just as quick

Byrnes is surely not going to play ahead of these 2. Watching the replays of the finals he is not on the same level as the rest of the team
 

CF

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#13
I think he has good footy instincts and of course he is quick. What he needs to improve on is his strength. Gets pushed off the ball way too easily and his aerobic capacity needs to improve if he wants a midfield spot. For a 19 yo indigenous player he has had a good 2007. I hope he can build on it in 2008.
 

Rosso

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#14
Varcoe has received a lot of unwarranted criticism about his game.

I think as he develops he will move out of the typical aboriginal goal sneak genre and into a classy wingman.

His speed and his desperation is first class. His kicking, decision making and all round awareness will increase with the more senior exposure he gets.

I feel he is the type of player that finds the VFL to slow for his liking Ala SJ, so we will generally see his better footy in the seniors.
Good call Rizzo. Trav tends to get rid of it rather than run with it when he gets the ball outside 50. With his pace and evasive skills he could develop along the lines of Danyle Pearce but needs to get his confidence up first. Once he breaks the lines a few times he'll be set but I'd say that he'll have to do it in the VFL first despite it being a little too slow for him.

I remember seeing Ronnie Burns playing in the twos when he first came to the cattery and he mesmerised everyone, even his teammates. Saw him one day get the ball on the half back line and evade a handful of opponents before doing a lookaway handpass to an open teammate about 40 metres out. Only problem was that his teammate was looking at the goals waiting for the ball to sail through post high. Instead the ball trickled over the boundary line. I don't think Ronnie handpassed the ball ever again after that effort!
 

cozdawg#09

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#15
i just wana see the kid get some mongrel in him and start being a bit agressive and fearless and earn his kicks
 

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I must confess, as a fan I've been pretty harsh on Varcoe. He'll do something extraordinary then do something stupid. But then, he's only 19 so I suppose I shouldn't expect too much from him at this stage of his career.
I can remember a few seasons ago thinking the same thing about SJ. Maybe we need to give Trav a six week club imposed suspension so he can come back and dominate like SJ did last year. :p
 

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#17
I think he'll be in and out of the team this year, there will be more competition for his place as some of the other youngsters like Djerkurra develop. If it were a choice between Varcoe and Byrnes, though, I would hope that Trav gets the nod more often than not. He definitely needs to work on getting his own ball and building up some strength - it's all very well to be a ferocious tackler, but if he had possession in the first place then all of the tackling and pressuring that he was so good at last season would have been mostly unnecessary.
 
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#20
I would like him to grow 2ft, put on about 35kg of muscle, develop a 55+ inch verticle leap, run the 100 in sub 10, be completely ambidextrous and have the fitness to run 30+km a game.
 

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#22
I would like him to grow 2ft, put on about 35kg of muscle, develop a 55+ inch verticle leap, run the 100 in sub 10, be completely ambidextrous and have the fitness to run 30+km a game.
I wish he was a little bit taller,
I wish he was more a angry footballer
I wish he had a girl who looked good
he would call her
I wish he had a thumping 60m torpedo
 
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#25
I think Varcoe will get better. Some body strengthening will help his confidence to go in and get the ball.

Im sure the coaching stuff will instil this in him.

Decision makign comes with composure which is gained when u have more confidence. At a young age with little experience behimd him he wont haev the confidence as yet.

2010 i think is the year Varcoe will develop into a solid player.

I am more excited by Djekkura. COuld be the next Byron Picket
 
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