Travis Varcoe

[Hinkley29]

Not sure if this correct. Varcoe plays more up forward and the mid-field. Wojak plays more down back and on the wing.

I would really like to see Wojak get some form and have both playing in the same side. I believe it is important to have some leg speed across the park - some down back, some in the middle and down forward. This provides for greater pressure to be applied to the opposition ball holder and can be used to break the lines going the other way.

So hopefully Wojak down back, Varcoe in the middle and Byrnes up forward (and slight variations on this set up) could provide this scenario for the Cats.

The biggest problem I have seen with Wojak is that he tends to give away too many free kicks when he really doesn't have to do this. He seems like a confidence player and hopefully he gets some from playing in the twos - and does not get dejected from having to do so.

It would be awesome if we could get all of the speed across the park.

However, there is one problem with the set up of Wojak down back, Varcoe in the middle and Byrnes up forward. The problem being that Wojak is a crap defender. I am always nervous when he is called on to do a job in defense, and have always felt that he is better suited to a more attacking midfield role.

He is not a good defensive player, and really the two attributes he brings to the team are breaking the lines with his pace, and his long kicking (and his kicking his marginal at times).

Don't get me wrong, Wojak in full flight is one of the best sights on a footy field, but I feel that he has been in the team at times because he has been the only guy we could rely on to break the lines with pace. With Varcoe now doing this, Wojak probably has to show that he can earn his keep as a small defender, and I don't know that he can.

 

[Belisarius]

It would be awesome if we could get all of the speed across the park.

However, there is one problem with the set up of Wojak down back, Varcoe in the middle and Byrnes up forward. The problem being that Wojak is a crap defender. I am always nervous when he is called on to do a job in defense, and have always felt that he is better suited to a more attacking midfield role.

He is not a good defensive player, and really the two attributes he brings to the team are breaking the lines with his pace, and his long kicking (and his kicking his marginal at times).

Don't get me wrong, Wojak in full flight is one of the best sights on a footy field, but I feel that he has been in the team at times because he has been the only guy we could rely on to break the lines with pace. With Varcoe now doing this, Wojak probably has to show that he can earn his keep as a small defender, and I don't know that he can.

I agree with you to some extent. I cannot see Wojak getting time in the middle - Varcoe, given his better delivery skills, seems to have positioned himself well for more time in the middle in an already very good on-ball cohort. That leaves even less room for Wojak in this part of the park. Perhaps the wing then is his best place at present - but again given Geelong is so blessed with its mid-field it is hard to see him there.

I do remember his efforts down back before he did his knee - and he was quite solid as long as the match up was right. That is why I am still hopeful that he can regain some confidence and take on a defender role - and take on some of the smaller quicker opposition forwards (such as Milne). If he cannot do this it is hard to see him in the best 22. He would then be simply not flexible enough - as he could only play on the wing.

I thought earlier this season he was looking ok but his form must have dropped off to be back in the twos. If he cannot play down back he might end up being another DJ - a good player who just cannot get a game when the team has few injuries.

 

[CF]

Gamble is playing for his footy career at Geelong so I think there is no way in hell he would have passed that back to Varcoe. He needs to have Goals against his name if he is going to stay on the selection radar.

Travis is now in our top 22 so no probs for him.

 

[BrunoV]

I love him and put him in the SuperCoach side.

I actually see him as a more skillful Byron Pickett when Byron was playing at his best.

 

[the-one]

travis varcoe is a treat to wach but highlight reels never link up there genraly differnet parts of the game i seen a highlight reel of him other day so hes not good alltime cos of that but god amongst patches

 

[Cohzee]

travis varcoe is a treat to wach but highlight reels never link up there genraly differnet parts of the game i seen a highlight reel of him other day so hes not good alltime cos of that but god amongst patches

OKie doke.

 

[Premiers2007]

travis varcoe is a treat to wach but highlight reels never link up there genraly differnet parts of the game i seen a highlight reel of him other day so hes not good alltime cos of that but god amongst patches

Yeah he kick good gaols sometime and gets lots tackle put pressure on oppisiton but needs to get more kicks but then hanball more too relly god player isn he.

 

[the-one]

yeah hes good at tackles aswell sometinmes woojinky aswell can run fast = good backline

 

[Ninty]

I can see it's school holidays... Too bad you didn't take notice when at school though.

 

[fpm84]

You want to know how much Trav has improved this year?

Yesterday was, in my mind, one of his quieter games of the past month. Yet he still had 20 possessions, two tackles, two goal assists, one inside 50 and kicked a nice goal. A year ago we'd be talking about what a good game he had - these days we expect it

I love watching him play and he's now my second favourite Cat behind #35.

 

[Vegas.]

I still think he was damn good yesterday. Coaches would have been happy with his performance I'd say.

 

[Asty]

Good to see people finally jumping on the Varcoe train too many people over looked his age and injuries prior to being drafted when throwing criticism at him. I hope his confidence and fitness continue to grow because he offers a totally different dynamic to the midfield when he is up and about like on the weekend.

Yeah I think some people had forgotten that early in his draft year he was touted as a top 5 draft pick. Similar to Selwood he got injured and slipped down to us it has taken a while but that is to be expected considering his young age, injury and build when he came to the club.

Hopefully his brother can develop similarly over the next few years.

 

[The_Steadier]

i agree with the consensus around here, he has been a much improved player for your blokes this year.
Although his decision making still needs work, he seems well balanced with the ball.
(Hope he and about 20 of his mates have quiet ones on sunday!)

 

[Casey Cat]

i agree with the consensus around here, he has been a much improved player for your blokes this year.
Although his decision making still needs work, he seems well balanced with the ball.
(Hope he and about 20 of his mates have quiet ones on sunday!)

While I appreciate your positive contribution (actually, thanks ) I would disagree with you in saying that in my view his decision making is one of the best. He is very quick with the hand pass, tap, block, shepherd etc and seems to think very quickly. But only idiots like me who spend countless hours analyzing every bit of my team's performance would notice some of the stuff he does.

To me, the real improvement this year is his increased fitness and strength. I've been told that the last pre-season was the first one since coming to the club that Trav has been able to do a full weights program. Apparently his shoulders have been limiting him all this time but he's over that now.

If you really want to question decision making then in previous years you couldn't go past Byrnes but this year he has improved greatly - even though he occasionally slips back. At the moment Hawkins seems to be trying to do too much at times although I'm loving his marking. Mooney is another who needs his head examined more often than not (even though I love the guy!).

 

[gabstar]

Thanks YOTC. What an awesome effort. I just loved the way he burned off those three blokes and made it look easy.

Awesome post YOTC, Varcoe is awesome

 

[The_Steadier]

While I appreciate your positive contribution (actually, thanks ) I would disagree with you in saying that in my view his decision making is one of the best. He is very quick with the hand pass, tap, block, shepherd etc and seems to think very quickly. But only idiots like me who spend countless hours analyzing every bit of my team's performance would notice some of the stuff he does.

To me, the real improvement this year is his increased fitness and strength. I've been told that the last pre-season was the first one since coming to the club that Trav has been able to do a full weights program. Apparently his shoulders have been limiting him all this time but he's over that now.

If you really want to question decision making then in previous years you couldn't go past Byrnes but this year he has improved greatly - even though he occasionally slips back. At the moment Hawkins seems to be trying to do too much at times although I'm loving his marking. Mooney is another who needs his head examined more often than not (even though I love the guy!).

I wasn't so much criticising his decision making when he's got the pill... I've just observed him in situations this year where he has either gone at the ball too early or too late.
But it's just nitpicking really- I wish a couple of our boys (aka the clarke brothers) were showing what he has this year.
I thought raph really turned the corner in this department during the finals last year... but has gone backwards again in 09.

 

[Casey Cat]

I wasn't so much criticising his decision making when he's got the pill... I've just observed him in situations this year where he has either gone at the ball too early or too late.
But it's just nitpicking really- I wish a couple of our boys (aka the clarke brothers) were showing what he has this year.
I thought raph really turned the corner in this department during the finals last year... but has gone backwards again in 09.

Fair enough point then

RE the Clarke boys - don't they have injuries?

 

[The_Steadier]

Fair enough point then

RE the Clarke boys - don't they have injuries?

yeah, x clarke did an acl in the 2's a month or so ago, and is out for 12 months.
Raph has been injury free all year.

And while x was unlucky to cop a major injury- the fact is he and his brother have both been unable to push past such household names as Gwilt, Eddy, Jones, McQualter, Geary for a spot in the firsts in 09.

They are lovely guys- but dont seem to have it in them to breakout like Varcoe has done.
They sure can't complain about a lack of chances

 

[Sttew]

It's been a while coming (3 years), but the man has come of age. He must be a shoe-in for MVP in 09.

Yesterday his second efforts and never say die attitude was a joy to watch.

 

[jakethesnake]

Needs to be a bit more consistant in how damaging he is to other teams, otherwise, he has been a revelation this year.

 

[Go Cats!!]

Do you mean most improved player not MVP?

If so i agree, he has definately taken it up a few levels this year. The effort he puts to make 3 or 4 contests in a row is awesome. He is so much stronger and more balanced in the contest this year and adds something a little different through our mid field. I loved his run down tackle, you dont hear much about it but his closing speed is fantastic.

The best thing is i think he still has improvement left in him.

 

[Sttew]

Do you mean most improved player not MVP?

If so i agree, he has definately taken it up a few levels this year. The effort he puts to make 3 or 4 contests in a row is awesome. He is so much stronger and more balanced in the contest this year and adds something a little different through our mid field. I loved his run down tackle, you dont hear much about it but his closing speed is fantastic.

The best thing is i think he still has improvement left in him.

Yeah, I meant most improved player. Give him a few more years before he earns MVP!

 

[vegemite]

It's been a while coming (3 years), but the man has come of age. He must be a shoe-in for MVP in 09.

Yesterday his second efforts and never say die attitude was a joy to watch.

Agree he has been a massive improver this year, although you picked an interesting match to say this after. Apart from some very good patches in the 2nd quarter, he wasn't as good / consistent yesterday as he has been.

 

[crunchola]

Yeah, I meant most improved player. Give him a few more years before he earns MVP!

IMO,Varcoe will be our most untouchable player by end 09/10. Must keep

 

[Belisarius]

Agree he has been a massive improver this year, although you picked an interesting match to say this after. Apart from some very good patches in the 2nd quarter, he wasn't as good / consistent yesterday as he has been.

Agree with this posting. Has been really good of late but under the pressure of the big game was not as damaging. When he plays in a big game like this and stars he will believe even more in his ability to be a top line footballer and will even be a better player for Geelong. Perhaps should get some more rotations thru the middle as the year goes on.