Travis Varcoe

[Farmer2Goggin]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

I'm prejudice, how so?

Wojo is not a midfielder and never claimed to be one. He has a role to run out of defense or off the wing. Varcoe follows the stoppages like a genuine midfielder and rarely shows aggression to the contest.

I do hope he plays somewhere near his best too. Judging him at all on Sunday's game is just foolish though. When a bunch of VFL players who are struggling to win games in a team at VFL level suddenly destroy an AFL level team? If you can't smell something fishy there, you simply aren't looking at this realistically. Adelaide were beyond pathetic.

Not judging him on Sundays game , just pointing out that 24 touches , 10 contested possessions and 2 goals is what we want from him on a consistent basis , that is all.
Happy for him and more importantly for our Team that he racked this one up. I may be wrong but I get the feeling you will find fault with him , no matter what he does............

 

[Partridge]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

Would've thought there aint much more heat than the last quarter of a tight Grand Final. Did you miss the 2009 GF? He was terrific in the last. But I am sure you have some reason why we shouldnt credit him for that.

No he wasn't - what game were you watching???

I remember two clear passages of play involving Varcoe in the last quarter. One was when he got the ball on the outer wing with no one in front of him. He ran for a bit, missed the target, and when the chance came to collect the ball again kicked it on the full.

The second was when Byrnes got it to him, and he got it to Chappy for the sealer. Much better obviously.

I know Varcoe gets talked up around here but he was far from terrific in the 2009 Grand Final. It's just he was way better than he was the year before.

 

[hbk_aus]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

No he wasn't - what game were you watching???

I remember two clear passages of play involving Varcoe in the last quarter. One was when he got the ball on the outer wing with no one in front of him. He ran for a bit, missed the target, and when the chance came to collect the ball again kicked it on the full.

The second was when Byrnes got it to him, and he got it to Chappy for the sealer. Much better obviously.

I know Varcoe gets talked up around here but he was far from terrific in the 2009 Grand Final. It's just he was way better than he was the year before.

Watching the same game as you mate. And in my opinion he made a real difference with his run in the last, him and Byrnes. At no time did i mention any of the 3 previous quarters. Am not talking him up at all, just stating from an unbiased point of view because i think he has been quite poor this year as i have stated earlier, apparently in invisible text to some people.

Its all about opinions and respecting other people's. Try it.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

No he wasn't - what game were you watching???

I remember two clear passages of play involving Varcoe in the last quarter. One was when he got the ball on the outer wing with no one in front of him. He ran for a bit, missed the target, and when the chance came to collect the ball again kicked it on the full.

The second was when Byrnes got it to him, and he got it to Chappy for the sealer. Much better obviously.

I know Varcoe gets talked up around here but he was far from terrific in the 2009 Grand Final. It's just he was way better than he was the year before.

It's never been any different. Certain types of fans/personality types will not accept that a player is playing bad at all until they are dropped, and will defend them no matter what, while taking any criticism to heart. It's OK to have faith in the club, sure, but they don't always make the right decision.

People on here are telling me my views are wrong because they don't correspond with Chris Scott's words during press conferences?? Anyone hear James Hird sounding dumbfounded when asked about Ryder's garbage form? Hird actually denied the undeniable. Why? Because he has to. Ryder has been pathetic, Hird knows that but he's obviously not going to say it.

The bottom line on Varcoe is he hasn't lived up to the hype, fairly or unfairly. He was a high(ish) draft pick + pointed out by many to replace Ablett as our No. 1 midfielder post-2010. There was really never anything to back that up at all! I think a lot of fans have too much faith in the guy to be honest. Too much expectation.

 

[SJ]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

Please keep the discussion on topic. I think we are mature enough to play the ball and not the man.

 

[David the Cat]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

I'm not going to repeat myself, go back and re-read my posts.

McDonalds?? How this is relevant I don't know? Trying to place me in some sought of socio-economic bracket? Well, if only you knew?

Too many of you on here accept mediocrity... that's fine. It's probably a good reason why so many of you fail at life in general.

BTW.. If you want to talk about males putting things in other males a**'s, I'd imagine there are appropriate forums for it elsewhere.

Given this patronising and arrogant contribution, it is the height of hypocricy for you to be telling anyone to get off their high horse.

EDIT: You're quite right SJ...I didn't see your post before posting mine.

Given Varcoe's excellent performance last weekend the topic is really redundant for at least a couple of weeks, particularly given Chris Scott's comments after the game on Saturday. Hopefully people will get off his back for a while.

 

[Partridge]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

The bottom line on Varcoe is he hasn't lived up to the hype, fairly or unfairly. He was a high(ish) draft pick + pointed out by many to replace Ablett as our No. 1 midfielder post-2010. There was really never anything to back that up at all! I think a lot of fans have too much faith in the guy to be honest. Too much expectation.

I don't know about replacing Ablett, but he did show great improvement last year. To me the fundamental difference was he started showing a physical side to his game which hadn't been there. The skills have never, ever been in question.

I've said it before, but the player I saw in the final practice hitout against Carlton this year was unrecognisable to the last few weeks (before the Adelaide game). Not just the pace, but he was bursting through packs and coming out the other side. I was utterly convinced he'd gone up another gear. It hasn't yet transpired that way.

Unless of course, Scott is keeping him in reserve for August/September, which I wouldn't bet against. But so far his season has been disappointing, like it or not.

 

[meto]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

Possibly it's got to do with his name, seems to fuse itself into peoples minds, he's a great and always will be? Varcoe!!!
Supposed to have done great vs the Hawks, think I'll check his stats on that outstanding game?
Played a 3rd quarter vs the Blues, and of course Adelaide had his highest possession game in memory!
Sorry people no matter how you try to talk him up, has underperformed for the 13 rounds he's played so far given time spent on the ground.
So far has been proven soft in the hard games.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

Given Varcoe's excellent performance last weekend the topic is really redundant for at least a couple of weeks, particularly given Chris Scott's comments after the game on Saturday. Hopefully people will get off his back for a while.

I'm of the opinion that a game where the opposition puts next to no physical pressure on their opponents for the duration should be classed as redundant. The Adelaide game shouldn't be used as a yard stick for any player, it was a terrible, heartless performance by Adelaide.

But hey, if your happy to accept Varcoe's mediocrity against good opponents while he bullies the weak teams, fine. How useful will he be in finals?

Again with the Chris Scott comment...

 

[winty]

Not judging him on Sundays game , just pointing out that 24 touches , 10 contested possessions and 2 goals is what we want from him on a consistent basis , that is all.
Happy for him and more importantly for our Team that he racked this one up. I may be wrong but I get the feeling you will find fault with him , no matter what he does............

He also had 6 tackles on the weekend too, which was equal 3rd for us on the day with Christensen, and one behind Boris and Smithy.

What he showed on the weekend is what we expect of him week in, week out. Hopefully he turned the corner on Sunday and we'll see more of that out of him. Only time will tell.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

Given this patronising and arrogant contribution, it is the height of hypocricy for you to be telling anyone to get off their high horse.

EDIT: You're quite right SJ...I didn't see your post before posting mine.

Given Varcoe's excellent performance last weekend the topic is really redundant for at least a couple of weeks, particularly given Chris Scott's comments after the game on Saturday. Hopefully people will get off his back for a while.

Totally with you on this one David. I also notice that Corey Enright was extolling the virtues of Travs game on Sunday - so that's CS and Boris singing his praises - more than enough for me. We need Varcoe to play well if we are to be a threat in Finals so we should all wish him well for the greater good of the Club.

 

[winty]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

I'm of the opinion that a game where the opposition puts next to no physical pressure on their opponents for the duration should be classed as redundant. The Adelaide game shouldn't be used as a yard stick for any player, it was a terrible, heartless performance by Adelaide.

If it was a heartless performance by Adelaide, explain to me how they beat us in contested possessions and clearances, and doubled us in tackles inside the forward 50. Hardly statistics of a heartless side.

 

[meto]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

[/b]


Totally with you on this one David. I also notice that Corey Enright was extolling the virtues of Travs game on Sunday - so that's CS and Boris singing his praises - more than enough for me. We need Varcoe to play well if we are to be a threat in Finals so we should all wish him well for the greater good of the Club.

Abit over the top,'if we are to be a threat in the finals', carn't believe how narrow minded and one eyed you'd have to be to make that comment.
You should apologise to the rest of the team for talking such drivel!

He's been practically nowhere all season until last week, now he's our great hope for the flag????
20 or more others have been more consistent and contributing than him in 2011, and you come out with this Varcoe worship mantra crap.

You're a laugh mate!

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

I doubt he's been nowhere meto, Chris Scott does not fu** around...if the VFL boys have proven themselves to him, he'll always drop that player who is not doing the job for the team and so far he hasn't yet dropped Varcoe. Like Chappy he's needed more time to find form but you'll probably find he's been given lesser roles during games and now as the season is starting to get serious, Trav will begin to step up the workload and add more attributes to his game. The tackling is number 1 for me, if he only can lay say...7 or 8 tackles per game and that's all, it's good enough for me because I know those tackles will generate turnovers and our ability to find targets will result in goals. You only have to look at Alwyn Davey's tackling effectivity back in 2009 & 2010 to see how crucial Trav can be in the forward/half forward area.

 

[darren forssman]

varcoe is going to be sh1t this week, 0 possessions, 0 goals, 0 tackles.

vindication for all.

 

[Belisarius]

I am a nuetral on Varcoe. I am not in the camp that believed this season was going to see him consistently play at a high standard (rip the game apart) - as quite a few believed he would.


I do not subscribe either then to him being one of the keys to our succes in a GF this year - nor that he is not a valuable and needed player in our team.


For me his form and influence on games over the last 4 seasons means he is in the best 22 - somewhere between our 15 th - 18 th or so best player.


There is no doubt at his best he brings leg speed, tackling, run and goals that makes us a much more dangerous GF contender.


I think his last season has been better than this one. Perhaps his shoulder injury hurt him more than I thought it would. And he has nearly a half season to get a better fitness base and consistent form. And we have a few games against bottom eight teams coming up. Perhaps it will all work out.


So far Chris Scott has made the right decisions - 13 zip says that. Menzel, Duncan, Vardy and Christensen (and maybe THunt) are all looking good to make the team - Stokes, JHunt and Mackie having better seasons.


Game plan maybe not as exciting but is proving more effective - especially against our main rivals.


So I will continue to stay on the fence and let Scott continue his midas touch with regards to Varcoe.

 

[Vdubs]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

No not racist, being aboriginal has nothing do with his downhill skiing ability. Its because he's a soft outside player who goes missing when the heat is on. Yeah he may get a lot of tackles, but that's because he's always 2nd to the ball.

Had to laugh at your call of "his best patches"

So you're saying he hasn't even played well for an entire game yet this season against a top side?

A poor man's Eddie Betts

Only an idiot would ski uphill. And we are not including XC Skiing here, Travis is an explosive impact player, not an endurance athlete.

TV has been criticised for: 1. not enough possessions
2. not enough tackles
3. too many tackles
4. too many possessions against weak opposition
5. being soft
6. not being interested
7. lacking confidence
8. being noticed because of his skill/flair

We all know this guy can be the X factor in our finals campaign, and we have a few candidates for X factorism. Pretty obvious SOME are on his case, and as long as he does what the MC requests, and struts his stuff increasingly from now on, we are a better team with Varcoe in it.

What's wrong with Eddie Betts? Every good team needs those types that through sheer skill and guile can mesmerise opposition. Regularly. Betts, Milne, Neon, Krakoeur, Cyril, .. Varcoe is in that list.

 

[EaglesNflowers]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

http://www.********************.au/articles/2011/06/28/geelong-send-stars-west-to-train-up/

I saw Varcoe and Selwood today at Edith Cowan University.... The lecturer looked pretty excited to be showing them around. Would loved to have been a part of the training/study going on

 

[PatrickBateman]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

What's wrong with Eddie Betts? Every good team needs those types that through sheer skill and guile can mesmerise opposition. Regularly. Betts, Milne, Neon, Krakoeur, Cyril, .. Varcoe is in that list.

You've definitely got a point there(although adding Cyril to that list is an insult), although the problem is that Varcoe isn't a forward like the aforementioned players. He's been put in the midfield and follows the stoppages, therefore is required to be more physical as a rule.

At the moment I'd put Varcoe in the same bracket as Betts, Neon, Krakoer etc.. they're all outside, space requiring players who shy away from the physical contest more often than not. Milne not so much. I've seen him put his body on the line many times, you'd still class the guy as a genuine front runner though.

If Varcoe refuses to get more physical he will never be a great midfielder, not the way the game is going. Perhaps a forward line or a running defender role is more suited to him.

 

[SJ]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

http://www.********************.au/articles/2011/06/28/geelong-send-stars-west-to-train-up/

I saw Varcoe and Selwood today at Edith Cowan University.... The lecturer looked pretty excited to be showing them around. Would loved to have been a part of the training/study going on

What would Selwood and Varcoe be doing in Perth when we have a game in Melbourne this weekend?

 

[cat in sydney]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

What would Selwood and Varcoe be doing in Perth when we have a game in Melbourne this weekend?

Sounds very weird.

Unless Varcoe has already been ruled out of playing, and he and Joel have been given some sort of ambassadorial role during the week (as neither would be playing this Saturday).

Still, sounds weird...

 

[mac_cat]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

link link won't work, see sportsnewsfirst. com.au and click on afl tab

Varcoe, 23, is a hot tip to be rested from the Cats Round 15 clash with Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night.

The live-wire forward and goal opportunist will stay in the west in lead up to a blockbuster clash with top-four aspirants West Coast in Perth on Friday-week.

Varcoe has played all 13 Cats games so far this season and 20 straight last year after missing the opening five games of 2010 with a broken thumb.

It is understood Cats officials and sports science staff has opted for a specialist in-season training regime in a bid to rejuvenate Varcoe’s spark on the back of heavy training and playing loadings.

He is expected to be a starter against West Coast on the big Patersons Stadium playing arena.

Varcoe launched his 2011 season in a blaze of possessions and energetic contributions with the unbeaten Cats, but in the past month since just a six disposal outing against the Western Bulldogs in Round 11 has been below his explosive best.

He was back to his most imposing and threatening forward line best in last Sunday's untroubled 52-point win over Adelaide at Skilled Stadium with 24 possessions and two goals.

It is understood his planned WA training recovery and recuperation was already in motion before his return to form against the struggling Crows.

A lot of "it is understood", but it does sound like the journalist has got the information from somewhere.

 

[Tricove]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

Selwood and Varcoe trained with WAFL side South Fremantle @ Fremantle oval last night. Channel 10 news mentioned that Selwood was likely to spend 2 weeks over here and Varcoe would be rested from this weeks game.

 

[SJ]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

link


A lot of "it is understood", but it does sound like the journalist has got the information from somewhere.

And that is exactly why those links don't work because generally the subject matter on that website is rubbish.

 

[mac_cat]

Re: Calls for Varcoe to be dropped

And that is exactly why those links don't work because generally the subject matter on that website is rubbish.

Oh, I've never heard of it before. But it seems like a few people on this forum from WA have seen Trav there, so at least that much must be true.