Varcoe

[Asty]

I dont think he was brilliant on friday and I am not sure if he will hold his spot with chapman coming back (gamble or varcoe likely to make way for chappy) but I did think he started to show a bit about where he might be over the next few years. Bomber played him a little more up the ground than last year, more deep forward last year, and on a couple of occassions I thought he linked well through the middle and looked more comfortable on in that role. Not sure what game time he would have ended up playing for his 9 possessions. Another year or two and I think he will mature into the wingman that tenace could have been. ie good link man with pace who can hurt the opposition offensively.

 

[Ricketts]

I'd keep him in. He'll go better at the Dome.

 

[Hairy Cat Mooney]

I hope he gets another game, but if Chappy is fit then Varcoe will definitely be out of the team.

 

[hamG]

Still lacks the the ability to play within structured AFL football. Needs to be coached, random flashes of skill and a few tackles are not enough when you have wonderful skills and pure pace and are a highly rated early draft pick. If you combined Varcoe's pure skill with Shannon's work ethic you'd have a damn fine forward.

 

[cat_fanatic]

He showed some very promising signs on Friday. Although he will definitely be out of the team this week, i think we have a lot to look forward to in the next few years with Hawkins, Gamble and Varcoe making up the core of our forward line.

 

[Turkey Tom]

He does not play well in wet or slippery conditions, from what I have seen. Next Saturday will suit him better.

Not sure why they selected him in the first place...they must have known with the dew it would have been slippery, but seeing Geelong trying to play dry weather football on Friday night, maybe they didn't realise it was going to be slippery!

 

[cat_fanatic]

He does not play well in wet or slippery conditions, from what I have seen. Next Saturday will suit him better.

Not sure why they selected him in the first place...they must have known with the dew it would have been slippery, but seeing Geelong trying to play dry weather football on Friday night, maybe they didn't realise it was going to be slippery!

It looked like the Collingwood players were holding their feet much better than us... did they anticipate slippery conditions and prepare accordingly? We don't play Friday night games at the MCG often, perhaps this slipped under the radar?

 

[SJ]

He didn't do a great deal (who did?) but he showed more heart than most of the side. Applied pressure and presented an option across half-forward/wing.

 

[Sean Sheep]

I thought I was the only one thinking that we didn't handle the slippery conditions well, and I haven't mentioned it for fear it would be seen as an excuse. You could see that players were unsure on their feet and didn't have the usual confidence in their disposal. I thought the same thing against Richmond for the first quarter and a half.

 

[Just do something]

Still lacks the the ability to play within structured AFL football. Needs to be coached, random flashes of skill and a few tackles are not enough when you have wonderful skills and pure pace and are a highly rated early draft pick. If you combined Varcoe's pure skill with Shannon's work ethic you'd have a damn fine forward.

i agree with you hamG im still waiting to see real signs that the number 5 can play consistent football. Seems to in and out. This obviously happens with being young.

The issue is he needs to play games as it must be real hard to be in one week out the next. Who knows!!

 

[OldStyle2007]

Leon Davis took a while to develop.. maybe varcoe will too

I like Varcoe. I think he adds something to the side in just flat out pace. (I'd be interested to know if he is quicker than Wojinski?)

But when I watch him at games he is frustrating as he doesn't seem to run to the right spots which suggests that he is not a natural footballer. Like HamGbunger said: if you could blend Byrne's talent for getting the ball with Varcoe's skill you would have an awesome player. If they can teach him the game he will be great

 

[cozdawg#09]

I hope he gets another game, but if Chappy is fit then Varcoe will definitely be out of the team.

And that's something that frustrates me about this team; there's too many automatic selections in the side that once someone gets an opportunity through injury to another player it is taken away the next week once that player comes back.

I agree that Chapman has earnt his right to be an automatic selection but out of the small-forwards on Friday night (Stokes, Gamble, Varcoe... etc.) I think Varcoe was one of the best. I don't agree with Stokes being an automatic selection, especially after being reported, I think that he needed to be sent a message that it wasn't acceptable and he needed to earn his spot back rather than have it given to him at the expense of Max who earns his spot every week.

 

[Duskfire]

And that's something that frustrates me about this team; there's too many automatic selections in the side that once someone gets an opportunity through injury to another player it is taken away the next week once that player comes back.

I agree that Chapman has earnt his right to be an automatic selection but out of the small-forwards on Friday night (Stokes, Gamble, Varcoe... etc.) I think Varcoe was one of the best. I don't agree with Stokes being an automatic selection, especially after being reported, I think that he needed to be sent a message that it wasn't acceptable and he needed to earn his spot back rather than have it given to him at the expense of Max who earns his spot every week.

Why does Chapman deserve an automatic spot but Stokes doesn't? Stokes has been far more consistent then Chapman this year. Heck, arguably he was more consistent last year too. I like them both, but Stokes has earned his spot by being a good player who constantly is in the right place at the right time. Granted he didn't have a great game against Collingwood, but neither did most of our team.

 

[themuddy#3]

i find varcoe a dull uninspiring player who rarely gets the ball and often misuses the ball. still early days yet,but i dont think he will ever replace (take the place of) vegas.

 

[malvern]

Why does Chapman deserve an automatic spot but Stokes doesn't? Stokes has been far more consistent then Chapman this year. Heck, arguably he was more consistent last year too. I like them both, but Stokes has earned his spot by being a good player who constantly is in the right place at the right time. Granted he didn't have a great game against Collingwood, but neither did most of our team.

Chapman doesn't deserve automatic selection?????????????

What drugs are you on????? He is in out top 10 and if fit, will and should play.

Stokes is in our best 22 and should also play when fit - no question at all.

 

[Duskfire]

Chapman doesn't deserve automatic selection?????????????

What drugs are you on????? He is in out top 10 and if fit, will and should play.

Stokes is in our best 22 and should also play when fit - no question at all.

Calm down, I didn't say Chapman doesn't deserve automatic selection He most certainly does, as does Stokes.

 

[carntheroos4eva]

Just reading a few of the replies and I think that some of you in here are a little harsh on the guy who you guys are sponsoring.
It was his first game for the year and you guys are digging in at him when he's probably sitting back reading all this thread and taking notice of how rude some of you are.
Lift your game guys

 

[Pollywaffle]

Not sure why they selected him in the first place...they must have known with the dew it would have been slippery, but seeing Geelong trying to play dry weather football on Friday night, maybe they didn't realise it was going to be slippery!

Has anyone considered they put him in because it was the indigenous round?
Maybe some subtle pressure from AFL

IMHO He doesnt look ready for the big stage to me but shows some promise for the future

Regarding the slipping etc I agree . It seems to happen every time we play a night game at the G. Although I watched them play sensational footy against Port at AAMI on a wet slippery night last year Lets hope there aint too many night finals at the MCG!

 

[Mighty Cat]

Has anyone considered they put him in because it was the indigenous round?
Maybe some subtle pressure from AFL

Hate to agree with u on that point but I had the same thought.... still Varcoe is someone I look forward to watching hopefully he gets more chances... must admit thou he doesnt like to go in and get the hard ball.