Travis Varcoe - has father time caught up?

[LaurieHolden]

Reflecting on game day comments ^^ re Varcoes output be considered on 'complexity and dynamism' as an inclusion factor, not just stats driven.

I believe that has been called out with his 5 possessions last week and 9 before. I won't call it spectating as that's not what is happening. I'll call it out, he's cooked. Happens to all players.

Varcoe is and has been in decline for some time. 2018 was a poor season when viewed on his body of work, let's not step around that. (yes, I'm aware of the family situation, no need to draw on the obvious)

But at least acknowledge and consider the facts. It's 2019, our list depth without injury is the best it's been for a decade. Competition for spots rules and Varcoe's past two matches have highlighted he's going to find it hard to find a regular spot based on his recent output. (past 20 games)

While I look forward to Varcoe's response, as he's been a great servant, I suspect the inflection point of who's banging down the selection door and the output he will be required to deliver has crossed over.
I don't want to see any of our Colts leave because they weren't getting an opportunity. This is the dilemma. Get games into the kids or 'hope' the latter rebounds.

In golf parlance he's now a flusher. Capable of some sublime 'sweet spot' moments but rarely puts a fcomplete round together. He'd be great on an ambrose day. In 2019 that alone isn't enough to be a best 22 lock.

Just stepping out now to put on my helmet, here come the short deliveries....

[Pies4shaw]

Because Varcoe offers something we don't have in great supply - speed covering the ground - I think we need to see whether he can get some form back. It is the early part of a season that the Club expects will be a long one and quite a few players are not yet anywhere near their peak (my favourite player, Sidey, being one of those). I certainly thought Varcoe needed to be dropped after round 2 (put aside the "disposals" and look at the kicks - he has had 4 in 8 quarters) and I thought he was a prospect to be dropped after round 1.

Whenever someone gets around the 30 mark and they have a drop off in production the question begs to be asked whether they are "done". It didn't look to me like Travis was struggling to cover the ground, though, it just looked to me like he couldn't get his hands on the footy. The two may prove to be one and the same thing but I think it's a little premature to call "stumps" just yet - it may just be a bad patch.

[PyreneesPie]

^ You have expressed my thoughts about Varcoe exactly, Pies4Shaw. His tackling too can be simply inspirational when he's on song. He's too valuable a player in many respects, but especially for the morale of the side, to be put out to pasture just yet.
Last year was a hugely emotional year for him and he may be suffering a bit of an emotional let down, more so than the other players. May take him longer to develop his fierce desire for the ball. I am daring to predict that come the latter part of the season, he will be vital to the side once again.

[RudeBoy]

I just fear he has lost a yard.

[eureka]

seams to be quicker with out the ball and is good defences but slow when he has the ball that when he has it that is

[WhyPhilWhy?]

Horses for courses selection?

[LaurieHolden]

^^ I reckon it’s a bit of both. He’s lost a yard and that’s why we’ve seen the drop off in his game day impact.
No doubt horses for courses but he’s going to have to develop his game to add a string to his bow to prolong his career with us. I suspect his days are numbered as an impact player. Defensive kick-in similar to Leon? Maybe a defensive specialist role. Hard to do it mid-season bit I’d prefer he trials that in the reserves over a few weeks and see what develops.

[BazBoy]

Listened to a fair bit of ( except 1st qtr) VFL broadcast did not hear his name but a lot of Ben Reid

[K]

Ben?! That's great!

[Cuthbert Collingwood]

A disappointing start to the season, he's disposing of the ball at 100% and laid some good tackles but the damning stat is only 65 metres gained per game - very un-Varcoe like. Hope he warms up to the season in the twos

[BazBoy]

K. I didn’t hear it all but think Reid kicked 3 gls 5pts

[Magpietothemax]

[swoop42]

People need to do their homework.

He was ordinary across his first 12 games last season also and most of his numbers have declined year on year at Collingwood.

If it wasn't for the teams rapid rise up the ladder in 2018 with breakout seasons coming from 5 other forwards in de Goey, Hoskin-Elliott, Thomas, Stephenson and Mihocek then he would have come under far more scrutiny.

Varcoe is very much the cherry on top of our team unlike the player who replaced him who helps provides the foundation on which he sits and with the current status of our list that includes the additions of Elliott, Beams, Moore and Roughead since last years GF he was always one of the more likely candidates to make way.

You can't fit them all in.

Injury or poor form from the likes of a Thomas, Greenwood or Aish is his way back into the team if his VFL form demands attention.

[BazBoy]

Varcoe ain’t an orphan in the lack of form then the chop

Every player has to play well and complete the role they are given
to go again next game

[masoncox]

I said in another thread that varcoe averaged around 350 disposals when he played full seasons at collingwood and geelong.
Last year he averaged around 250 disposals in a full season.
It is an indication that he is not hitting the heights he once did.
A big drop in output.