‘Family rift’ between former AFL player Travis Varcoe and his dad Brian leaves sister Maggie Varcoe’s grave unmarked

A “rift” between a former AFL star and his family has resulted in a woman’s grave being left unmarked – five years after her sudden death.

A rift between a former AFL star and his dad has left their sister and daughter’s grave unmarked for five years following her sudden and tragic death.

Margaret ‘Maggie’ Varcoe, sister of former Geelong and Collingwood gun Travis Varcoe, does not have a gravestone, lawn tablet or even a sign to indicate she is buried in Smithfield Memorial Park at Evanston South.

Maggie died after she clashed heads with a teammate in a tragic incident during the division two women’s Adelaide Football League grand final in 2018.

Brian Varcoe father of football player Maggie Varcoe who died after a head clash during a game, at his northern suburbs home. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The Advertiser spoke to Maggie’s father Brian Varcoe who said Maggie’s brother, two-time Cats premiership player Travis, was the interment right holder meaning he must give permission for any changes or installations to the plot.

Mr Varcoe has not spoken to his son, who is now an assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs, to gain permission to install a lawn tablet on Maggie’s burial site, despite family friend Kade Roder starting a GoFundMe page to pay for it.

Mr Varcoe said Travis was transferred the rights to Maggie’s plot and it had remained unmarked since.

“That caused a rift in the family,” he said.

“I don’t want my family fighting like this … I don’t want it to turn into a slanging match … but I believe Travis has done the wrong thing.

“I’m not talking to Travis, I don’t want anything to do with him – it’s unfortunate.”

Travis told The Advertiser that in 2021 Josh, Maggie’s partner at the time of her death, transferred the rights to the plot to him after having control since she died.

Travis said he was then made aware his sister’s grave was unmarked and began conversations with his family about what to do.

“No one was able to agree,” he said.

Travis said his family refused to contribute financially to a plaque and he was not in the position to finance it himself.

“I would be happy to put a plaque without a doubt - it’s a conversation I am willing to have.

“No one in the family has contacted me about a plaque.”

Maggie Varcoe with her brother Travis. Picture: Facebook

Travis said as far as he was aware the relationship with his dad was fine.

“It was normal. I don’t know where this came from.

“It’s disappointing it’s gotten to this.”

Mr Varcoe does not have a mobile phone or landline which his son said made it difficult to contact him in regards to anything.

“I’ve had to have a friend go round with a phone so he can have a conversation with my daughter, his granddaughter - it’s very hard,” Travis said.

Mr Varcoe is desperate for a plaque to be installed to mark his daughter’s grave.

“It would mean everything (to have a plaque),” he said.

The unmarked grave of Margaret Varcoe, 27-year-old sister of former Collingwood player Travis Varcoe, in Smithfield Memorial Park. Ms Varcoe’s plot is to the right of this plaque. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Mr Roder said he would not have known where Maggie was laid to rest if not for her father leading him to her plot on Sunday.

When the Munno Para man saw Maggie’s grave was unmarked, he was heartbroken.

“We felt that Margaret really deserved to have a marker at her grave,” Mr Roder said.

“We think everyone deserves that.”

Mr Varcoe and Mr Roder both attend Playford Uniting Church where Mr Roder noticed the 79-year-old accepting charitable food packages.

“I just had a bit of a talk and just tried to figure out what was going on with him and what is his story,” Mr Roder said.

“Straightaway he told me about Maggie and just cried straightaway … he’s really just so emotional about it.”

At the 2018 AFL Grand Final, Collingwood player Travis Varcoe had his sister’s name strapped on his arm. Picture: Mark Stewart

Maggie having fun in the local supermarket before she died after a head clash during the Adelaide Football League grand final in 2018. Supplied by family

When Mr Varcoe, who lives in Davoren Park, brought Mr Roder to Maggie’s unmarked grave he was “bawling his eyes out”.

Maggie died after she clashed heads with a teammate in a tragic incident during the division two women’s Adelaide Football League grand final on August 26, 2018 at Thebarton Oval.

The Angle Vale player walked off the field but later collapsed in the team’s dressing room.

The 27-year-old was placed on life support for four days before her family made the devastating decision to switch it off.

“She was a really beautiful girl, lovely, kind-hearted girl and I loved her dearly,” Mr Varcoe said.

Mr Roder has called on the community to raise funds to pay for a lawn tablet, which has been quoted to cost almost $2700, and new lawn.

“We don’t know how much longer Brian has, I just feel like it would be great (to install a plaque for Maggie),” Mr Roder said.

If you would like to donate to Maggie’s grave marker, you can here.