Travis Varcoe faces tense wait to find out if he’s playing in qualifying final against Geelong

With Jaidyn Stephenson, Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom all set to return against Geelong, Travis Varcoe is one Magpie bracing for finals heartbreak.

Dual premiership player Travis Varcoe concedes he could be one of the Magpies left “devastated” by selection with three Collingwood stars set to return in Friday night’s qualifying final against Geelong.

Coach Nathan Buckley is expected to personally tell his players today whether they will be lining up in the MCG blockbuster or sitting in the stands.

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Varcoe, 31, falls out of contract but remains desperate to play on in 2020, even if that means finding a third club.

The veteran has featured in four grand finals — winning premierships in 2009 and 2011 with Geelong — and played in Collingwood’s last six games of the home-and-away season.

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But with Jaidyn Stephenson (suspension), Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and Steele Sidebottom (testicle) all set to face the Cats, there are some Magpies bracing for September heartbreak.

“The things you can’t control you don’t lose too much sleep over, and for anyone in this position you can only go out and train well,” Varcoe told the Herald Sun at yesterday’s Kayo AFL Finals launch.

“It’s a challenging one for the coaches. They’ll work it out in due course, but it’s a good spot for the club to be in.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Travis Varcoe of the Magpies handpasses the ball during the round 23 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“It makes it a little bit uneasy and edgy for some of the boys, myself included, but in the grand scheme of things that’s where you want your club to be.

“There are going to be some devastated guys no matter what. It’s just as hard on us players as it is for (Buckley), so I don’t envy him one bit.”

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On his decorated career, which currently stands at 221 games, Varcoe said: “It could be over in four weeks, it could be a year away — who knows”.

Varcoe joked he would remind Buckley that he kicked the first goals of both the 2009 and 2019 grand finals “so he’s aware of what he’ll get”.

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The game-breaker was dropped three times this season but remains convinced he could play on.

“I feel like my body is strong enough and is running really well. I’ve got the capabilities to play on, where that’ll be who knows,” Varcoe said.

“I’m not naive, your age dictates a little bit — but it’s just a number, and, as long as the body feels great and you’re enjoying it, they’re two really key things to give you confidence.

“I still enjoy it. I’ll back myself in until one of those two things gives.”

Varcoe said he would strive to “get the basics right” if he earns selection against Geelong.