Travis Varcoe wants to play for Collingwood in qualifying final after tragic death of his sister

TRAVIS Varcoe will play in Collingwood’s first final against West Coast two weeks after the tragic death of his sister in a football game.

Travis Varcoe of the Magpies.

Travis Varcoe will play in Collingwood’s final against West Coast less than two weeks after the tragic passing of his sister in a football game.

It is understood Varcoe has told the Pies he wants to play in the qualifying final despite captain Scott Pendlebury saying today he was unsure whether he would take the field.

Varcoe’s sister Maggie died in a freak accident when the 27-year-old suffered a head injury in an Adelaide Football League women’s grand final.

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Her funeral is expected to be held this week but the Collingwood forward will be in Perth in time for a Friday night training session at Perth Stadium ahead of the clash with West Coast the following night.

Pendlebury has himself been cleared to play despite a hospital visit with a viral problem last week that at one stage hospitalised him for more tests.

He would not have played if the final was last weekend, but declared himself right to play at the Holden Centre today.

Travis Varcoe has spent time with his family in South Australia.

The Pies captain said that the players were as yet unaware of Varcoe’s intentions.

“We spoke about it as group. Just rallying around Trav and giving him the support he needs.

If he plays this weekend that’s fantastic. If he doesn’t we understand why. As a playing group we are tight and understand what he is going through and we are all here for Trav and his family,” Pendlebury said.

“I spoke to a couple of players. Everyone is asking the same question. Trav has been around long enough now that if he wants to play no doubt he will and if he thinks he needs some time then we fully understand that and support him whichever way he goes.

“We are just letting him know we are here for him. We all wrap our arms around him, we love the bloke.”

Pendlebury said he wasn’t sure if Adam Treloar would be fit to play 11 weeks after hamstring surgery, but he is expected to be in the selection mix after impressive training form.

“I don’t know if he will play or not play. Once the medical guys make that decision whichever way it is, if he’s back he’s a huge boost for us so my personal preference would be he plays but that is just me.”

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