Travis Varcoe’s father tells him to play Saturday’s grand final for his late sister Maggie as coaches and teammates laud the Collingwood star’s courage
BRIAN Varcoe won’t be at the MCG on Saturday. But he has left his son Travis some emotional words of inspiration ahead of his third grand final as the Collingwood star’s coaches and teammates laud his courage just weeks after his sister’s tragic passing.
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TRAVIS Varcoe’s father has told him to “play for Maggie” in Saturday’s AFL grand final as the midfielder used a speech his sister wrote to inspire his Collingwood teammates.
The SA-raised Varcoe at training on Thursday shared a message which Margaret had written to her own teammates before the ill-fated women’s league grand final last month which ultimately claimed her life.
“This is our last training session together to get ready for the game,” Varcoe told his teammates.
“Couldn’t have scripted it any better and it’s all about training. The way we train is the way we play, so I just wanted to share that with you.
“You guys have been massive for me. And this is the reason I want to train really well.”
Margaret Varcoe died in hospital last month after sustaining a head injury while playing for Angle Vale in the Adelaide Football League’s division two grand final.
Travis Varcoe will line up against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday attempting to win his third AFL premiership.
His father won’t be at the game “because I have trouble with my eyes” but spoke to Travis earlier this week
“I just said ‘play for Maggie, play for her’,” Brian told The Advertiser.
“The conversation didn’t go too long but he’s coping well, he’s got a lovely little girl (three year old daughter) and he said ‘OK Dad’, and he’ll focus on the game.
“Maggie loved him dearly, she idolised Trav and she went over to Melbourne for his 200th game (in Round 22).
“So hopefully Trav plays a good game.”
Saturday will be the latest chapter in Varcoe’s incredible football journey from Central District in Adelaide’s northern suburbs to the biggest stage of all. Since being drafted with Pick No.15 in 2005 he has played in 204 games, 20 finals and three grand finals for two premierships — both with Geelong in 2009 and 2011.
Former teammate Mathew Stokes arrived at Geelong at the same time as Varcoe in 2005 and they quickly became friends.
“But it was like we were from two different worlds, he was 17 from Central District and I was 21 and had grown up in Darwin,” Stokes said.
“I was quite comfortable in myself but he was a shy kid and he had issues staying awake in meetings, he used to fall asleep when Bomber (Mark Thompson) used to talk.
“I think we were the only two indigenous boys at the club at that time so we used to kick about together and it was really good to be able to support him early on because there was a fair bit of pressure wearing the number five (Gary Ablett’s old number) and being a high draft pick.
“But he brought something different to the club and always stayed true to himself.
“He’s very similar to Shaun Burgoyne in a lot of ways in that he doesn’t get a heap of the footy or do the really amazing things all the time but he always does the right things at the right time.
“In high pressure situations like grand finals he really shows his worth. In finals you just need everyone to play their role and he does that and that’s why his teammates at Geelong and Collingwood love him so much.”
The pair played in two premierships together and remain good friends. Stokes was in Adelaide three weeks ago for Maggie’s funeral and says he has marvelled at Varcoe’s inner strength this September.
“I’ll be watching the grand final at home and barracking for Collingwood because of Travy and Sando (Brenton Sanderson),” Stokes said.
“Watching him (Varcoe) this finals campaign has been really inspiring to be honest, to go through what he has and still produce (in AFL finals) it’s a credit to him and his support network.
“Hopefully he plays well on the weekend and with Maggie watching down he can get another premiership because he deserves it.”
Varcoe’s premiership captain at Geelong Cameron Ling described him as a “quality bloke and quality teammate who seems to love the big moments”.
“And he executes nine times out of 10,” Ling said.
“I can still remember the start of the 2011 granny when he kicked the first two goals but that last goal (in the fourth quarter) and I know I’m biased but that was one of the greatest grand final goals ever.
“He won possession up the other end of the ground, was involved in the whole passage of play and still had the class and composure to finish on his left foot.
“There’s a big part of me that wonders why he’s not still at Geelong but I’m absolutely rapt for him, and I feel so great for him that he has another shot at it especially after all his family are going through.”
Sanderson worked with Varcoe as an assistant coach at Geelong and they’ve been reunited at Collingwood and says he is in awe of the 30-year-old.
“Travis has been through so much this year, the emotions of playing in his 200th game, overcoming injuries, getting back in shape, forcing his way back into the side and losing his sister was a tragedy in which we tried to support him as best we could,” Sanderson said.
“He’s playing some unbelievable footy on the back of what he’s had to endure.
“I don’t know how he’s doing it to be honest. I don’t know how anyone would be able to handle it and he’s been outstanding.
“He quietly goes about his business, he’s a classic role player, not high possession but his defensive qualities are right up there and when he gets the footy he can be really dangerous as well.
“He’s experienced, been to grand final day a couple of times before so it’s a great opportunity for him to provide some leadership for the younger players well.”
Life is brutal sometimes. You meet some amazing people in this industry & share/feel their grief when tragedy strikes. Love & prayers tonight to the Varcoe’s & Sloane’s. My family are all in tears tonight as I imagine many more are x
— Brenton Sanderson (@SandoBrent) August 30, 2018
Sanderson couldn’t say whether Varcoe was playing with added motivation this September but he hopes the team can win for him and the club this weekend.
“It’s something you’d have to ask him, but quietly he would be really hopeful he could finish the year off with a win and he’s going to be a pretty emotional guy after the game no matter what the result,” Sanderson said.
“He’s been through a lot and we’ll continue to support him and hopefully we can finish the game off with a win for all of Collingwood and Travis.”
Varcoe will have plenty of support in Adelaide on the weekend including from his former coach at Central District, Robert Polito.
Polito coached Varcoe in the Dogs’ under-17 premiership in 2004 but admits he will be somewhat torn on grand final day.
“I was lucky enough to coach Shannon Hurn for a brief period as well so I’m a bit torn because I know both lads really well and one of them will be disappointed on Saturday,” Polito said.
“But I’ve been cheering for Trav in the finals so far. Against West Coast when he chased that bloke down in the middle of the ground the memories came flooding back — that was the Travis Varcoe I coached in 2004.
“When people ask me what was the best thing about him, obviously he always had good foot skills but his defensive pursuit and ability to chase blokes down and tackle them was what set him apart.”
TRAVIS VARCOE GOT HIM! 🔥#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/BG9JIxoT8q
— AFL (@AFL) September 8, 2018
Polito now has a 15-year-old son who has been invited to train with Central District and he uses Varcoe’s story to inspire him to work hard for his goals.
“Trav came and did a pre-season with us in 2003 and at the end said he just wanted to go back and play with Smithfield and that was fine,” Polito said.
“But the next year he came back and was super-fit, he was like a different person.
“He was scrawny and raw but very talented and you’ve obviously seen what he’s gone on to achieve.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Travis Varcoe’s father tells him to play Saturday’s grand final for his late sister Maggie as coaches and teammates laud the Collingwood star’s courage
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