Preview AFL NAB Cup Round 2 - Geelong v Adelaide, Simonds Stadium, 2:40PM Saturday 2 March

[Footy Smarts]

You mean the one where Mitch Duncan clears the ball, runs the ground, and gets there before the ball arrives
and knocks it away from a defender to give Varcoe a goal, a great finish by Varcoe but check out the effort of a very young Mitch Duncan!

Anyhow lets hope he can bring something to the table.

This is why your opinion of Varcoe is never taken seriously.

You really look at that piece of play and think Duncan's the one who deserves credit? Duncan's gut running was great but look at what they actually each did:

Duncan: Gathered the handball from Mackie, puts a pretty average kick over Johnson's head, runs his arse off to provide a target in the forward line and gives a good contest.

I love the endeavour and the smart running. The kick could've been far better.

Varcoe: Shows great courage to run back with the flight in to oncoming traffic, keeps his feet in the contest (Toovey didn't), attacks the pill to keep Sidebottom off it, gut runs his arse off, toe pokes it in to space to our advantage, continues gut running to provide an option, roves the pack with beautiful hands and finishes superbly on his non-preferred while under pressure.

Duncan's effort was very good. Varcoe's should go down as one of the great goals in grand final history.

 

[meto]

This is why your opinion of Varcoe is never taken seriously.

You really look at that piece of play and think Duncan's the one who deserves credit? Duncan's gut running was great but look at what they actually each did:

Duncan: Gathered the handball from Mackie, puts a pretty average kick over Johnson's head, runs his arse off to provide a target in the forward line and gives a good contest.

I love the endeavour and the smart running. The kick could've been far better.

Varcoe: Shows great courage to run back with the flight in to oncoming traffic, keeps his feet in the contest (Toovey didn't), attacks the pill to keep Sidebottom off it, gut runs his arse off, toe pokes it in to space to our advantage, continues gut running to provide an option, roves the pack with beautiful hands and finishes superbly on his non-preferred while under pressure.

Duncan's effort was very good. Varcoe's should go down as one of the great goals in grand final history.

The kick could've been 'FAR BETTER', are you for real!!!

Since then how many times has the boy Duncan stood up compared to Varcoes' goal and the Buddy incident?

After running thr ground Duncan made the contest with Harry 'O' which created the spill for Varcoe to then gather and finish, but don't ignore Mitch in what happened.

 

[FredLeDeux]

That goal can be summed up pretty simply.
No Varcoe, no goal.
No Duncan, no goal.
It was the Great Varcoe-Duncan Goal.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

The kick could've been 'FAR BETTER', are you for real!!!

Since then how many times has the boy Duncan stood up compared to Varcoes' goal and the Buddy incident?

This is confused thinking. The second sentence has nothing to do with the first.

 

[catswhiskers]

The kick could've been 'FAR BETTER', are you for real!!!

OH well I guess i will just have to watch that grand final again.

Any excuse will do.

 

[Partridge]

Incredible the debate on Varcoe from some.

Go get yourself a copy of the last quarter of the GF in 11; at about the 10 min mark, watch Varcoe back into traffic, effect a spoil, gather possession and then run the length of the ground to slot in a very crucial goal on his left foot.

Then come back in here and start spouting criticism with a straight face

FFS, Varcoe is a major boost coming into this year.

He is. But the argument isn't pure black and white. Received absolutely justified praise for one superb piece of play doesn't mean he can't be criticised for poor ones. For a passage like that where his involvement was brilliant (or the end to end goal against Hawthorn in early 2011), there's also the Gabba in 2011 where he blatantly backed out of a contest when the ball was on the line and he could have won it.

Like every other player he should be praised for the good ones and flaws pointed out for the bad ones. There's nothing wrong with that.

Say it again, he's missed that much footy he just needs probably another 2-3 games before you expect anything. Same with Vardy.

 

[meto]

That goal can be summed up pretty simply.
No Varcoe, no goal.
No Duncan, no goal.
It was the Great Varcoe-Duncan Goal.

Exactly, in total agreement Fred, but the difference is Varcoe has established a career and credibility on this goal as being all his and of course the Buddy blindside.

Mitch does similar stuff like that every week, that's why I'm saying yes these little cameos are nice to reflect upon, but they hardly constitute a career or season of football for that matter.

He needs to get the 20 possessions a game, not the 10-12 that's his usual, that's why he's yet to prove himself as a reliable senior to date IMO.

 

[maxy87]

If Trav starts on a wing next week Id say around 20 disposals would be a very good result for him and the team. It all depends where he plays though. Half back or half forward may be more likely due to time out of the game and thus his numbers will be lower. That said, it's the quality, not the quantity I am more worried about. Also, the stuff Trav does when not in possession is just as important to the team but Im not going to waste any more time on this point

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

He needs to get the 20 possessions a game, not the 10-12 that's his usual, that's why he's yet to prove himself as a reliable senior to date IMO.

He averaged 16 in 2010 & 2011, which isn't that bad out of the forward line, would expect him to get more of it playing a midfield or running HB role.

 

[footscore]

It was the Great Varcoe-Duncan Goal.

Varcan
And we'll be seeing a bit of Horluncan make a great duo in years to come just as Barcorwood have done in previous years.

 

[sarah.13]

Exactly, in total agreement Fred, but the difference is Varcoe has established a career and credibility on this goal as being all his and of course the Buddy blindside.

Mitch does similar stuff like that every week, that's why I'm saying yes these little cameos are nice to reflect upon, but they hardly constitute a career or season of football for that matter.

He needs to get the 20 possessions a game, not the 10-12 that's his usual, that's why he's yet to prove himself as a reliable senior to date IMO.

In 2010 and 2011 Varcoe averaged 16 possesions in both years and kicked 31 goals in both years.
We all know your thoughts on Varcoe but at least quote the correct stats to argue your case.

 

[JUBJUB]

Varcan

Duncoe
Wait,that sounds unco-ordinated

 

[footscore]

Duncoe
Wait,that sounds unco-ordinated

down forward we got the Podkins but across half back it gets interesting...Gutright will likely push for a 5th AA while Taygan will provide that rock solid defense we've become accustom too

 

[FredLeDeux]

Time for all you children to stop talking and go to sleep now.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Only when his inclusion prevents the selection of others more deserving! You've highlighted weaknesses in the others, isn't it fair that I do the same?

Blicavs not quick?
Have you ever seen a national class middle distance runner just doing run throughs, blooody fast!

You better believe it , he is very fecking quick - at one stage he and Varcoe ran a very fast ~ 60 metres together, and Blicavs was with him stride for stride ( correction 3 of Varcoes for every 2 of Blicavs)
What a potential weapon he could be as his endurance is completely off the scale , particularly when compare to players of his height.
Really hope he plays a lot of NAB so we can gauge him over a long time period .

 

[sarah.13]

You better believe it , he is very fecking quick - at one stage he and Varcoe ran a very fast ~ 60 metres together, and Blicavs was with him stride for stride ( correction 3 of Varcoes for every 2 of Blicavs)
What a potential weapon he could be as his endurance is completely off the scale , particularly when compare to players of his height.
Really hope he plays a lot of NAB so we can gauge him over a long time period .

Agree, the 15 minutes that he played were very promising, great leap, threw himself into the packs and his foot skills seemed adequate. very raw and slightly built but has plenty of time to develop.
For us oldies reminds me of ocar stephens from the 70's

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Exactly, in total agreement Fred, but the difference is Varcoe has established a career and credibility on this goal as being all his and of course the Buddy blindside.

Mitch does similar stuff like that every week, that's why I'm saying yes these little cameos are nice to reflect upon, but they hardly constitute a career or season of football for that matter.

He needs to get the 20 possessions a game, not the 10-12 that's his usual, that's why he's yet to prove himself as a reliable senior to date IMO.

Love both these guys as they have sublime talent and skills , huge part of our future.
Varcoe looked to have gained considerable size to me and seemed harder to shift off the line than I recall , thought he was more involved as well - maybe he missed playing last season. All that is missing is consistency IMHO and I rate him as one of our barometers - if he gets 18+ touches I reckon we can expect to win as he is pure quality and can get it where it causes severe damage to the opposition.
I agree Duncan is now a hard nut and getting close to the complete package albeit needing a little more consistency - as do most young players.
On the subject of being a hard nut he now has the body to be that and I felt he also shirked some contests early in his career , the same criticism being levelled at Varcs.

At the end of the day both are trying their guts out for the mighty Blue and White and long may they continue to do that.

 

[meto]

You better believe it , he is very fecking quick - at one stage he and Varcoe ran a very fast ~ 60 metres together, and Blicavs was with him stride for stride ( correction 3 of Varcoes for every 2 of Blicavs)
What a potential weapon he could be as his endurance is completely off the scale , particularly when compare to players of his height.
Really hope he plays a lot of NAB so we can gauge him over a long time period .

Speed, I'd say when compared to players of any height, endurance comparison is daylight!

Farmer2Goggin, I agree with that last sentence, that's all that really matters.

 

[winty]

You better believe it , he is very fecking quick - at one stage he and Varcoe ran a very fast ~ 60 metres together, and Blicavs was with him stride for stride ( correction 3 of Varcoes for every 2 of Blicavs)
What a potential weapon he could be as his endurance is completely off the scale , particularly when compare to players of his height.
Really hope he plays a lot of NAB so we can gauge him over a long time period .

Reading all that, he sounds like he has similar attributes to a Buddy or Richo. If he even turns out to be half the player those two are, we'll be laughing since we got him as a "B" rookie.

 

[FredLeDeux]

You better believe it , he is very fecking quick - at one stage he and Varcoe ran a very fast ~ 60 metres together, and Blicavs was with him stride for stride ( correction 3 of Varcoes for every 2 of Blicavs)
What a potential weapon he could be as his endurance is completely off the scale , particularly when compare to players of his height.
Really hope he plays a lot of NAB so we can gauge him over a long time period .

Blicavs mentioned Stringer as the only one who gives him trouble for pace.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Reading all that, he sounds like he has similar attributes to a Buddy or Richo. If he even turns out to be half the player those two are, we'll be laughing since we got him as a "B" rookie.

I think that's the right comparison. Nick Riewoldt is the other comparison in terms of strengths - just runs opponents off their feet , Blicavs could do that in a heartbeat. Also has a very impressive leap.......

 

[cynical]

lol 4 pages worth of Meto trolling Varcoe

i'd like to see Cowan get a game I don't know if he is injured or what but he is a bit of a forgotten man.

good news afl is bringing back the 6 man bench for the rest of the nab cup, gives the kids a bit more opportunity which is the whole point of the nab cup anyway

 

[FredLeDeux]

lol 4 pages worth of Meto trolling Varcoe

i'd like to see Cowan get a game I don't know if he is injured or what but he is a bit of a forgotten man.

good news afl is bringing back the 6 man bench for the rest of the nab cup, gives the kids a bit more opportunity which is the whole point of the nab cup anyway

In the pre-NAB1 Presser, as I recall, when questioned Scott just said Cowan wasn't going, but didn't say he was injured, perhaps he just has a bit of fitness to catch up on yet.
Hopefully that's all.
The 6-man bench is good. They may be able to scrape Horlin-Smith in now.

 

[meto]

Blicavs mentioned Stringer as the only one who gives him trouble for pace.

He said general running, Varcs and Murdoch for example might go for short bursts between huffing and puffing, but obviously Jesse just keeps right on going. Difference is with this blokes is 5 secs later they're off at the same speed right through the match.
Interesting prospect that Stringer along with Blicavs.

Good name Cynical! ,,,,,,,,,,yes I'd like to see Cowan now as well.

 

[FredLeDeux]

He said general running, Varcs and Murdoch for example might go for short bursts between huffing and puffing, but obviously Jesse just keeps right on going.
He's a midfield machine.

Good name Cynical! ,,,,,,,,,,yes I'd like to see Cowan now as well.

You'd reckon Motlop as well.