Toast Hawkins and Varcoe

[Silverado]

.... I give credit where it is due to my two most maligne players, Tom Hawkins and Travis Varcoe take a bow!
I've sunk my boots in on a few occasions (I don't appologise for those) about their lack of intensity and effort, but I'm adult enough to know that if a player plays well then they deserve to get a wrap

Tom looked angry and played accordingly, his best effort to date for mine. He looked strong, ran and chased harder than I think I've ever seen him do, his presence in the forward 50 was fantastic, did his job and then some! Great to see him playing with some purpose and focus.

Travis was everything he needed to show tonight, he ran with the ball not just up and down the paddock. His effort in that marking attempt in the first few minutes was exactly what is required of him, he went hard at it with his eyes on it knowing full well he was probably going to get crunched, I was clapping and cheering at the TV pretty loud when he did that, I reckon that kick started him for a good game and hopefully good finals series. His tackling, although some were broken, was as spirited as I've seen him, he clearly still lacks some strength in his shoulders but his efforts were first class!

All in all these guys did exactly what they need to and credit should be given where it is due, top job lads!

 

[topic97]

Re: It's about time.....

The whole team looked fantastic last night, but as you said these two really extracted the digits and proved they can play the way we all knew they could when it really counts!!

If they keep this up all finals series, then I can live with them being september specialists!!

 

[oozeboss]

Re: It's about time.....

They're both very decent blokes off the field, so it was doubly pleasing to see them getting due kudos. I do like to see good men finishing first.

Ditto Josh Hunt.

 

[Tommy the Cat]

Re: It's about time.....

Varcoe's tap on for Pods soccer goal was all class

 

[Leeds17]

Re: It's about time.....

Hawkins had the best game of his short career I've no doubt, Varcoe was poor at times but also think he did his job okay so that's enough.

Thought West had an influence as well

 

[catters05]

Re: It's about time.....

Was great game by those two.

I love it when trav puts the speed on and arches the back, pity he didnt finish off as it certainly deserved the goal. The tap was fantastic.

Tom was tough, he wanted it. Loved it.

 

[Son_Of_God29]

Re: It's about time.....

Kudos goes to Westy his Ruck Work around the ground cannot be understatedm if he didn't have the influence in the Ruck then it wouldn't have allowed Ottens to be as dangerous as he was.

Hawkins - Wow what a game from Tomahawk if only he had kicked those 2 set shots that he missed we would have been talking about him as almost the most important big man on the night his contested marking was a feature I think he is finally starting to beleive he can be a great forward in the AFL

Josh Hunt played his best game in quite a while and although Buddy got 4 goals on Lonegan there were 3 from the goalsquare and 50m penalties and a freak goal from the boundary all in all i think Tom had a reasonable game though didn't get a lot of help from the Umps

 

[kanyewest]

Re: It's about time.....

Good stuff from you Silverado for fronting up. I'd like to think some of those that kept that Varcoe roast thread going might show their faces as well.

Hawkins played well. But I reckon he's been OK generally so just more confirmation that he is developing the right way. The thing is his game in the 09 GF was pretty good too. Sure, he might not have got a lot of it, but neither did any of the big forwards that day. Also kicked an terrific goal in the last that was very important. At any rate, Hawkins looks like he likes playing finals, and that is all right with me. The good news is, the better he plays, the more respect he will get around the competition. Hopefully he starts to worry a few defenders.

While I didn't think Varcoe was outstanding he clearly was involved in some critical passages of play. I like the fact that he started down back and then seemed to move forward after Menzel went down. Showed he is a team player and took on the role well. Hopefully he continues with the kind of intensity he showed last night because he can be very damaging in that mindset.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Re: It's about time.....

Nice Op.

I've posted elsewhere my appreciation of Hawkins' game tonight.

Regarding Varcoe, despite the bagging he has received this year (much of it deserved) check the highlight clips on the MVP thread and note how often Varcoe appears in them!

Varcoe is a 'spice' player, not a 'staple' player - you can't have a whole meal of chillis!

 

[topic97]

Re: It's about time.....

I cant get over some still criticising Varcoe for being soft in the review thread.
I thought last night was the hardest I have ever seen him hit packs and he played well!!

You just cant please some people!!

 

[The Rusty Clam]

Re: It's about time.....

I don't mean to be negative and I don't think Varcoe is soft, but he had a poor game last night. I mean he only had 7 touches and couldn't stick a tackle all night. I wouldn't be toasting him just yet.

 

[vivien]

Re: It's about time.....

Beautiful game! Love it when Cats play so so well in final series!!

 

[maxy87]

Re: It's about time.....

Varcoe has been pretty much the same all year (bar a couple of down games) and always cops unfair roastings. His pace is incredibly valuable to the team not only for chasing but for spreading and linking up. People say he actively avoids contests but I'd say he is running into space to be a link up. He is NOT Joel Selwood or Jimmy Bartel and probably never will be that sort of player. It doesn't mean he's soft, he's just a different type of player. Just really short sighted, ignorant opinions emerge from people when it comes to Trav. Give the guy a break

 

[Silverado]

Re: It's about time.....

I don't mean to be negative and I don't think Varcoe is soft, but he had a poor game last night. I mean he only had 7 touches and couldn't stick a tackle all night. I wouldn't be toasting him just yet.

More importantly his intent to have an impact on the game and his willingness to at least throw himself into tackles was the most pleasing, almost certainly would have stepped around those contests throughout the year. Possession counts mean bugger all to me, plenty of players rack up cheapies across half back in junk time, doesn't mean they have more of an impact on the game

 

[Cattery]

Re: It's about time.....

Good stuff from you Silverado for fronting up. I'd like to think some of those that kept that Varcoe roast thread going might show their faces as well.

Okay I'm here.

I did only play a "very" small part in that thread though to be honest.

Possession counts mean bugger all to me, plenty of players rack up cheapies across half back in junk time, doesn't mean they have more of an impact on the game

I agree, stats can be pretty meaningless, but seven possessions at 57% efficiency kinda sums his game up pretty accurately.

Thought he did three really good things, and that ain't a lot over 120 minutes of footy, so I'm a little perplexed how a bloke who was in our three worst performed players for the night earns a thread singing his praises.

 

[kanyewest]

Re: It's about time.....

Okay I'm here.

I did only play a "very" small part in that thread though to be honest.

I agree, stats can be pretty meaningless, but seven possessions at 57% efficiency kinda sums his game up pretty accurately.

Thought he did three really good things, and that ain't a lot over 120 minutes of footy, so I'm a little perplexed how a bloke who was in our three worst performed players for the night earns a thread singing his praises.

Haha, good to see you! A small part indeed. If your name isn't Meto or PatrickBateman that's probably going to be the case. I actually kind of agree with your comments. Didn't think he was all that great compared to, say, Hawkins. But as Silverado pointed out, it was more the intensity he showed, which many have criticised in the past.

Maybe I should ask those in the Hawkins roast thread to show their face instead. He did play well and proved a few wrong. I'm looking at you TheYid.

Sick of him.

Don't play him again this year.

Trade him.

Just a little over the top and reactive...

 

[bellpark]

Re: It's about time.....

Good on everyone on this thread for fessing up - we need Tomahawk playing to his potential (and he is getting there), and anyone who doubts Travis Varcoe should simply get the 2009 Grand Final DVD out and watch the last quarter and focus on him - his one percenters, tackles and running were undeniably a key part of that win.

 

[Nasma]

Re: It's about time.....

Good on everyone on this thread for fessing up - we need Tomahawk playing to his potential (and he is getting there), and anyone who doubts Travis Varcoe should simply get the 2009 Grand Final DVD out and watch the last quarter and focus on him - his one percenters, tackles and running were undeniably a key part of that win.

Seriously??? He was not good at all in that match, if you want a good one of his check out the final against the bulldogs.

 

[topic97]

Re: It's about time.....

Good on everyone on this thread for fessing up - we need Tomahawk playing to his potential (and he is getting there), and anyone who doubts Travis Varcoe should simply get the 2009 Grand Final DVD out and watch the last quarter and focus on him - his one percenters, tackles and running were undeniably a key part of that win.

A certain handball to a certain bald norm smith medalist for the sealer in the dying minutes springs to mind.....

Haha, good to see you! A small part indeed. If your name isn't Meto or PatrickBateman that's probably going to be the case. I actually kind of agree with your comments. Didn't think he was all that great compared to, say, Hawkins. But as Silverado pointed out, it was more the intensity he showed, which many have criticised in the past.

Maybe I should ask those in the Hawkins roast thread to show their face instead. He did play well and proved a few wrong. I'm looking at you TheYid.

Thats it! He put his body on the line finally and physically imposed himself on contests - the fact that he only got 7 disposals isn't a true reflection on his game as our leading possession winner only had 27 and our overall disposal count was way down.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Hard to believe people are talking up Varcoe, he was with out doubt in our worst couple of players against the Hawks. Did a couple of nice little things... but his work rate was pathetic. Again, he'll be shown up if we struggle in a tight contest. The odd flashy tap doesn't replace hard work, tackling, pressure etc.. most of which isn't clearly visible to the fans but is just as important, Varcoe fails in these areas most weeks. He's either eye candy or nothing... not good enough.

I'm sorry but 7 possessions and 1 tackle for a 'floating' player is not acceptable and should DEFINITELY not be praised. Not when there's a player named Allen Christensen who's just turned 20 and played 17 great games, half of which would challenge Varcoe's best handful out of 98 played.

Kid needs to improve his work rate and general interest.

Hawkins was great on the other hand! Presented himself as a dangerous entity in the forward line... lets hope he can continue his form throughout the finals. Exciting times!!

 

[meto]

Was going to say, what's all this hype crap about Varcoe again?
In my mind he should be the substitute, he only plays ok when the heats gone and the game opens up in the third quarter. Anytime after that then, OK!

Hawkins on the other hand reminded me of big Wayne Carey, imposing to say the least.
Bout time we sized up with West going fwd as well, the results speak for themselves, and have all year, when we've kicked a bag its been courtesy of a taller structure.
The smalls feed off the talls, its a prooven formula.

 

[David the Cat]

Hard to believe people are talking up Varcoe, he was with out doubt in our worst couple of players against the Hawks. Did a couple of nice little things... but his work rate was pathetic. Again, he'll be shown up if we struggle in a tight contest. The odd flashy tap doesn't replace hard work, tackling, pressure etc.. most of which isn't clearly visible to the fans but is just as important, Varcoe fails in these areas most weeks. He's either eye candy or nothing... not good enough.

I'm sorry but 7 possessions and 1 tackle for a 'floating' player is not acceptable and should DEFINITELY not be praised. Not when there's a player named Allen Christensen who's just turned 20 and played 17 great games, half of which would challenge Varcoe's best handful out of 98 played.

Kid needs to improve his work rate and general interest.

Hawkins was great on the other hand! Presented himself as a dangerous entity in the forward line... lets hope he can continue his form throughout the finals. Exciting times!!

Your a real meat and potatoes man aren't you Patrick Varcoe brings something to the table that no other players do and it takes different types of players to make a champion side....

I thought TV was ok on the weekend...not brilliant but did some good things at various times during the game. A pity he didnt finish of the running goal but his tackle on Puopolo and the subsequent tap on was great stuff....also liked his attack on the ball particularly early. No "squibbing" out there as he has been accused of by detractors in the past.

Serviceable game and will be selected for his 23rd game out of the 24 he could have played this year.

Seems the MC and coach continue to be pleased with the way he plays the role set for him week after week.

As for Tom Hawkins...well he was fantastic on the weekend and clearly has wonderful potential as a KPP up forward. Just behind Otto as our best I thought. How strong is that guy??

Great win and a well earned rest this week before the PF....we are right in this.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Serviceable game and will be selected for his 23rd game out of the 24 he could have played this year.

Seems the MC and coach continue to be pleased with the way he plays the role set for him week after week.

And Coaches / Match Committees never make mistakes do they??

I agree with meto, he should be the sub. 7 touches and 1 tackle in a final is just not good enough, not for a player in his role. Lazy.

I know you're always going to come out and pump the guys tires up, especially with your sponsorship(btw, where does your hard earned go exactly?) and all... but at least see this situation with two eyes. Varcoe has only really made up the numbers in 2011 so far. He's shined bright against the worst opposition, struggled to find the footy against the good sides. I'll argue till the end that the MC's decision not to drop him to find form/intent/guts was a bad move. He's loaded with talent but just doesn't push himself... It's to the detriment of him AND the team. He could be a great player if he lifted his work rate, which is rubbish.

 

[vegemite]

Re: It's about time.....

I cant get over some still criticising Varcoe for being soft in the review thread.
I thought last night was the hardest I have ever seen him hit packs and he played well!!

You just cant please some people!!

People were saying he was soft because he was - you might not pick it up on tv but I counted about 5 times when he didn't go hard and/or pulled out of a contest in the first 15 minutes when we needed to make a statement - his actions resulted in easy Hawk possessions. Now, I am actually a Varcoe supporter - he is a fantastic player and I think hes had an ok season. But 7 possessions, a couple of flashes of brilliance and all of the above spells an ordinary game. I just hope the coaches picked up his early efforts and reminded him what finals footy should be about. Hawkins was fantastic - theres some positivity for you.

 

[you pick one]

Re: It's about time.....

I get so frustrated with the Varcoes and the Riolies of this world. Hence the yellow card.