Travis Varcoe has reflected on his time with Geelong and the people that helped to shape his career, ahead of his induction into the Cats Hall of Fame on June 22.
Varcoe spent eight seasons with Geelong from 2007 to 2014, becoming a two time premiership player during his 138 game career in the Hoops.
The speedy forward is well remembered by Cats fans for his performance in the 2011 Grand Final (21 disposals & 3 goals), where he booted the first two goals of the game, with the first coming inside the opening 11 seconds of the match.
The Cats great joined the K rock Football coverage on Sunday and spoke about the players in that famous Geelong team who helped him to develop and grow as a footballer.
"As a young Aboriginal man coming into Geelong, having Mathew Stokes here as that father figure who took me under his wing, he really looked after me on a cultural level and I will be forever indebted to him,” Varcoe said.
“Watching Cameron Ling go into legend status, that will be something that will hold a really special place in my heart.
“He was one that gave me the hard love when I needed it, but then wrapped his arms around me when I needed that.
“Cam Mooney was a really good person to follow, Paul Chapman for me was my favourite person to run out alongside.
Steve Johnson as well, those guys made my job a lot easier in terms of their leadership and feedback.”
Throughout his career, Varcoe and the Cats had an incredible 83% win rate, losing only four times in 47 games at Kardinia Park.
Varcoe went on to play 230 games in his AFL career, spending six seasons at Collingwood after crossing over via trade at the end of the 2014 season.
Varcoe told K rock Football that while the players around him helped his development, Cats coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson might have had the most profound impact on his AFL career.
"Nobody had a greater impact on me than Bomber Thompson,” Varcoe said.
“I take my hat off to the boys with all they did for me, but Bomber taught me the right way to play the game.
“He gave me the right tools to be able to progress my game, and as a person he was amazing."
Travis Varcoe will be inducted into the Geelong Football Club Hall of Fame on June 22, alongside Chris Scott and Harry Taylor while Cameron Ling will be elevated to Legend status.
Tickets to the 2024 Geelong Cats Hall of Fame Dinner are now on sale. Click here for more information or to purchase your ticket.
