DARREN MONCRIEFF
Wednesday 27 June 2012
TRAVIS VARCOE'S two stunning goals in the opening minutes of last year's AFL Grand Final are ingrained in the memory of all who follow football. A premiership medal later that afternoon the crowning achievement of what was for him a stellar season for Geelong.
But the speedy Cat is in a race against time to even play again this season after undergoing more foot surgery this week.
Varcoe (pictured) broke down during the pre-season with stress fractures in his foot. He underwent surgery but continuing soreness during his rehabilitation has meant a return to the operating table.
He has yet to play a game this season but Cats coach Chris Scott remained upbeat about his star forward making a return.
"We're a lot more positive than that and so is the surgeon," Scott said last week of Varcoe.
"He just couldn't make that last step. I guess the positive of this procedure is that the medical staff and the experts think this will mean that he can make that final step."
Scott is tipping Varcoe could make a return to the track in about a month's time.
"In terms of how good he's going to be when it really counts, that's just so far away and such an unknown that I won't comment any further on that," Scott said.
Varcoe's 2011 season was one out of the box.
The 24-year-old played his 100th game for the Cats in the grand final against Collingwood.
Last year, he played 24 out of a possible 27 games. He averaged 16 possessions per game in a team lined with all-star quality. He kicked 31 goals as a roving half-forward and his opening salvos in last year's season decider set the standard for what was an absorbing contest.
Last Modified on 27/06/2012 13:13