Collingwood star forward Travis Varcoe is mourning the loss of his sister, after sustaining a serious head injury from a freak collision during a football game in Adelaide.
Maggie Varcoe was playing for the Angle Vale Football Club in the Adelaide Football League's grand final when the tragedy occurred. She accidentally clashed heads with a teammate, but reportedly walked off the ground on her own. It wasn't until she reached the locker rooms when she collapsed and was taken straight to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Varcoe's sister remained in a coma with her family by her bedside. Travis Varcoe flew to Melbourne and spoke to his teammates on Tuesday during a Collingwood training session. He then flew back to Adelaide on Wednesday and joined his family by his sister's bedside. It was confirmed on Thursday night that Maggie Varcoe had passed away. The Collingwood Football Club released a statement on Friday, in support for Varcoe and his family. "The thoughts and love of all at the club are with Travis in this most difficult time," the statement read. "Collingwood will continue to support Travis and his family in any way it can and allow him as much time as he, and they, require to decide upon a return to the club. "We ask that the privacy of the Varcoe family be respected." The Geelong Football Club also released a statement on Friday, in support for their former players Varcoe and his brother Adam. "With both Travis and Adam Varcoe being past players of Geelong, the family has a long association with the club. At this terribly sad time we offer our support and condolences to the family and all those who knew and loved Margaret," the Cats' statement read. Collingwood will face the West Coast Eagles in Perth next week for the second qualifying final, but it is unknown at this stage whether Varcoe will play.
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Collingwood defender Sam Murray is under investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, regarding a post-match drug test which resulted in an elevated reading.
It is believed the drug test took place after Collingwood’s game against Richmond, at the MCG in round 19. The Collingwood Football Club released a statement on Friday morning, confirming that Murray was under investigation. In the statement, chief executive Mark Anderson said that the football club is against the use of drugs, but will continue to support Murray’s welfare. “I would like to reinforce that Collingwood is unequivocally committed to the cause of eliminating drugs in sport,” Anderson said. “We fully support all anti-doping policies and our athletes understand the rules in place. Collingwood has worked hard to develop a culture of professionalism and respect within its teams and we are making great progress. “It would be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ASADA process. “In addition to ensuring we comply fully with the ASADA process, we are also ensuring that we support Sam as a person. Whatever the outcome of the ASADA investigation, the welfare of a young man must remain a priority and we are committed to providing the support that Sam needs. “We are not able to make any further comment until all of the facts are gathered, the investigation completed and a determination reached.” The drug test carried out by ASADA detected an illicit drug. When an illicit drug is detected on game-day, it is graded as a performance enhancing substance and could result in a four-year ban from football. Last Thursday, the Magpies selected Murray in the team that took on Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday, but he withdrew from the team on Friday for “personal reasons”. He did not join the playing group for their main training session on Thursday and has not been at the club during the week. |
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