Travis Varcoe has trained with and addressed Collingwood teammates after a difficult few days. COLLINGWOOD star Travis Varcoe has returned to Melbourne and addressed then trained with Magpies teammates after three of the most difficult days of his family’s life. Varcoe’s sister is fighting for her life in an Adelaide hospital after a freak on-field accident during a local football grand final on the weekend. She was playing for local club Angle Vale in an Adelaide Footy League grand final at Thebarton Oval on Sunday when she was involved in an accidental on-field collision, copping a serious knock to the head. Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. T & Cs apply. SIGN UP NOW While she was able to walk from the field in a conscious state, she later collapsed in the changerooms and was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she remains in a coma. While family members remain by her bedside, Pies midfielder Varcoe returned to Melbourne on Wednesday after visiting his sister to attend a Magpies training session. Travis Varcoe addressed teammates in the middle of the Holden Centre. Source: FOX SPORTS Magpies midfielder Steele Sidebottom described the situation as “terrible”, but suggested Varcoe was finding solace in his teammates. “Obviously it’s a very difficult time for Trav and his family,” Sidebottom said. “He spoke about how he’s got his family, his two kids and wife Kim as well. He also mentioned he also feels comfortable and wants to be around his other family at the footy club. “As much as we can wherever Trav thinks he needs to be — at the club or with his family — we will support him. We’ll get around Trav however we can.” Coach Nathan Buckley echoed Sidebottom’s sentiments, adding Varcoe was struggling with the tragedy being in the public eye. “We’ll support Trav as much as we possibly can,” Buckley said. “He’s a very private person and he would have rather dealt with this privately. The fact that it’s in the public forum now is no longer in his control. “But we’ll support him as much as we can.” Collingwood youngster Max Lynch consoles Travis Varcoe. Source: FOX SPORTS Magpies teammate Brayden Maynard consoled Varcoe as he walked out onto the Holden Centre turf on Wednesday morning. Varcoe then called the Collingwood playing group together and addressed them for nearly two minutes in the middle of the training oval. After he finished speaking, he received multiple pats on the back from teammates before embarking on a lap of the ground. Travis Varcoe completed most of Wednesday's training session. Source: FOX SPORTS Varcoe then trained but left the track 10 minutes before the rest of the playing group. Maggie Varcoe’s club, Angle Vale, said its “love and prayers go out to the Varcoe family”. “Maggie was injured in an on-field accident during our women’s grand final on Sunday afternoon,” the club said in a statement on Facebook. “Her family is by her side as she continues her fight … Maggie is a much loved member of our club and we will be here to support her and the family in anyway we can.” The Magpies are preparing for their qualifying final clash against the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Saturday September 8.<doc-sep>Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice An Aussie Rules player has died after being injured in a collision with one of her own team-mates on the pitch. Maggie Varcoe, the sister of Collingwood midfielder Travis Varcoe, was playing in a grand final for Angle Vale Football Club in the South Australian Women's Football League when the incident happened on Sunday. A Go Fund Me Page was set up after the horror incident, hoping to support the 27-year-old's long-term partner Josh. Maggie died in hospital on Thursday night surrounded by her family, including her brother Travis, Channel 7 has reported. Tributes have poured in with one fan writing: "My heart breaks for Travis Varcoe and his family tonight after the passing of his sister Margaret. "Life can be so incredibly cruel. My thoughts and prayers are with the Varcoe family right now." (Image: Getty Images AsiaPac) The Angle Vale Football Club said in a statement before her death: "Maggie was injured in an on-field accident during our women's grand final on Sunday afternoon. "Her family is by her side as she continues her fight and we ask can you please respect their privacy. "Maggie is a much-loved member of our club and we will be here to support her and the family in any way we can." Another well-wisher wrote: "A horrid day today. RIP Maggie Varcoe. Thoughts with her family and the North Adelaide and Angle Vale Football Clubs." (Image: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan) Jay Shastri added: Life is defined by people we love and our love for them. For mine Collingwood FC. We grieve for the passing of a family member. Heartfelt condolences to the Varcoe family. Thoughts and prayers with you and the family we are forever." Brother Travis signed for Collingwood after playing for Geelong. The midfielder, 30, has also represented Australia. He was 15th overall pick in the 2005 National Draft and addressed his team-mates about the incident at training on Wednesday. "He feels comfortable (at the club) and wants to be around his other family and that's us at the footy club," Collingwood vice-captain Steele Sidebottom said at the time. "It's a really difficult time for Trav and his family. Wherever Trav thinks he needs to be, we'll support him."<doc-sep>The sister of Collingwood Magpies star Travis Varcoe has died in hospital surrounded by her family days after a freak accident while playing suburban football. Margaret Varcoe, 27, was playing for Adelaide's Angle Vale Football Club in the grand final on Sunday when she endured a head-on collision with two other players. It's understood she accidentally clashed with another teammate and a member of the opposition during the match at Mount Lofty at Thebarton Oval on Sunday. Collingwood star Travis Varcoe's (left) sister Margaret (right) has died in hospital surrounded by her family days after a freak accident while playing football Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire dedicated a segment on Thursday night's Footy Show to pay tribute to the beloved footy player. 'We report the tragic death of Margaret Varcoe,' he said. 'Unfortunately, earlier tonight she passed away. Her family, including Trav were by her side. 'Trav, all I can say on behalf of the football world, and certainly all your friends at the Collingwood Football Club, is mate we stand side by side with you and your family and everybody at the Angle Vale Football Club in Adelaide. 'We extend our deepest sympathy and we remember Margaret Varoce tonight.' Margaret (centre, with brother Travis, right) was playing for Adelaide's Angle Vale Football Club in the grand final on Sunday when she endured a head-on collision Despite being initially conscious, Varcoe collapsed in the change room a short time later, before she was rushed to the Royal Adelaide hospital by ambulance, The Herald Sun reported. Collingwood midfielder Travis Varcoe hurried back home to Adelaide to be by his sister's side, where his family kept a bedside vigil until her death on Thursday. While Angle Vale officials are yet to comment on the incident, Mount Lofty secretary Johanna Paddick told The Advertiser that the ordeal was extremely traumatic. Ms Paddick said despite being on the other side of the field, witnessing the terrible incident was 'very distressing' for everyone involved. She added that the game needed to be stopped for about ten minutes while emergency services tended to the woman. 'It's just a terrible injury and both teams' runners helped get her off the ground,' she said. According to the publication, the other Angle Vale player who collided with Varcoe also suffered a fractured cheekbone.<doc-sep>
The Collingwood Magpies have shown their class with a heartfelt embrace of teammate Travis Varcoe prior to training. Travis returned to Melbourne on Wednesday to join the Pies after visiting his sister who is fighting for her life in an Adelaide hospital. Before a ball had even been kicked, Varcoe reportedly addressed the team in a huddle and then was embraced by the playing group. Collingwood players embrace Travis Varcoe as he returns to training this morning. His sister Maggie Varcoe is fighting for life in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after an on-field collision in a women's league grand final on Sunday. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/neAGIhTeux — Ben Avery (@benavery9) August 29, 2018 ❤️ Side by Side ❤️ After three tough days for his family, Collingwood Football Club players got around Travis Varcoe. — Side By Side (@SideBySide_Pies) August 29, 2018 The 27-year-old is in a critical condition after being involved in a freak footy accident on the weekend. Tributes have since flowed for Varcoe’s sister who suffered a serious head injury whilst playing in an her football league women’s grand final. Emotional messages of support and goodwill have flooded social media. Sending prayers & best wishes to Margaret, Travis & the whole Varcoe family. 🙏❤️⚫️⚪️ — #PiesNation (@PiesNation) August 28, 2018 . @CollingwoodFC fans get around Travis Varcoe please, his sister is in hospital fighting for her life after a head hit in a footy match last weekend. #sidebyside — Damian Fasciani (@Damian_fasciani) August 28, 2018 I am sad to hear the news about Travis Varcoe’s sister. I am hoping and praying that everything turns out fine. The Magpie Army will be thinking of you and your family Trav! @CollingwoodFC 🖤🖤 #sidebyside — Jake Bozinovski 🐝⚫️⚪️ (@TheRealBozza1) August 28, 2018 Bloody tragic news for the Varcoe family. What a thing to happen. Hope she pulls through ok. 🙏🏻 #sidebyside — Karen ✍🏼 (@kafla56) August 28, 2018 She remains in a coma at the Royal Adelaide Hospital after being struck in the head in what her club, Angle Vale, says was an accidental on-field collision. Story continues Maggie reportedly walked off the ground after the on-field collision but collapsed in the changerooms before being taken by ambulance to hospital. Her club, Angle Vale, said its “love and prayers go out to the Varcoe family”. “… was injured in an on-field accident during our women’s grand final on Sunday afternoon,” the club said in a statement on Facebook. “Her family is by her side as she continues her fight … is a much loved member of our club and we will be here to support her and the family in anyway we can.” Her brother Travis, a key member of Collingwood’s side to play West Coast in an AFL qualifying final on September 8, has returned to Melbourne after visiting her, a Collingwood spokesman said. Travis Varcoe embraced by Collingwood teammates at training. Pic: @benavery9/Twitter “It was an unfortunate accident in a football match at the weekend,” Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh told Macquarie Sports Radio. “His sister suffered an injury and right now she’s in a pretty grave condition. “Our thoughts are with Trav and his family, and we’re hoping she pulls through.” “He went back to Adelaide to be by his sister’s side and other family members, so he’s coming back to Melbourne sometime today (Wednesday) and we’ll just see how that progresses,” Walsh said. It is unclear at this stage if Travis will take the field this weekend. with AAP.