Collingwood will give veteran Travis Varcoe their full support as he mourns the death of his sister four days after she sustained a head injury during a football game.
Margaret Varcoe, 27, was admitted to hospital on Sunday after she accidentally clashed heads with a teammate while playing for Angle Vale Football Club in an Adelaide Football League women’s grand final.
Margaret reportedly walked off the ground after the on-field collision but collapsed in the changerooms and was in a coma at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before dying on Thursday.
Varcoe returned to Melbourne and addressed his teammates on Tuesday before flying back to Adelaide late on Wednesday to keep vigil by Margaret’s bedside.
“Collingwood extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Travis Varcoe following the tragic passing of his sister, Margaret,” the Magpies said in a statement on Friday.
“The thoughts and love of all at the club are with Travis in this most difficult time.
“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.”
News of Margaret’s death was confirmed in a Facebook post by Angle Vale on Thursday evening.
“Maggie you were a much loved member of our women’s team who all idolised you both on and off the field,” it read.
“Your infectious smile and kind nature will be truly missed around the club you chose to call home.
“We will do whatever we can to support the Varcoe family and the AVFC family who are all deeply saddened by this tragedy.”
Adelaide Football League CEO John Kernahan said he was shocked by the news.
“Like everyone in the football community, we are devastated at the tragic loss of Margaret following what appears to have been a freak accident on Sunday,” Kernahan told News Corp.
“Margaret received the best medical attention, both at the ground and at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and our thanks go to all the medical professionals who did so much for her.”
Collingwood will face West Coast in a qualifying final in Perth next Saturday night.