GEELONG'S Travis Varcoe is using a tumultuous off-season as motivation as he aims to return to his best in 2014.
The 25-year-old's name was put forward during October's player trading period, so he was a relieved man when the merry-go-round stopped and it was confirmed that he would remain with the Cats.
"I didn't want to leave, but when your name gets chucked up you do get a bit worried," Varcoe told AFL.com.au during a break in training at Simonds Stadium.
"If it had happened I would've been shattered. It'd be nice, at the end of my career, to say that I'm a one-club player. Not too many players can say that.
"I'm thankful that I'm still here. I could be doing it tough at another club, but I'm loving being here. And I love the town as well."
When the trade period was done, Varcoe spoke to Geelong coach Chris Scott and captain Joel Selwood, who assured him he was a big part of their plans for next season.
Reassured by their comments, he vowed to quickly shift his focus to setting a new standard on the track.
"You've got to put (the trade period) stuff behind you pretty quickly," Varcoe said. "That's the nature of the game.
"I've always believed that no one person's bigger than the club, so if the club wants to move in a certain direction, and you don't fit into that, you can't be mad at them.
"But everything worked out, so it's great. I love the club and being around the boys."
Still, part of Varcoe's flying start to the Cats' pre-Christmas training program has been a response to what went on in October.
"I guess people react differently, and you can take it any way you like," he said.
"But it gives me motivation. I'm going to do everything I can so I'm not in that position again.
"I feel like I can be a big part of the group to take this club forward.
"I'm excited about the season coming up. We've got a young list come through, so I think it's going to be a great year for the boys."
After playing a starring role in Geelong's 2011 Grand Final win over Collingwood, Varcoe's past two seasons have been marred by injuries.
Travis Varcoe shares the spoils of a winning team with Jimmy Bartel. Picture: AFL Media
A foot stress fracture restricted him to just one game in 2012, while this year a shoulder injury sidelined him for three months.
He was unable to recapture his best form when he returned on the eve of the finals, and his season ended with a heartbreaking missed shot at goal in the final minute of the preliminary final against Hawthorn, which Geelong lost by five points.
Right now, however, Varcoe is 100 per cent fit and training with a smile on his face.
"As exciting as it is, you can't help but feel like there's a hiccup that's going to happen," he admitted."I love training, so that's the easy part, I guess. The harder part is trying to stay off the injury list and stay away from the docs.
"But I'm hoping I've done my time in the rehab group. It's a bit isolating sometimes.
"But I can't really complain. I've just got to enjoy every day being around the group."
Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol
