Pies rally for Varcoe

TRAVIS Varcoe has returned to Melbourne from the bedside of his critically ill sister to be comforted by his “other family” – his Collingwood teammates.

Varcoe addressed the Magpie playing group during training yesterday after flying back from Adelaide on Tuesday.

His sister Margaret, 27, is fighting for life in an Adelaide hospital after a sickening collision with a teammate during a woman’s football game.

She left the field after the accidental collision but collapsed in the change rooms.

Collingwood vice-captain Steele Sidebottom said the club was rallying behind Varcoe.