Varcoe, a former Kyabram District Cricket Association skipper, spent most of his prime playing days with The Flames and was a member of five flag-winning sides, three as captain, over a period of 18 years.
He sits in third place behind champions Paul Newman and Danny Kent on the club’s list of leading run-makers.
Fire Brigade head-hunted Varcoe, a respected cricket and football coach, in a bid to turn around the fortunes of the club which has missed the past three finals series in the Goulburn Murray Cricket John McMahon Shield competition.
And Varcoe has been happy with what he has experienced to date in the build up to the new season.
‘‘We’ve had pleasing numbers at pre-season training sessions and I believe I’ve got some talented young players to work with and develop,’’ Varcoe said.
He named Miller Griffiths, Bohden Learmonth, Wil Harrison, Jack Barnett and Cohan Hooper as some of these young players who can step up and make a difference to the club’s fortunes.
These young players will be complemented by experienced players Paul Newman, Kaine Herbert, Brenton Sheppard and Rob Salter who will captain the side.
Unfortunately Jake Gascoyne, one of its most reliable batters in recent years, will miss the season after sustaining an ACL injury playing football with Merrigum this year.
Fire Brigade tackles Tongala first-up at Tongala this Saturday.
Tongala, in its second season back in A-grade ranks, is looking to build on last season in which an outright win over Fire Brigade was the highlight of its season.
Adam Nunn is to return to the side after missing last season, but will be used mainly as a batter.
McKenzie Cowley has also been recruited from Girgarre.
Alex Williams will skipper the side again and will have experienced players Jayden Tucker, Nunn and occasionally star all-rounder Darin Olhsen to support him.
Bowling spearhead Lachy Caldwell and Hudson Kellett are among the younger players Tongala will be looking to make progress in their promising careers.
Saturdays’s opening round draw: BLU v Echuca; Rochester v Nondies Cohuna; Echuca South v Moama; Tongala v Fire Brigade; Leitchville-Gunbower — bye.
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