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Hundreds of people have gathered to remember an Adelaide SANFL women's league footballer at an outdoor memorial in Adelaide.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following story contains names and images of people who have died.
Key points:
- Mourners gathered to remember Maggie Varcoe
- Her football club described her as talented and determined
- Brother Travis Varcoe thanked people for their "love and support"
Maggie Varcoe died after an accidental clash with one of her teammates during a game last month.
Varcoe's family has granted permission for her name and image to be used.
She was playing in the division two grand final for Angle Vale Football Club in the SA Women's Football League when she was hurt.
Varcoe left the field but collapsed in the changerooms before being rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where she later died.
A teammate told the gathering knowing Maggie — the sister of Collingwood midfielder Travis Varcoe — was "a blessing and a privilege".
"She was everything you would want in a teammate," she said.
"She was talented and determined. She inspired us and encouraged us and more importantly she believed in us.
"As a footy club we can honour her by the things that we do here.
"The best way to honour her is to be a little bit more like her.
"Be kinder, more humble, show selflessness, love unconditionally and encourage without criticising."
Yellow ribbons were tied around bollards at the football club's oval and the siren sounded.
Football clubs pay tribute ahead of service
Earlier in the day Angle Vale Football Club posted a tribute to "Coach Varcoe" on its Facebook page describing her as a "dedicated footballer".
"We will miss her greatly and will miss her enthusiasm, mentoring and passion-driven advice a lot," it read.
The 27-year-old also played for North Adelaide in the SANFL women's competition.
Collingwood Football Club released a statement yesterday on behalf of Travis Varcoe thanking people for supporting his family.
"On behalf of the extended Varcoe family, I want to thank all who have reached out to us with their love and support since the passing of our beloved Maggie," he said.
"We have been deeply touched by the kindness expressed to us over the last two weeks."
Topics: sport, australian-football-league, australia, angle-park-5010, adelaide-5000, sa, collingwood-3066, vic