Travis Cloke

[think positive]

[Peponi]

He will sign with the Pies. He's just trying to get the best contract even if it means he's giving the club the s..ts. Where do you think he'll go? Freemantle. Bahahahahaha... No, he won't.

[RudeBoy]

[think positive]

Hope they do, then the afl can find a way to outlaw it, fricken cheating

[RudeBoy]

Here's some of what eddie had to say today.

Eddie McGuire says Collingwood will poach Fremantle players should Travis Cloke move to the Dockers
By Karen Lyon AAP June 30, 2012 8:00PM


Watching on ... McGuire at the MCG on Saturday. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has vowed to poach the best young AFL talent at Fremantle should the Dockers succeed in their audacious attempt to recruit Magpies' spearhead Travis Cloke to the Perth-based club.

Speaking prior to the Magpies clash with the Dockers at the MCG, McGuire said he would declare "war" on Fremantle if they grabbed Cloke at the end of the season.


He said Collingwood would look to recruit Fremantle's best 22 and 23-year-olds to Collingwood in revenge for a successful raid on Cloke.

It was revealed earlier on Saturday that the Dockers, who lured former St Kilda coach Ross Lyon to the club at the beginning of this year in a move that shocked the league, were interested in the 25-year-old power forward.

Cloke has been in protracted negotiations with Collingwood all year.

It is believed the Dockers are prepared to offer Cloke up to $5 million for a five-year deal.


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Prior to the game, Lyon confirmed Fremantle's interest in Cloke. He labelled the forward a "special footballer, a hard working player."

"We are in the market place," Lyon declared on radio station Triple M, before saying his players would "appreciate" a player of Cloke's ability at their club.

But McGuire said the Magpies were in "fierce negotiations" with a number of players.

"We do negotiations all day, every day. We'll continue our negotiations. The Cloke one's a big one. The Fremantle Dockers are into him offering plenty of money and all that sort of stuff.

"That's fine, that's what they're there to do. They're a competitive side."

But McGuire fired back that his club would target the Dockers' young guns if Cloke did head west.

"And first port of call will be Fremantle, don't worry about that. You think I'm joking don't you? I'm not joking. I'm not joking, I promise you."

McGuire also had a minor warning for Cloke, suggesting the club would not be held to ransom by one player and would be able to replace any player that chose to leave the club.

"No one person dominates the Collingwood Football Club," he said.

[Peponi]

If he chooses to end up at Freemantle for say $1 million and forgo at playing at a club that is offering 750k and gave him a Premiership and perhaps more to come then he deserves to go to Freemantle. Yes, he's an important player in our set up. But NO ONE should be seen as irreplaceable. And the club and coach should clearly let players know where the door is if they think they are not irreplaceable. Every player should know that a string of bad performances means you're out and replaced by a player waiting in the wings. Similarly, they should let Cloke know that if he chooses to go to Freemantle or any other club, they have the club's blessings. We will replace him. There will be another Cloke waiting in the wings (or forward LOL). Yes, we want to keep Cloke, but he's no Christiano Ronaldo...

[Peponi]

He's had a good two years, but I don't believe he's in the Buddy Franklin level.

[Peponi]

Plus, the club should turn around to Cloke and his advisers and tell them they will not resign Cloke if he or his management continues to play this out in public. Play hard ball. He will not go to another club. Everyone is seeing how depressing it is to play for a club like GC or Freo. Seriously, play his bluff. I'm not saying they shouldn't give him a good contract. Far from it, but he's not a $1 million a year AFL player. 700k a year for 4 years. Take it or leave it. Or go play for Freo in front of 25,000 fans every second week, earn $1 million a year and watch the finals on the telly in Bali.

[MattyD]

[OEP]

This is negotiation pure and simple. The unfortunate part is that it's being played out in public and is starting to get a little nasty in it's nature. Unfortunately both parties are partly to blame for this...yes Cloke's management (i.e. his father) was vocal first but Collingwood has taken the bait and made public their feeling on the matter adding further fuel to the fire instead of remaining silent and not fanning the flames. The silly part is this is all playing into the hands of Cloke's management because all the external pressure is being applied to the Collingwood Football Club due to these ongoing public displays of emotion.

Either way I don't believe Cloke is as irreplaceable as some are making him out to be mainly due to how strong the current Collingwood side is in nearly every other position on the ground (yes even Dawes...at some point people will have to recognise he's learning a completely new role, a very difficult role and IS doing a bloody brilliant job, but that's an argument for another thread ). Would his loss be damaging to the side, absolutely. Would it be fatal, not even close.

Collingwood is in an amazing position of strength both on the field and off it with some great talent still to play and others trying to establish themselves in the side. If Cloke does decide to depart for greener ($$$) pastures them so be it, Collingwood will receive a high compensatory draft pick and will be primed to enter the next trade period or draft.

I'm really not that fussed if Cloke stays or goes and it's not because I'm pissed at him or his management over the ongoing contract negotiations, I just believe he's replaceable. I'm more concerned with the signings of Beams, Wellingham, and Reid (only reason I'm not worried about O'Brien and Goldsack is their Collingwood and will resign) because Beams is going to be a long term elite midfielder and they don't grow on trees, Wellingham is our midfield x-factor, and Reid is a unique talent a CHB.

Anyway it's out of my hands and as a supporter I'll just enjoy the ride

[Underdog]

Trade Cloke for Pav, I am sure Pav would like to win one

Then let the Magic Man Hine have his pick of Freos list

Cloke like Taz will come back

[Greening gold]

[Donny]

Sleeping ? The party's just hitting top gear, here.

I tend to agree with OEP.

Que Sera, Sera.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Eddie's carrying on like a spoilt 3 year old. Like we've never tried to poach top players

[AnthonyC]

Why were these threads merged? Back seat moderating but I think this was not warranted.
Can we get back OT and bag the crap out of Hiss.