Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board

For me it's pretty simple.

If he leaves then it's my belief he's already agreed to terms at another club and the truth will come out to when the club knew he was leaving after the season is done.

If he stays then that decision will not be made until after the season ends which is obviously the line the media is being fed currently.

#inclokewetrust

RudeBoy wrote:
What happens re contracts etc is now irrelevant. We have a Premiership to win.

This is all I've been saying. The club and supporters have, in my view, been the main reason why this non-issue had some chance of becoming an issue.

Cloke will go or stay. That's the future. In the present he was always going to be a Collingwood player for the remainder of this season. The club and supporters needed to show support during this period, not vitriol and sly digs. I think it's this lack of support that is more likely to have affected Cloke's form than anything else.

I could understand anger once Cloke had left the club. Personally I'd not feel it, leaving an employer is a personal decision that can be made for any number of reasons, and is not one I'd judge from the outside. But I would understand it. While he's here though, it's in the club's and in the fans interest that he be shown as much support as possible.

Yep do we believe in side by side? Clokey is one of us. We need to show our support for him while he wears the greatest jumper in the land and plays the toughest position under the greatest scrutiny. Together Travis and the fellas with our mighty support can win a famous flag.

Yep do we believe in side by side? Clokey is one of us. We need to show our support for him while he wears the greatest jumper in the land and plays the toughest position under the greatest scrutiny. Together Travis and the fellas with our mighty support can win a famous flag.

I hope we are'nt basing this on his current form or some of the comments directed at him from club and players

I believe Travis will stay.

ANNODAM wrote:I believe Travis will stay.

Me to.

I was frustrated with Trav, but now I just want to jump on the positive wave, in this thread, and let the negativity slide through, and support the guy.

Talking in a broad sense nature has a way of sorting things out, and I don't think alot of people will harbour resentment against the big fella.

If he goes he goes, just let it be, as long as we get compensated properly ( two first round picks at least ) and if for some stupendous reason we don't get two first rounders , we can't blame Travis for that anyway.

Btw the run through banner of Trav is a great idea. Someone make it happen.

magpieazza wrote:
If he goes he goes, just let it be, as long as we get compensated properly ( two first round picks at least ) and if for some stupendous reason we don't get two first rounders , we can't blame Travis for that anyway.

Oh we aren't getting 2 compensation picks, the AFL has already come out and said that, it will be one late 1st round draft pick

ClokingDevice wrote:

magpieazza wrote:
If he goes he goes, just let it be, as long as we get compensated properly ( two first round picks at least ) and if for some stupendous reason we don't get two first rounders , we can't blame Travis for that anyway.

Oh we aren't getting 2 compensation picks, the AFL has already come out and said that, it will be one late 1st round draft pick

What was the Judd trade, correct me if I'm wrong. Kennedy, a first rounder and some other pick. I could live with that, if that was the trade.

Agree wth the idea we need to show Cloke some "love", leading into finals.

And when push comes to shove it may just be the attitude of the fans that becomes an important part of Clokes decision.
"Love will keep us together" as the song goes, but if he feel he has lost the fans, the decision to leave will be so much easier for him.

If Travis kicks 50 goals this year, well 50 in the next two weeks, then say ends the finals campaign with 53-55 goals, would that still be a failed season considering he hasn't been at his best.

A pass effort at least?

I know he kicked 69 last year and dominated, but in a season where he hasn't been great I'd say 50 goals is alright, considering the Coleman could be decided with 65 goals.

I'm just trying to throw a different spin on things.

Personally, I think the bigger issue is Dawes.

I agree. He hasn't been playing well, but 50 goals is not that bad.

I agree Dawes is a bigger concern.

Yeah I think there are a number of factors surrounding Cloke's form.

1. He does not have Dawes and Leigh Brown as a buffer anymore. Dawes has been poor and often required in the ruck. Cloke's only help at times has been Goldsack and he is far from an aggressor.

2. Delivery has been poor. Our footskills have been atrocious over the last month.

3. Ball movement has been slow. Sides are getting back quicker and crowding his space. Cloke has still been decent when he has been able to compete one on one.

I know Thompson beat him a few times last week...but in all those situations the kick favoured the defender.


Regardless, he has still been out of form. His contract negotiations aren't helping. It probably wasn't a factor at the start...but now with all the media speculation it is surely having an impact just because of the perception. I think he is feeling the pressure and every week he doesn't perform it is building. He will be a better player once this is behind him.

I actually think if he leaves for big money he will continue to struggle because the attention on him will be even bigger. He will need to justify his wage.

At least if he stays at Collingwood for a lower salary, he will be considered a loyal player and the pressure will be off.