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Reading Collingwood’s team sheet on Thursday night seemed to be yet another nail in the coffin for the idea that Travis Cloke might still be a Magpie in season 2017.
Omitted for the third time this year in favour of second-year tall Darcy Moore, it now appears that Cloke is no longer wanted at the Collingwood Football Club.
A club and a coach never come out and say these things of course, but if you read between the lines a bit it’s clear that Nathan Buckley and the rest of the Magpies staff are not planning to have Cloke on the list in 2017.
When asked earlier this week if the Pies would consider trading Cloke under his request, football managed Neil Balme said: “You can’t be that categoric, who knows what could happen? We’re all open to whatever is going to happen.”
Balme said on a few occasions that Cloke would have to be the instigator of a trade, but his ‘anything could happen’ attitude made it pretty clear that the Pies would be more than happy to find a deal for him.
Nathan Buckley’s praise for Darcy Moore after Friday night gave another indication: “We’ll build a forward line around Darcy over the next ten years and he’s ready to go now.”
No one at this time of year is going to say “Yeah, we want to turf him. Any takers?” But that appears to be the situation that’s developing, and sooner or later Cloke will get the hint.
The big question over a Cloke trade, however, has always been this – who would want him? His form hasn’t been great (aside from one belter against GWS), and he’s 29 years old.
Reportedly, the Bulldogs are the club that are looking closely at acquiring his services. And while the idea probably doesn’t excite Dogs fans, it could turn out to be a perfect match.
They’ll be missing Jack Redpath until at least late in 2017 season, and Tom Boyd isn’t yet the player who can hold their forward line together. They need a tall target to do that in 2017.
Cloke could be that guy – drawing the number one defender, allowing Jake Stringer to play more free and loose, and giving Boyd a chance to develop as a second banana rather than being thrust into the starring role.
Luke Beveridge and Nathan Buckley are strikingly different coaches, and the change of pace could be exactly what Cloke needs to revitalise his career.
And if it doesn’t pan out – well, he wouldn’t be on anything longer than a two-year contract at an average wage, certainly. That’s not a whole lot of risk to take on, given the potential reward.
Another significant revelation to emerge this week has come almost out of left field, with Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne reportedly wanting a trade out of Fremantle – to the West Coast Eagles, if possible, and if not, to an eastern states club.
Ballantyne has been one of the most iconic players of this Fremantle era and to imagine him pulling on another team’s colours – especially those of the Dockers’ greatest rivals – is mentally jarring.
But, that’s what seems likely to happen now. Why? There hasn’t been a stated reason but you’d have to guess there’s been some kind of falling out between Ballantyne and the Dockers. His desire to stay in WA if possible suggests it isn’t some other apsect of his life that is problematic, but rather his relationship with the club.
Has Ross told Ballantyne he doesn’t fit into a rebuilding Fremantle for 2016? Has Ballantyne lost hope in Fremantle’s flag chances and thinks he has a shot elsewhere? Who knows. For those of us who pictured the larger-than-life small forward wearing purple all career long, it’s kind of a bummer either way.
The third and final rumour we’ll look at this week is Rory Lobb, who is reportedly considering a trade back to his home state of Western Australia.
He’s had a breakout season in 2016. Just yesterday he took four contested marks and booted four goals against the West Coast Eagles – and he does a handy job in the ruck, too. He’s good – very, very good. Only 23, too.
The Giants have denied that Lobb has asked for a trade, but we’ve all read that line before about a variety of GWS players. That’s not to say it might not be the truth, but the idea that Lobb might look to move does add up.
The simple fact is that GWS have too much talent on their list to pay them all what they’re worth and a breakout talent like Lobb is certainly on less right now than what he could earn at another club.
GWS will no doubt offer him a good deal at increased dollars, but a team like Fremantle – probably his most likely destination, if he does go back to WA – is certainly going to have more room to offer him the big bucks.
Where does that leave Cam McCarthy, another star Giant who wanted a trade to Fremantle (but hasn’t yet got one)?
How would Fremantle get the currency to trade for either of them – as well as Brad Hill – when they don’t have a second-round pick and surely won’t want to give up their first rounder, likely to be pick No.3?
Surely trading a guy like Ballantyne doesn’t get them the currency they need to land a guy like Lobb.
Things look pretty up in the air at this stage. But no doubt they’ll become clearer and clearer as October draws near.
Hungry for more AFL Trade Rumours? Read more here.