Travis Cloke could have been one of the greatest power forwards to ever play in the AFL. Could have.
After years of watching him spray the ball way left, and then way right, kick after kick, miss after miss, I’ve realised that Cloke has no desire to be remembered as one of the greats.
The greatest full forwards in AFL history dominated the contest – and if they weren’t dominating, they were trying to dominate.
If they weren’t in the game, they would force themselves into the game. They wanted the ball in their hands, they wanted to have the kick after the siren, because they knew they were great.
When I look at Cloke, I see none of the above desires. And it’s gone way beyond his poor goal-kicking record.
This couldn’t have been clearer against St Kilda on Friday night. Cloke ended the night with 5.4, with three goals coming from the goal square when the game had already been won. He also missed three relatively easy set shots that had every Collingwood fan’s face in their hands.
No one in the Magpie Army would want Travis Cloke to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. And to some degree, I don’t even think he wants the ball himself.
Between 2011 and 2013 Cloke was arguably the best forward in the game. He would mark everything. He demanded the ball. He intimidated opposition.
Fans were pondering whether Lance Franklin or Cloke was the more valuable full forward. In 2015, if you put those two names in the same sentence, people laugh at you.
In 219 games, Cloke has kicked 398 goals and 327 behinds. Franklin has played 206 games for 665 goals and 475 behinds.
Jack Riewoldt has played 159 games and kicked 387 goals – that’s almost the same as Cloke in 50 fewer games. And Nick Riewoldt – who has also gone through his own accuracy issues – has 622 goals in 283 games.
Buddy is an athletic freak who can kick a goal from anywhere. Nick Reiwoldt and Jonathon Brown are sensational leaders. Matthew Pavlich is the man for the clutch play.
What attribute does Cloke have that we can consistently identify week in, week out. Sure, he knows how to cover the ground well. He works hard and tries his best. He knows how to take a contested grab once a game and has been incredibly durable throughout his career.
But Cloke is part of an exclusive group that players do not want to be part of.
It’s the group of players who have all the potential in the world, all the physical gifts, the best facilities and resources available, yet can’t elevate themselves to superstar status.
Cloke is turning 29 this year, so I don’t know if he’ll kick 600 goals by the end of his career. If that is the case, do we officially rule Travis Cloke as a bust?
I don’t know the answer, but it’s a damn shame to even be searching for it.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
Collingwood would be better off moving him on while another club still looks at this overrated dud as something better than what he accually is. Someone will give Collingwood a good deal,the Fockers might be keen?
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I too think he could have been fearsome and left as a goalkicking great. I think his marking is still strong. It is just his kicking.
The Great Poohdini
Guest
If you watch the path the ball takes when he is kicking from 40-50 metres the ball swings out before it comes back into its target. When his kicking from 10, 15, 20 out, you can see the ball swing outwards straight away. He needs better control on the ball at those positions and he shouldn't use a drop punt. He should try to snap the ball as he'll have a better chance of controlling the direction of the ball.
ciudadmarron
Guest
I always just assumed that's what they all did.
Aransan
Guest
Leigh Mathews made an interesting comment following the replay of a good goal from a distance and an angle. Something like "has anyone suggested to Cloke when he has an easy shot for goal to pick out someone in the second tier and kick hard through the ball? The problem is mental as there is nothing wrong with his technique".
Josh
Expert
Has had his good years and his bad, more of the latter unfortunately but I think the quality of his good years will keep him from ever being a "bust".
julian
Guest
Clokey showed some real promise a few years ago,,, but sadly never really showed up as a someone truly dedicated to his craft, or potential. Unfortunately, I believe he is an embarrassment to himself. Too much pride and ego to really address his real issues, which are mental. He has no heart for the contest. He never puts himself on the line. He is a pretender.
Richard
Roar Guru
Good article. At 29, with over 300 AFL games under his belt and, what, a salary of $600,000 a year? Well Cloke should be the guy you breathe a sigh of relief over when he has the ball in his hands in front of goal. Contrast Clokey's performance with that of a sportsman I rate very highly - Cameron Smith, Captain of Melbourne Storm. Last night I watched him kick a goal from a place kick virtually on the touch line, in swirling winds. Remembering that the Steeden is a lighter ball than the sherrin, and tends to float, it was a remarkable feat. Cam Smith does that time and time again. He is an absolute champion. Clokey will probably never be a Cam Smith, but if only he was a just a little like him I'd be happy. He just needs to do better. (Jessie White too. C'mon!)
Aransan
Guest
It is somewhat late for Cloke to learn how to kick for goal, yet it seems to be especially a mental issue. This is not uncommon, in a way it is a pity that Cloke is on the forward line given his weakness kicking for goal but on the other hand he couldn't be played anywhere else on the ground. There have been many players like that.