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Where should Travis Cloke go?

Roar Guru
1st September, 2016
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The Hawks take on the Magpies in the first game of the NAB Challenge. (Slattery Images)
Roar Guru
1st September, 2016
21

Earlier this week, Travis Cloke informed the Collingwood Football Club that he wished to be traded.

After a disappointing season in which he kicked only 17 goals from 13 matches, as well as being dropped three times, a fresh start is exactly what Cloke needs.

Following the announcement of his request, two potential landing spots have been discussed: Richmond and the Western Bulldogs.

Both of these clubs offer a different and unique opportunity for Cloke, so let’s look at the factors influencing his landing spot.

Cloke to Richmond

Why it would work

Cloke going to Richmond would definitely be the more interesting of the two clubs. Richmond, with it’s big supporter base and even bigger expectations, would offer Cloke a great forward line partner in Jack Riewoldt.

Riewoldt at his best is one of the best forwards in the game, as evident by the Coleman medals he won in 2010 and 2012. Pairing Cloke with Riewoldt would allow Jack to play closer to goal.

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Too many times this year, Riewoldt was forced to find the ball beyond the forward 50, nullifying the impact he could have on games.

With Cloke in, and possibly Vickery gone if the rumours surrounding his move to Hawthorn are true, Riewoldt could stay closer to home as Cloke works up higher towards the wings.

Cloke playing up high, taking contested marks and then kicking long to Riewoldt in a contest with the likes of Cyril Rioli to be front and centre could be a real threat to opposition teams.

Why it wouldn’t work

Cloke moving from one under-performing mega club in Melbourne with a coach on the hot seat to another under-performing mega club in Melbourne with a coach on the hot seat is just a recipe for disaster. It would be a case of same crap, different smell.

Cloke would likely struggle as a product of the Tigers slow ball movement, and it wouldn’t take long for Cloke to become a scapegoat to the fans and media.

Cloke to the Bulldogs

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Why it would work
The Bulldogs struggle to kick goals. In fact, four non-finals teams, Collingwood, St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Melbourne, scored more goals throughout the season.

Despite their plethora of speedy outside midfielders and their elite skills (74.3 per cent DE, 4th in clangers and most disposals), they struggle to score.

While they may have million dollar man Tom Boyd, as well as The Footballer Formally Known as The Package up forward, the Dogs forward line has been ineffective.

The fact that Marcus Bontempelli andTom Liberatore are both in the top five for goals scored this season should be enough to prove that something is missing. That something could be Cloke.

Cloke, despite his season of poor form, would most likely still attract the number one defender every week. This then frees up any combination of Boyd/Redpath/Roughead/Stringer to play on the next best defenders.

This freedom could be enough to see each of these players take their game to a new level. With the Dogs owning possession and cutting the ball quickly through the middle of the smaller Etihad Stadium, Cloke’s also far more likely to be hit up on short, sharp leads, something he has not been able to do playing on the much bigger MCG.

Why it won’t work

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The Dogs are a young and surging list that will be pushing for a flag in the years to come. It is doubtful that the addition of Cloke is going to be the tipping point that pushes the Dogs to the premiership. Cloke will be 30 by the time next season starts, and his best footy is clearly behind him.

The Dogs should really focus on getting games into the expensive Boyd, and the addition of Cloke could hinder that development.

Wherever Cloke goes will be a big talking point during trade week. His best chance of ever reaching the form of his previous years seems to be the Dogs, where quick ball movement and precise skills could see him enter a new stage of his career, playing closer to goal and leading up on shorter, more powerful leads.

Let’s just hope for Cloke’s sake that this isn’t the end of the road, because at his best he truly was one of the best power forwards in the game.

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