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
A Collingwood supporter since the egg was inseminated.