#32 Travis Cloke

[nomadjack]

That's fine KM. I agree with you on the footy show appearance. Was ill-advised and clearly wasn't a great look. Some of the inferences that have been drawn from it in terms of how selfish Travis is are laughable and completely fly in the face on what he's like. Buck's, Mick and any number of players have always noted how team orientated he is, yet this all gets lost in the wash because it doesn't suit the picture people want to build.

As for the comparison with Daisy and Pendles. With Daisy in particular I suggest you go back and read some of the media and the posts here and on BigFooty from the time negotiations started until he signed in September. The picture is almost identical to the Cloke saga. He refused to rule out GWS as an option and regularly used his spot on Nova to push things along, usually parroting the party line, but sometimes being less careful. As for his form - yes it was generally good, but there were plenty of people criticizing him and blaming his 2 suspensions on his being sidetracked by contract negotiations.

It's also worth remembering the contract terms were much shorter. Will be interesting to see how quickly 'fans' turn when his next one is up for negotiation.

[jack_spain]

His accuracy is not 68%. How many out on the full? How many didn't make the distance because he missed across the face to the opposite pocket?

Let's get real. He is nowhere near 68% accuracy

Forget the innaccuracy issue. That's real, but a red herring. These are the stats that matter to me.

T. Cloke 163 games 257 goals (1.58 goals per game)

L. Franklin 156 games 502 goals (3.28 goals per game)

And Travis wants the same money or more than Buddy gets.

[Nash Rising]

His accuracy is not 68%. How many out on the full? How many didn't make the distance because he missed across the face to the opposite pocket?

Let's get real. He is nowhere near 68% accuracy

Forget the innaccuracy issue. That's real, but a red herring. These are the stats that matter to me.

T. Cloke 163 games 257 goals (1.58 goals per game)

L. Franklin 156 games 502 goals (3.28 goals per game)

And Travis wants the same money or more than Buddy gets.

Ok, I think most of us accept that your team has some good footballers. Buddy is one of them.

But I'd back our midfield against yours any day

[Steve86]

Anyone got goal assists Trav vs Lance?

Agreed. Love to see travs inside 50 / goal assists count vs Buddys in the last 2 - 3 years

[obleex]

Anyone got goal assists Trav vs Lance?

TBH Buddy would probably shade him in that area too!

[RudeBoy]

The issue should not be about how good Cloke is. Without doubt he is a very good player. If he wasn't, other clubs would not be offering him million dollar contracts. Nor should he be criticised for conducting tough negotiations with the club to secure a good contract. After all, football clubs, including ours, can be hard nosed when it suits them. I supported Thommo and Tuddy when they went on strike for more money. My issue with Cloke, however, is two-fold.

Firstly, I strongly object to the public way he and his old man have conducted their bargaining. By airing the sorts of figures he's been offered and suggesting he has friends at Carlton etc, was nothing short of a disgrace. Talking about the club as 'they' was equally offensive.

Secondly, holding out for more than $750,000 pa over 4 years smacks of pure greed. I realise holding out for the maximum you can get is the norm in other codes overseas, but these teams do not have salary caps! There has to be a limit on personal gain, otherwise we will lose other players. Cloke made it clear on TFS that was not his concern.

Anyway, my gut feel is that a deal will be done very soon. However, I fear it will do our club long term damage. With us approaching the finals he has held our club to ransom. I cannot excuse the Clokes for their arrogant, mercenary behaviour. Obviously we each have our own feelings and attitudes to this sorry soap opera, but imo he has caused us terrible damage. I just hope I am proved wrong.

[Steve86]

in regards to that goal assist thing, buddy has 16, trav has 11 for the year and buddy I50's is 64 vs trav's 60, so he just beats him there too

[perthmagpie]

Travis has kicked 19 shots out of bounds this year.

[Collingwood 4 eternity]

Cloke has the next 3 weeks to help steer our side to a serious tilt at the premiership.

Buddy hasn't

[swoop42]

I'm as frustrated as most with the prolonged Cloke negotations but I must say I'm a little surprised by some of the hardline feelings towards him.

By all means if he leaves for money then he'll become public enemy No.1 in my eyes and those of many but until then I hope like hell he stays for what the club can afford to pay him.

Hopefully Travis realises that what the club can afford to pay him (reported $750.000 a year) has only come about in the first place because teammates have accepted less than what they otherwise could have received elsewhere in order to hopefully keep a list together capable of winning more premierships.

Time now for Travis to repay there sacrifice for the greater good of the club.

[woftam]

His accuracy is not 68%. How many out on the full? How many didn't make the distance because he missed across the face to the opposite pocket?

Let's get real. He is nowhere near 68% accuracy

Forget the innaccuracy issue. That's real, but a red herring. These are the stats that matter to me.

T. Cloke 163 games 257 goals (1.58 goals per game)

L. Franklin 156 games 502 goals (3.28 goals per game)

And Travis wants the same money or more than Buddy gets.

I actually agree with you Jack. There is no comparison.
But we are only speculating on what Cloke is actually going to get.
So is the media. If we keep all our players & the club seems to think we will, then good on them all for accepting less than market value to stay.

[Piesnchess]

IF you talk the talk, youve gotta walk the walk, and right now Travis aint walkin it. !

[Pies4shaw]

Just a little perspective:

"NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints still must close a significant gap in guaranteed money if they are to agree on a five-year contract worth about $100 million by Monday's looming deadline for a long-term deal, said a person familiar with the negotiations.

The sides were more than $10 million apart in the guaranteed portion of the contract on Wednesday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing."

See: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/81583 ... teed-money

[sq3]

You must have missed Ray Allen signing with Heat for HALF of what Boston offered.

Rashard Lewis also signed for veteran minimum.

They both make the Heat just so much stronger and they will win multiple titles.

Bear in mind they have both made over $100m over their careers so far - so now it is all about championships and rings.

Can't really compare this to Cloke as the top US guys make way more out of sponsorship deals than they do from sports salaries - but here it is all about the sports salary.

[Piesnchess]

Just a little perspective:

"NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints still must close a significant gap in guaranteed money if they are to agree on a five-year contract worth about $100 million by Monday's looming deadline for a long-term deal, said a person familiar with the negotiations.

The sides were more than $10 million apart in the guaranteed portion of the contract on Wednesday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing."

See: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/81583 ... teed-money

YES, but remember our population is only a mere fraction of the USA. More people live in New York and surrounds, than in the whole of Australia. They have a massive pool to draw on.