Dogs Rule
9 Nov 2007, 00:27
I wouldn't mind picking him up to be honest...
Cloke wants another shot
09 November 2007 Herald Sun
Rebecca Williams
The 25-year-old carpenter is making a pitch to return to AFL ranks by entering the national and pre-season drafts.
Cloke spent the year playing for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL after he was delisted by Collingwood at the end of the 2006 season.
The eldest son of former Collingwood and Richmond ruckman David Cloke says he still has a lot to offer as an AFL player.
"If they want a bloke that can still play AFL footy and that can still step straight into a side and have an impact, then I'm the bloke," Cloke said.
"I am only 25 now. I know I can still play AFL footy, so it would be great to get another opportunity. I'm ready to go and I'll do anything to prove to people that I can still play AFL footy."
Cloke said he'd had casual talks with some clubs, but nothing official yet.
He did his best to keep his hopes of a second AFL chance alive after a strong season for Essendon's VFL affiliate.
He finished runner-up in Bendigo's best-and-fairest after missing just one match at the start of the season through suspension.
Cloke also gave a strong performance in the VFL's win over Western Australia in their state-of-origin clash in May.
Playing as a forward and wingman, Cloke felt his football was rejuvenated under new Essendon coach Matthew Knights at Bendigo.
"He more or less said to me at the start of the year that he didn't want me to play back because he knows I can play down back," Cloke said.
"I played the majority of the year on the wing and up forward and on ball. It was different for me and I enjoyed it.
"I'm not just a centre half-back, where I was seen at AFL level as a back sweeper.
"I have proved in the last 12 months with Knighta, I have played wing, I have played forward, on-ball and tagging roles and done all right.
"I think it was also refreshing not having the stresses of, 'Am I going to be in the side this week or am I going to be dropped?'."
Cloke said he had kept fit since the end of the season in the hope of getting another chance at the top level.
"I have been working full-time and I still keep myself fit," Cloke said.
"You never know if you're going to get a pre-season or if you're going to get redrafted again, so you've got to keep fit.
"Probably the only thing that I haven't been doing is a lot of weights, but I think I do a lot of that at work. I'm up and down ladders all the time, so it keeps you fit."
Cloke, who played 76 games with Collingwood, said he had no ill-feelings towards the Magpies.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,9191,22727337%255E20322,00.html
Cloke wants another shot
09 November 2007 Herald Sun
Rebecca Williams
The 25-year-old carpenter is making a pitch to return to AFL ranks by entering the national and pre-season drafts.
Cloke spent the year playing for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL after he was delisted by Collingwood at the end of the 2006 season.
The eldest son of former Collingwood and Richmond ruckman David Cloke says he still has a lot to offer as an AFL player.
"If they want a bloke that can still play AFL footy and that can still step straight into a side and have an impact, then I'm the bloke," Cloke said.
"I am only 25 now. I know I can still play AFL footy, so it would be great to get another opportunity. I'm ready to go and I'll do anything to prove to people that I can still play AFL footy."
Cloke said he'd had casual talks with some clubs, but nothing official yet.
He did his best to keep his hopes of a second AFL chance alive after a strong season for Essendon's VFL affiliate.
He finished runner-up in Bendigo's best-and-fairest after missing just one match at the start of the season through suspension.
Cloke also gave a strong performance in the VFL's win over Western Australia in their state-of-origin clash in May.
Playing as a forward and wingman, Cloke felt his football was rejuvenated under new Essendon coach Matthew Knights at Bendigo.
"He more or less said to me at the start of the year that he didn't want me to play back because he knows I can play down back," Cloke said.
"I played the majority of the year on the wing and up forward and on ball. It was different for me and I enjoyed it.
"I'm not just a centre half-back, where I was seen at AFL level as a back sweeper.
"I have proved in the last 12 months with Knighta, I have played wing, I have played forward, on-ball and tagging roles and done all right.
"I think it was also refreshing not having the stresses of, 'Am I going to be in the side this week or am I going to be dropped?'."
Cloke said he had kept fit since the end of the season in the hope of getting another chance at the top level.
"I have been working full-time and I still keep myself fit," Cloke said.
"You never know if you're going to get a pre-season or if you're going to get redrafted again, so you've got to keep fit.
"Probably the only thing that I haven't been doing is a lot of weights, but I think I do a lot of that at work. I'm up and down ladders all the time, so it keeps you fit."
Cloke, who played 76 games with Collingwood, said he had no ill-feelings towards the Magpies.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,9191,22727337%255E20322,00.html