Cloke Sr hits out at coach
30 September 2003 Herald Sun
By MARK ROBINSON
JASON Cloke's father, David, last night hit out at Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse's attack on his son following Saturday's Grand Final defeat.
In a none-too-subtle description of Cloke's performance, Malthouse said: "This is his first Grand Final. He probably played better in the last one."
Cloke missed the 2002 Grand Final because of suspension and, this year, had just one kick and three handballs in the unfamiliar position of key forward.
David Cloke said he read of Malthouse's comment in yesterday's Herald Sun.
Aware that it's a coach's right to criticise his players, Cloke nevertheless was disappointed Malthouse had singled out his son.
"From a parent, a father, if he has made that statement I would be disappointed," Cloke said.
"That's a very funny statement to make considering they only kept him on the ground for half a game.
"It's very hard to make the statement about someone. I don't know what he meant by it."
Cloke, a former Collingwood player, said Malthouse had to live with the decision to play Jason Cloke as a forward.
"What he probably needs to look at is here's a fellow who's played less than 50 games, just over 40 games of football, played 98 per cent of them as a backman, and then because of Anthony Rocca's suspension, they think they have to use him to plug up centre half-forward," Cloke said.
Did he feel it was the correct decision?
"That's the decision Mick has to live by, no one else. He made that decision," Cloke said.
"What I believe doesn't matter. He's the coach. I don't pick the side, he picks the side and he has to live by that decision."
He said he would consider speaking to Malthouse about his comments.
"Will I say anything? I've got no idea. Down the line I might ask him what he meant by the comment.
"It seems to be a funny comment to make.
"He's the coach. He says what he believes is right at the time and he may have thought that was right to say at the time, I don't know."
He said he was not aware if Jason knew of Malthouse's criticism.
"I haven't spoke to him (Jason) about it yet. They've been out all day. I don't know if he knows or not.
"I'd say he'd probably read the papers today, so he might know about it."
30 September 2003 Herald Sun
By MARK ROBINSON
JASON Cloke's father, David, last night hit out at Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse's attack on his son following Saturday's Grand Final defeat.
In a none-too-subtle description of Cloke's performance, Malthouse said: "This is his first Grand Final. He probably played better in the last one."
Cloke missed the 2002 Grand Final because of suspension and, this year, had just one kick and three handballs in the unfamiliar position of key forward.
David Cloke said he read of Malthouse's comment in yesterday's Herald Sun.
Aware that it's a coach's right to criticise his players, Cloke nevertheless was disappointed Malthouse had singled out his son.
"From a parent, a father, if he has made that statement I would be disappointed," Cloke said.
"That's a very funny statement to make considering they only kept him on the ground for half a game.
"It's very hard to make the statement about someone. I don't know what he meant by it."
Cloke, a former Collingwood player, said Malthouse had to live with the decision to play Jason Cloke as a forward.
"What he probably needs to look at is here's a fellow who's played less than 50 games, just over 40 games of football, played 98 per cent of them as a backman, and then because of Anthony Rocca's suspension, they think they have to use him to plug up centre half-forward," Cloke said.
Did he feel it was the correct decision?
"That's the decision Mick has to live by, no one else. He made that decision," Cloke said.
"What I believe doesn't matter. He's the coach. I don't pick the side, he picks the side and he has to live by that decision."
He said he would consider speaking to Malthouse about his comments.
"Will I say anything? I've got no idea. Down the line I might ask him what he meant by the comment.
"It seems to be a funny comment to make.
"He's the coach. He says what he believes is right at the time and he may have thought that was right to say at the time, I don't know."
He said he was not aware if Jason knew of Malthouse's criticism.
"I haven't spoke to him (Jason) about it yet. They've been out all day. I don't know if he knows or not.
"I'd say he'd probably read the papers today, so he might know about it."