- Dec 8, 2003
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FATHER-son candidate Travis Cloke is far from Collingwood-bound and could sign with Richmond next year, according to his father, David.
A 198cm left-footed big man, rated by some as a better prospect than brothers Jason and Cameron, Travis has already been told by Collingwood it will sign him at year's end.
But David Cloke said yesterday the fact all three boys would be competing for similar roles might jeopardise their chances of playing successfully together.
The family will weigh up each club's junior development program, as well as their willingness to let Travis seriously commit to Year 12 next year.
Richmond football director Geoff Miller has already scheduled one meeting with the Cloke family, signalling the Tigers' bold intentions to take Cloke from under the nose of Collingwood.
"There is no done deal, as some might people might think," David Cloke said.
"There are different things we have to weigh up. It would be nice to watch them play at one club -- that makes it easy -- but we have got to make a decision that is the best for him and his football.
"With the three boys all being talls, they could be eating into each other's (opportunities).
"Jason is more of a tall back that can play tall forward. Some say he can't, but he can (play forward). If he is given the opportunity to play more, he will be better.
"Cameron is more a tall forward, and Trav could play either end, so we need to understand what their feelings are that way."
David Cloke said there was some concern about Richmond's development of young talent, which he claimed "hasn't been real good".
He said there was no bitter ness with Richmond, which passed up the option of selecting Jason in the 2000 national draft and instead picked onballer Mark Coughlan with its second-round selection.
David Cloke plans to enter player management later this year, in part because of his disappointment with the lack of time agents commit to charting their players' futures after football.
"I have seen a lot of young kids who need advice or just guidance," he said. "I am not going into it to make a living -- I want to help the young fellas."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,8756772%5E19742,00.html
A 198cm left-footed big man, rated by some as a better prospect than brothers Jason and Cameron, Travis has already been told by Collingwood it will sign him at year's end.
But David Cloke said yesterday the fact all three boys would be competing for similar roles might jeopardise their chances of playing successfully together.
The family will weigh up each club's junior development program, as well as their willingness to let Travis seriously commit to Year 12 next year.
Richmond football director Geoff Miller has already scheduled one meeting with the Cloke family, signalling the Tigers' bold intentions to take Cloke from under the nose of Collingwood.
"There is no done deal, as some might people might think," David Cloke said.
"There are different things we have to weigh up. It would be nice to watch them play at one club -- that makes it easy -- but we have got to make a decision that is the best for him and his football.
"With the three boys all being talls, they could be eating into each other's (opportunities).
"Jason is more of a tall back that can play tall forward. Some say he can't, but he can (play forward). If he is given the opportunity to play more, he will be better.
"Cameron is more a tall forward, and Trav could play either end, so we need to understand what their feelings are that way."
David Cloke said there was some concern about Richmond's development of young talent, which he claimed "hasn't been real good".
He said there was no bitter ness with Richmond, which passed up the option of selecting Jason in the 2000 national draft and instead picked onballer Mark Coughlan with its second-round selection.
David Cloke plans to enter player management later this year, in part because of his disappointment with the lack of time agents commit to charting their players' futures after football.
"I have seen a lot of young kids who need advice or just guidance," he said. "I am not going into it to make a living -- I want to help the young fellas."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,8756772%5E19742,00.html
