Jason Cloke article in the Herald Sun

bradrowe#32

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Oct 5, 2004
Posts
14,125
Likes
6,856
Location
Perth
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Rochester FC, Waroona FC, Pacers
Thread starter #1
Cloke a Willy Wonkey
09 July 2005 Herald Sun

Nice place Williamstown if you can afford it. But if you're a Collingwood footballer you can't afford to spend too much time there. Just ask Jason Cloke.

Biting the dust: Jason Cloke has been under heavy scrutiny from the media and opponents.

IT'S 7 o'clock on a Monday morning and Jason Cloke is a universe away from the cosseted world of the modern-day AFL footballer.

As darkness gradually lifts and the freezing air fills with puffs of warm breath, a clear-eyed Cloke arrives at the outer suburban building site, ready for another day in his new career as an apprentice builder and carpenter.

It might be cold enough to freeze the innards of a spirit level, but Cloke doesn't mind at all. He likes the idea of living in the real world. It's something his father, David, and mother, Julie, have drummed into him from the moment he first pondered a career as a professional sportsman. More than most 23-year-olds, he knows the importance of self-reliance.

Now he's left the family home in Ringwood and moved in with his girlfriend, Nicole Dorwood, in Yarraville, he's putting into practice those lessons, working with a home builder during the week and, in his spare time, renovating two houses purchased by his younger brothers, and Magpie teammates, Cameron and Travis.

"I've always wanted to be a bit of a builder and handyman so I've decided to knock off my apprenticeship," Cloke explained this week. "Mum and Dad always said footy could finish in no time. One day you could have an injury, a car accident, anything. You've got to have something to fall back on."

Footy is not about to finish any time soon for the Collingwood defender, but he has reached a point where circumstances have conspired to make him at least wonder about his future.

From a permanent fixture in the Magpie defence, much lauded for his courage and commitment to the team cause, he has become an afterthought at the selection table, reduced to two senior games this season and a new life as a stalwart in the blue-and-gold of Collingwood's VFL feeder team, Williamstown.

Now, while he's happily immersed in his new apprenticeship, his paramount challenge in life remains the rebuilding of his AFL career. He's not the only player fighting permanent exclusion at Collingwood, of course. A similar situation confronts the 2000 Brownlow medallist and now regular Williamstown teammate, Shane Woewodin. But he's about to turn 29 and is well down the other side of the mountain. Cloke is six years his junior and still at base camp, looking longingly to the peak.

Cloke's situation is instructive for any young aspirant in this sport. The pathway through his rookie season, in 2002, was strewn with accolades and high achievement, until he missed the Grand Final through suspension.

As devastating as it was for him, the massive amount of public attention his case received reflected the stature he'd already reached in the game. Thus, when the AFL's official guide to the 2003 season said of him "a long and distinguished career is predicted", wise heads nodded in agreement.

Between then and now, though, his 63-game career hasn't so much slowed as stalled. His "little" brothers were but two of many teenage Magpie fans who watched him from the stand, hoping that one day they, too, might be out there with him. Although the trio played one memorable game together this year, Jason is now the grandstand spectator watching them forge their own senior careers.

He betrays no sense of envy, declaring his only emotion is joy for them. But, as determined as he is to present the face of the committed club man who will work uncomplainingly until he drops to regain his position, it is obvious that there is a lot of confusion and hurt mingled in with the understandable frustration that accompanies such a rapid fall from favour.

The confusion comes from the fact that he continues to rate highly in the best players each week at Williamstown but, apart from games against St Kilda and Fremantle in Rounds 6 and 7, when a vacancy opened through injury, his name goes no further than the emergency slot each week. It's the same this week for tonight's match against the Brisbane Lions.

"I'm playing probably the best footy I've ever played," he said. "Everyone said I played great footy in my first year, but I reckon I'm better than that at the moment. I'm running more, I'm feeling stronger. It's just a matter of time before I get back in the seniors and everyone can see it."

The hurt comes from the fact that he believes he was unfairly targeted after the 112-point loss to Fremantle. "There was one bloke dropped that week after getting beaten by 100 points and it was me. So it must have been my fault that we lost," said Cloke, who was lambasted in the media after having several goals kicked on him by Fremantle stars Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin.

"It's not just one bloke who loses a game of footy. There's 18 out there. When you get the (opposition) midfield pushing down and kicking to the forwards straight out in front of them, there's not a lot you can do to stop it. I got in the best the week before (against St Kilda) so I obviously did something right. But when we got flogged I was the one who dropped out of it."

Although he was obviously wounded by his treatment, Cloke says he was able to put it to one side. "I went back to Willy the next week and was best-on-ground again. That's all I can do. Just keep putting my name up," he said.

It's an attitude which endears Cloke to everyone at Collingwood. "He really has been fantastic, typical of Jason," Collingwood football manager Neil Balme said. "He's got a terrific attitude towards things. He's pretty uncomplicated. He prepares and competes really well. He gives you everything. You can't ask for more than that."

But they have, and continue to ask for more of Cloke. And the question remains whether he can produce it.

Cloke's demise came as he endured some pretty intense scrutiny from opposition clubs and the media. While he was seen as a highly successful defender in 2002, mainly playing loose in defence and coming over the top of packs to spoil, he began to disclose weaknesses – poor kicking to a target, inconsistent marking and an inability to play tightly on a man – as clubs began to work him out and pressure him.

To this end, Balme said Mick Malthouse and the coaching staff had implored him to try to improve these weaker elements of his game. "He's really worked very hard on things like playing more man-on-man. He's been very good," Balme said.

Not quite good enough, yet, to squeeze his way into a defence that is the most settled part of an improving team. But the message isn't all negative.

"They keep telling me I'm doing everything right and it's only a matter of time," Cloke said. "He (Malthouse) wants me to play hard one-on-one footy and I'm doing it. I've had no goals kicked on me so I'm doing something right. And I'm also getting plenty of the footy. I had 20-odd touches last week. I'm getting that every week."

Cloke believes he suffers from an ill-informed portrayal of him as a one-dimensional player. "I get nailed with criticisms all the time. People say I'm slow, I can't kick or do this and that. But I must be doing something right to be on an AFL list," he said.

Indeed, despite his failed flirtation with the forward line in the 2003 Grand Final, he would welcome another chance to develop as a forward.

"I'd love to get the opportunity to play up forward. So it didn't work in one game. That doesn't mean I couldn't do it now. I love playing there. I played every game in junior footy on the ball or forward. I never played down back in my life until I came to Collingwood. I've changed the way I play. I'm not just the bloke who drops off and comes over the top to spoil. Times change. I'm much more developed in my body. I've dropped 6kg this year. I've moved out of home and no longer have Mum's cooked dinners every night.

"I reckon I've also developed my skills. And I'm getting plenty of the ball, plenty of bounces, plenty of run and I'm hitting all my targets. I haven't missed a target all year.

"When I started I used to get the ball and bomb it. And I'd punch a lot. Now I'm going for my marks and getting 10-15 a week. When I came into the AFL it was so quick I would get it and kick it as fast as I could. Now I've learned you don't need to rush it; you've got time. It's a growing-up thing."

As much as he works hard to please his masters, Cloke retains more than a little frustration. He can't work out why he was being condemned for his original style of play, which, he says, is based on the team ethic.

"More or less I'm being told now I'm not playing AFL footy because I'm too team-orientated. If I'm helping out a teammate playing that way, but not getting a game, should I become more selfish? I can say to the coaches: `Yeah, I'll go back and do nothing but stop my bloke. I won't come over the top and spoil. I won't help out.' But that's me. That's how I play. Footy's a team game. When you sing the song you're not the only one singing it."

Cloke, who has another season to run on his contract, is also a realist who knows that he achieves nothing by going against the grain. "Do I get frustrated and ********ed off I'm not playing senior footy? Yeah, I do. It gets frustrating when you are emergency every week. But I've just got to go back and play in the `twos'. There's no use me pulling out my hair. I'm not the sort of bloke to do that, anyway. I still enjoy going to the footy and watching Cam and Trav run around. It would be good to see the three of us running around again. But if I go somewhere else we've at least played one game together."

I suggested to Cloke that he sounded resigned to failure in his mission to regain a permanent spot in the seniors.

"I don't want to play `twos' footy all my life. When I was growing up all I wanted to do was play AFL footy. That's still my goal. I don't care where I play it. I just want to play. They've told me to hang in there, that there's a few blokes who are a bit older and anything could happen. But if they think I'm playing crap footy and I get the arse, well, there's 15 other clubs out there who might be looking for someone. We'll just see what happens."

As the negative thoughts make fleeting intrusions into his mind, he insists he will never give up hope. "It's just a matter of time before I get another opportunity. And as soon as I get it you are not going to get me out of the side."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sounds like he is pretty happy with his form, even if no one else is.

I found this quote interesting:

"I don't want to play `twos' footy all my life. When I was growing up all I wanted to do was play AFL footy. That's still my goal. I don't care where I play it. I just want to play. They've told me to hang in there, that there's a few blokes who are a bit older and anything could happen. But if they think I'm playing crap footy and I get the arse, well, there's 15 other clubs out there who might be looking for someone. We'll just see what happens."
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Vinnie Vegas

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Oct 8, 2004
Posts
11,925
Likes
2,641
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Collingwood VFL
#2
I was of the impression that we should keep him around a while longer, but maybe it would be for the best if we looked for a trade for him...
 

magpies42

Premiership Player
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Posts
3,232
Likes
895
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
collingwood
#4
give the kid another chance, he obviously rates himself evn if no1 else does! Give him a chance and if he cocks it up give him the flick! he reckons he hasnt mised a target all year! well if that is teh case and he has had a goal kicked on him liek he says then you'd have to be crzy to drop him! woudlnt you?! or is he just full of himself?
 

rychenroller

All Australian
Joined
Sep 18, 2003
Posts
709
Likes
1
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
#6
He whined a lot....he never said himself that he is still a defender and its very very hard to get a spot in our defence, its our best aspect. What does he expect?
 

Z_K

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Feb 21, 2002
Posts
23,474
Likes
186
Location
Geelong
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
none
#7
Sorry to intrude, but as I read that this morning I could almost hear Malthouse taking the lid of his red pen.
 

Jabso

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Apr 13, 2001
Posts
20,512
Likes
440
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Tottenham
#9
He's not a bad player to have as depth. We should keep him on for another year unless he asks for a stupid price, because we don't have depth in the key defender department.
 

eddiesmith

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Posts
46,439
Likes
4,556
Location
Junktion Oval
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
England Cronulla
#10
He isnt out of contract, dont worry if Mick doesnt want him, he will be playing first 22 AFL football next year. And judging by tonights performance, for a better team than Collingwood
 

Terry Tan

Club Legend
Joined
May 15, 2005
Posts
2,458
Likes
368
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Oakland Raiders
#11
he can come to Richmond, we need some young strong defenders. TW will make him a better player, something obviously Mick can't.

We'll have Tarrant as well if you don't want him.

Both for a 3rd rd draft pick. Sounds like a fair deal.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Lestat

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 16, 2002
Posts
7,356
Likes
41
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Arsenal
#12
Terry Tan said:
he can come to Richmond, we need some young strong defenders. TW will make him a better player, something obviously Mick can't.

We'll have Tarrant as well if you don't want him.

Both for a 3rd rd draft pick. Sounds like a fair deal.
******** off troll!
 

goalpie

Premiership Player
Joined
Mar 29, 2005
Posts
4,734
Likes
15
Location
Up a crack
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Pink Sydney Swines
#13
Natural tougthness, Takes courages marks but is not accountable in a defensive manner. Geez where are we lacking that sought of player, maybe in attack. Our attack is so week and feeble, its about time someone with a bit of strength was put down there. I always thought he could play a similar role as Hamill does, break open packs and open up the forward line. I think Hamil would go as well as Cloke in defence.
 

grayza

Club Legend
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Posts
1,497
Likes
6
Location
Backstage
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Fulham
#14
would be a fair chance of coming in this week i feel if essendon pick a tall forward line again, Lloyd, Lucas, Johns and even Hird down there, there would be a matchup for him
 
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Posts
1,140
Likes
6
Location
Canberra, Australia
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Liverpool, Giants
#15
Stuff Malthouse, Clokey should be getting a run in the seniors this week.

MM is a stubborn prick, he picks ******** like Chad Morrison, Andrew Williams, Matthew Lokan etc. But he wont give players like Jason Cloke a fair go.

I dont think Malthouse will have his contract renewed at the end of next year, time the Pies tried somone like Gary O'Donnell.
 

eddiesmith

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Posts
46,439
Likes
4,556
Location
Junktion Oval
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
England Cronulla
#17
I am going to enjoy him strive under a good coach at a better club next year where he will get a fair go and do a damn good job

I would love to see him play forward at his new club against us head to head with maxwell, would be funny as Jase would towel him up because Maxwell plays to loose. Then lets see what people think of their golden child and their most hated player
 

bucksisbest

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 27, 2002
Posts
6,426
Likes
1,637
Location
Club Silencio
AFL Club
Collingwood
#21

I suppose one thing I'll miss when Jason's gone is expressions like these , the last time I think one of his expressions was used in an AFL match was when Pavlich waltzed around him to kick his 3rd 15 minutes into the first as Jason lay sprawled across the turf.
 

pieman1

Club Legend
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Posts
1,035
Likes
7
Other Teams
collingwood
#22
Lets examine some facts regarding Jason. His first 2 years he played well as a loose man in defence which is the easiest gig in football. Then clubs made him accountable and he struggled. He has played 2 games this year and he stitched up Hamill in the first and was flogged in the other. Our back six is settled at the moment so there is no spot for him. While he is waiting for an opportunity he is playing as an accountable CHB and catching up on the development he missed when being used as a loose man. Thats probably his best position and he should be given a chance to settle in there. There are a large percentage of people on the Collingwood board who are great at pointing out problems but struggle to come up with solutions.
 

goalpie

Premiership Player
Joined
Mar 29, 2005
Posts
4,734
Likes
15
Location
Up a crack
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Pink Sydney Swines
#24
pieman1 said:
Lets examine some facts regarding Jason. His first 2 years he played well as a loose man in defence which is the easiest gig in football. Then clubs made him accountable and he struggled. He has played 2 games this year and he stitched up Hamill in the first and was flogged in the other. Our back six is settled at the moment so there is no spot for him. While he is waiting for an opportunity he is playing as an accountable CHB and catching up on the development he missed when being used as a loose man. Thats probably his best position and he should be given a chance to settle in there. There are a large percentage of people on the Collingwood board who are great at pointing out problems but struggle to come up with solutions.
Exactly and guess what, Wakelin is 31 this year, Clement is 29 and Presti is 28. Can anyone here the alarm bells starting to go of.
 

Nardz

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Sep 17, 2003
Posts
7,030
Likes
140
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
NUFC
#25
eddiesmith said:
I am going to enjoy him strive under a good coach at a better club next year where he will get a fair go and do a damn good job

I would love to see him play forward at his new club against us head to head with maxwell, would be funny as Jase would towel him up because Maxwell plays to loose. Then lets see what people think of their golden child and their most hated player
you're obviously forgetting how well he performed, and how comfortable he looked when he was put in our forward line.

The kid hasnt got an attackin bone in his body. To leave him in the forward line, to put it simply, would be stupid.

That said, he should be given a go this week, at worst we could play him at the bench. Yes our defence has been very solid this year, and there's no one in need of a spell, but it would be quite foolish to leave it that way when 3 of the defenders are in their late 20s/early 30s. If we were in a position to try and win a premiership ok, but we're not, and we should be looking towards the future.
 
Top Bottom