Travis Cloke at CHB?

[TheClokes]

Is it time to play him Centre Half Back?
Give him a rest from Centre Half Forward.

 

[prO]

Re: Travis Cloke

I dont think he needs a rest... I think he needs to learn how to give the ball off when hes in a situation that warrants the ball to be passed. The last couple of games Ive seen him play, there were opportunities for him to set other players up - and yet chose to launch it straight for goal & missed.

Nothing wrong with having belief in your own ability, my concern is when its not the percentage thing.

 

[Cyclops]

Re: Travis Cloke

Dunno whats wrong. He showed a flash just before half time withe a couple of fanatstic efforts and then he went wobbly again. kickings lacking authority, his hands are unsure and he's in a rough patch.

I don't think he's far off. If its an injury maybe rest him vs Essendon, we need all players to run all day on Wednesday.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Re: Travis Cloke

Play him in the ruck.

 

[ant22]

Re: Travis Cloke

has been the biggest dissapointment of the season so fare for me. I actually think they may need to drop him for a couple of games. I dont see the point in trying to make him a defender. We need him as a forward and thats what he was recruited for. We have another up and coming defenders

 

[doppleganger]

Re: Travis Cloke

The problem is everybody has ridiculously high expectations of T.Cloke. He is a third year KP player who is still developing being asked to play the hardest position on the ground. He hasn't set the world on fire, yet hasn't been rubbish either.

For a 3rd year key forward to take 7-8 marks a game as a hit up target is a solid return, he needs to add goal kicking to his game tho

The port game was the worst possible conditions for KP forwards, so he was always in line for a poor game IMO.

Which other KP forwards from his draft are playing his role, Roughead at the Hawks is struggling to get a game..........Cloke needs to be given time

 

[likka]

Re: Travis Cloke

The same deficiencies that make him an ordinary CHF will also make him an ordinary CHB.

Very overrated player.

 

[Maxwell#27]

Re: Travis Cloke

The main problem with his game at the moment is his disposal, but other than that he's working really hard, getting to alot of contests and thats one of the main things you look for in a CHF. He's only 20, we all know he can play, absoloutley dominated against the hawks last year and in all our practice matches this year (which doesn't mean much) but the kid can play.

 

[Pie Fight]

Re: Travis Cloke

The main problem with his game at the moment is his disposal, but other than that he's working really hard, getting to alot of contests and thats one of the main things you look for in a CHF. He's only 20, we all know he can play, absoloutley dominated against the hawks last year and in all our practice matches this year (which doesn't mean much) but the kid can play.

He is getting to the contests as much as possible and getting plenty of the ball. Hopefully soon it will all click and he will start to take over some of these games. Needs more time, how much I don't know but I believe it's best left up to the coaching staff to determine that.

 

[MarkT]

Re: Travis Cloke

I would have said no a while back but I am starting to come around for 2 reasons:
1. We are hopeless in the ruck and he could only improve it;
2. He is average far more often than not at CHF and Fraser may be better for not having to run around so much.

On his ability though I have a real concern about his hands. They aren’t strong enough – ie he doesn’t hold enough marks. Same problem as Fraser. They both also go to groundto easily.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Re: Travis Cloke

I'd say "no" to CHB, because I wouldn't want to move Clement.

Trying him in the ruck may be worth a go. In all honesty, I'm happy to keep him at CHF and gain experience. We're not in the running for the flag this year.

 

[Cassius_Clay]

Re: Travis Cloke

He was shocking against Port Adelaide

 

[Stifler's mom]

Re: Travis Cloke

He was shocking against Port Adelaide

Thank you captain obvious.

 

[david_345]

You can see that he absolutely shits himself when he gets the ball. He starts to panic and second guess.

He needs to be dropped and play a few games for Willi to regain some confidence in his disposals.

 

[Jabso]

Re: Travis Cloke

Other KPP players in the 2004 draft:

Still on the list
#2 Roughead
#5 Franklin
#6 Williams
#15 L.Dunn
#16 A.Pattison
#19 Willits
#23 Rusling
#25 Hartlett
#27 Garner
#30 Lee
#36 McGuane
#39 T.Cloke
#48 N.Ablett

Gibson (28), Wells (22) are gone.

Now I know none of us are saying he should be gone but in terms of development and performance Cloke is easily in the top 5. The rest of KPP drop away a bit and have been given alot of time to develop in the reserve sides (VFL/SANFL/WAFL). It just shows how long Key possie players take.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Re: Travis Cloke

Cloke just needs some confidence and a kicking boot, and he can still turn it around. We can't just chuck him to CHB...he is our future CHF! Infact, he is our current CHF!

 

[gormanisahack]

Re: Travis Cloke

Other KPP players in the 2004 draft:

Still on the list
#2 Roughead
#5 Franklin
#6 Williams
#15 L.Dunn
#16 A.Pattison
#19 Willits
#23 Rusling
#25 Hartlett
#27 Garner
#30 Lee
#36 McGuane
#39 T.Cloke
#48 N.Ablett

Gibson (28), Wells (22) are gone.

Now I know none of us are saying he should be gone but in terms of development and performance Cloke is easily in the top 5. The rest of KPP drop away a bit and have been given alot of time to develop in the reserve sides (VFL/SANFL/WAFL). It just shows how long Key possie players take.

Yeah very good points you make there jabso. Also most of those players are playing FF and are not out at CHF. At the moment I think we must persist with him at CHF. He is making it to more contests than he ever has and his skills will improve greatly under pressure given another 20-30 games. What could we possibly gain by sending our developing CHF to CHB? Without Rusling and Buckley too much pressure will be placed on Rocca in the foward line.

 

[HFF]

Re: Travis Cloke

No! He is a MUST at CHF, whilst he is not setting the world alight he has not been all that bad. I think our problem is we need to introduce a 3rd tall into our forward line to relieve some pressure of Rocca and Cloke- this is where Rusling would have been handy, however due to circumstances out of our control (injury) we have been using maxwell as our utility player/3rd tall. What I'd do is the following:

Move Maxwell back into the defensive half and play him sparingly in the forward 50 (75-25) sought of what wce do with adam hunter but id like to see him have more of a permanent def50 role as our 2nd/3rd tall backman with presti and jimmy- i think Obrien and Cox are versatile enough to play on the medium or smaller types but so can clement so that adds more flexibility to our defence.

and

would bring in Reid- IF and only IF he is ready to play as the 3rd tall option. This would relieve Cloke and give much more freedom as he wont be the only tall target outside of Rocca to go to.

Thoughts???

 

[Big Bryza]

Re: Travis Cloke

FFS he isnt that bad... He's 20years old playing in the toughest spot on the ground. Give him a bloody chance to make it. Bloody hell some people are so deluded and have obviously never played this game long enough or at a high enough level to understand CHF is a tough spot, especially in your 3RD! season and as a 20year old, playing in a side renowned for poor kicking. The boy can play and i can't wait till he comes good and we'll see how many people jump back on him.