The Cloke conundrum

[qldmagpie67]

On 360 last night Bucks made the comment when asked about Cloke that he was way down on form and confidence.
He said he needed to lift as our most experienced player
Today Cloke made a few comments when entering training that he needed to lift and as a experience player needed to show more
Basically it seemed reading between the lines it seems Bucks may have had a heart to heart with Cloke
There's been loads of speculation about his place in the team by media members and fans alike.
I'm wondering if fit this week whether he may have been told this is it play well or play seconds
Really saying pick Cox isn't the answer the big bloke is not the answer yet. Yes he could play as a second option and back up ruck but he wouldn't handle being the main target.
Moore is still learning the game and will be a star but isn't ready to be the number one target either.
Cloke is still our best option provided he plays anywhere near as good as he can.
His effort has been down along with many team mates but at his best he is a match winner
I think this week might be the game where it's been laid on the line to the players either step up or we will put players in who can
Saying that I'm guessing we won't make many if any changes other than those forced by injury
This game won't be season defining with a win or lose but it may be the determining game for a few futures at the club.
We need draft picks if we are to land a couple father sons so there might be some players playing for there long term futures at the club
So Mr Cloke time to step up and lead. You don't need to kick a huge bag kid 2 or 3 would be great but compete and contest at every chance crash some packs scatter some defenders make room for others.
Do that and we can win
Don't do it and you may be in line for a few games in the seconds

[swoop42]

Is this week really a good game to judge Cloke or any of our experienced players on?

I believe Essendon have some very good young players and there list is underrated and sound if they can hold on to the currently banned players but surely everyone saw this as a comfortable victory prior to the season commencing.

God knows we'd be using the player bans as a reason for our performance now if we could.

If it's a poor performance then yes we should judge Cloke because really he should dine out on an Essendon side without Hooker and Hurley.

Well a Cloke that is fit (in doubt) and in form (big doubt) would.

[think positive]

[CarringbushCigar]

We have a fractured playing group and honest feedback is impossible in the Buckley change room, which kinda makes the whole leading teams concept a total waste of time and money.

Pendles has indicated that players are playing poorly so that the pressure on Bucks will increase.

Given this environment it is is impossible to make calls on any of the playing group. This is why he has to go now.

We can't judge Cloke, or any of them whilst this coach is in the job.
This is why it is imperative he leave asap.
The players need clean air, that appears almost certain.

If the rumours are true about broken pacts, trying to sack Adams from the leadership group etc etc. And none of these have been denied and all appear probable.

After the fall out with Heater, Dids, Jolls, Bally, Wellers, Daisy, Harry, Walshy, Neon and god knows who else - Bucks got his new 'culture'.

Look at them now - its a joke.

How can Buckley have the respect of the 'group'?

Burnsy appears the type who could get them on board.
He might have to axe a few staff and possibly change the leadership group.

What I am sure of is that whilst things are as they are, the player's on-field performance can not be judged. The guy who is judging it is critically flawed.
The relationship management has been a disaster.

Just send him to Bali in a recruiting role FULL TIME and PERMANENTLY

[stui magpie]

[neil]

[Pies4shaw]

It's not even opinion. It's just flight of fancy.

[Big T]

Centre half back...

[MatthewBoydFanClub]

If you go along to training to watch them train, there is no evidence of a fractured playing group. Everything is as normal as watching any other AFL team train. The players are training hard. The coaches enjoy a good rapport with the players. Makes a good story to speculate on a rift between Buckley and his playing group to explain the bad start to the season, but the reality is that the players have lost form and opposition teams are playing better than us. Cloke is just one of a number of players who is down on form. The whole playing group needs to lift including Cloke.

[E]

[yin-YANG]

There is no rift or divide at the club - just a divide between our game style and that of the better teams!

I think Bux will most likely be sacked before the year is out - however I would like to see him given the best chance of making it work and if you want the job done well it will take time to canvass other coaches for the main job anyway. Just sacking Buckley and letting Burns fill in is not fair to Burns either. Give him a proper crack when the time is right.

The heat is on the senior players - all the players to perform - both individually and as a team - and clearly the heat is on the coach. Anzac day usually brings a massive reality check to everyone re footy and real issues and sacrifice. Hopefully the perspective allows our players and coaching staff the perspective to take the 'game' on and we see a Collingwood team committed and united in purpose!

[mattys123]

Play him at full forward, leave him there most of the time.

We are last, dead last for marks inside forward 50 and some of you actually believe dropping Cloke will help that?

Madness. Yes he hasn't been tearing the place down each week, but he's been better than most players in the 4 games we've played, not that it's that hard to be better than most at the moment.

It's hard to kick goals if you can't take marks inside 50, so leave him inside 50 thanks.

[Lazza]

[Lazza]

[Member 7167]