Cloke

[WarrenerraW]

It's simple. He needs to have a big game this week and kick a bag of goals. The game against north was a good example of his capabilities up forward but that's all we've seen from him this year - nothing else. Ok, I'll admit that the delivery to him has been less than ordinary sometimes, and maybe he's not leading to the right spots or our forward line is too crowded or opposition teams have figured him out, and know to shut him down early to prevent him from having an influence in the game. He's a confidence player and has conceded himself that, if he gets into the game early then that lifts his confidence and effects his game thereafter. Maybe it's our game plan and the inclusion of white that's responsible also for his form?

Look we all know what the bloke is capable of, and that is to dominate opponents and take big marks. The scum have a shitty defense so this is his opportunity to tear them to shreds and kick half a dozen (goals) four behinds and one howler from 20 out on a slight angle on the full.

I thought forwards were given more leeway this year in terms of contesting a mark. That's basically giving him free reign to dominate defenders. Come on Clokey, it's time to lift and the time is now. Kicking 6 (goals) tonight would be a good start.

[Harrysz]

Travis played quite well against Essendon, particularly in the second half.
He didn't kick any goals (well, he kicked one but it was disallowed) but he contributed to some goals.
The goals will come.

[WarrenerraW]

True but what I'm getting at is these performances are few and far between. I want to see more from and find other ways of getting into the game. He looks a shadow of the player he was a couple of years ago when he was the most feared and physical forward in the league.

[slydog81]

If he could kick straight he would be the best fwd in the league.

His kicking this year has been terrible.

Hoping Reid's return free's him up a bit more.

[robevpau1]

Like Bucks, we need to focus more upon the overall team effort, rather than selecting and continually highlighting individual performances ... a players' overall contribution to the team effort, rather than 'individual highlights and downlights', should become the greater focus ...

[woftam]

Clokey was having kicking practice down at the Ponsford stand end before the game. Sprayed them everywhere. Was a bad sign. He must get on his bike & lead hard. Run his opponent into the ground & not let them hold him or double team him.

[MagpieBat]

[GlovemanGayfer]

"Modern football" is not about one player kicking goals any more it's about the spread of goal kickers. Statistically the bester your spread the better you do (thanks to 360 or one of those shows). Cloke's strength this year has been to play the role he has been asked to play while still offering a contest in the air and on the ground. It would be fantastic to see him kick a bag but if the team wins and he does his job who really cares in the end? As Michael Jordan discovered in his career scoring 50 each night doesn't bring championships but working harder to play the team game does.

[mattys123]

The Cloke of old where he took 10-12 contested marks and averaged 2-3 goals a game is gone sorry people, and it's got more to do with the modern game than anything else.

Unless you work your arse off like Riewoldt does (Nick, not sooky boy Jack) then you aren't going to take 10-12 marks a game now.

I think the club would be quite happy with Trav's last 3 weeks, his goal assists have been huge in that 3 weeks period.

And that's one thing that Cloke will be judged on now, GOAL ASSISTS.

Last week in that second quarter he contributed to at least 3 of our 6 goals, if not more.

He doesn't "need" a big game tonight score wise, but it would be nice to see still.

[MJ23]

[King Monkey]

Check out Cloke's goal tallies in:
2010 - Premiership year.
2011 - Our best ever Home & Away season.
2007 - He won the Copeland.

Much prefer 40-50 odd from Cloke & a chance at a flag, than 70 odd and finish about 7th or 8th.

[roar]

There is no denying that apart from the North game, Cloke has been out of form. I do back the big fella to get his mojo back soon (hopefully this week!), but I just cannot understand how a professional forward can be so bad at kicking for goal. Unacceptable, IMO, and they (club and Travis) need to do more to fix it.

[Culprit]

Clokes work rate off the ball has been sensational. The more White adjusts to the game plan the more White becomes dangerous thus taking more pressure from Trav. His defence pressure is enormous and has caused many turnovers which resulted in goals. Look at the bigger picture rather than the goals.

As for his kicking, if he thinks about it he misses. If he just wheels around and goes bang his accuracy is there.

[HAL]

I'm using dialup so I cant see your webcam.

[Az]

Getting tired of people saying we should be focused on a team effort rather than Clokey's individual output. Here's the cold hard facts. We will not get to a grand final without Cloke kicking goals full stop. This combination of getting blanketed by defenders and poor kicking for goal has taken out our greatest weapon, and unless we find a way to change that - we can kiss any flag talk goodbye for now. It's pretty clear by 7 rounds in that the scumps have made a decision that they're going to keep letting players constantly infringe on Cloke for the rest of the year. They're not blind. There's no possible way they could have not noticed how many times Cloke has earned a free by the rule book. So unless he takes his opportunities while he can, we are without that extra gear that will make us as dangerous a team as Hawthorne.