Rumour Cloke wants 5 years, we say pump the brakes

[Cousin of Daicos]

Age story

THE intrigue over Travis Cloke's future continues, with the star forward and the Magpies at loggerheads over the length of a new contract and a fifth club yesterday entering the fray.

Cloke's manager and father, David, yesterday revealed he had met with the Magpies on Monday, re-opening discussions after a four-week break as he awaited a Collingwood counter-offer.

It is believed Cloke, who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, has asked for more than $900,000 a year to remain a Magpie, which is about $150,000 more than the Magpies had initially offered.

David Cloke would not discuss financial terms, other than to say: ''I had a meeting with Collingwood yesterday [Monday]. They have come back with a couple of options we have discussed and are looking at,'' he said.

In all honesty, 5 years is too long for a 25 year old key forward personally. How many key forwards do you know still at the TOP of their game at 29 or 30?

Not many.

Still, no reason we shouldn't stretch to 4 if it gets him over the line.

edit: Just noticed this was the link TD used for his Luke Ball story. Wow, a whole article on Cloke and you grabd the 5 or 6 words about Ball? Cool.

 

[Giant Sphinx]

I'm not against giving him five years. One it keeps him a pie for life and we don't have to deal with David for a while. I guess it depends on how much he wants. Five years are a risk but for a power forward who would be hard to replace I would take the risk.

 

[jonbe54]

If the only sticking point is the length of the deal we are most of the way to signing him trust Walshy to bring home the bacon.

 

[entourage]

If we can pay him unders by giving him a 5 year deal I say go for it. If the 'extra' cash means we can hold onto Beams, Sidey, Reid etc. etc. I am all for it. Well worth the risk IF that is possible to hold onto them.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

This is what I was thinking entourage.

If we agree to the 5 years, but the caveat is less money for 5, then I'd go for it.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

I would rather give him 5 years than lose him. If this is the only sticking point, do it.

We could backend it slightly too as swan has said his current deal will be his last so that would free some cash. Also the cap may go up by the end of clokes contract and we can also put him on vets list. However, you have to be wary with back ended deals as no-one can predict the future.

 

[Football God]

How many years has trav been playing at the club for?

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

How many years has trav been playing at the club for?

He's been with us for 8.

But the thing is, Key position forwards are, for all intents and purposes done by 28. Trav COULD be an excpetion to the rule given his great injury history, but still a 5 year deal that starts AFTER this season would put him at Collingwood until he retires.

So I can only assume they're going to try and milk the Vet's list as part of his contract if they agree to 5 years.

Back end it so he gets the larger sum at the END of his career, when he won't be performing as well, but at least some of the salary is outside the Cap.

That's how I'd be approaching it if we're going to agree to 5 years. But personally, I wouldn't be putting Cloke on a 5 year deal. As I said earlier, how many Key Position forwards are anywhere near their best past 28?

 

[i_hate_scams]

three for good money,

four for slightly less

five years, three years for slightly less and the last two or reduced contracts. ala luke ball

 

[mattys123]

I feel the same as most here, that a 5 year deal is probably too long, but if Trav accepts it for less per year then what he is asking for now (900k if that is to be believed) then let's sign it now.

I'd be happy if both parties agreed to a 5 year, $4 Million dollar contract right now, let's end this shit.

 

[Thommo 42]

I'm happy for him to get 5 years, but not at $900k pa.

Needs to be $3.5m - $4m over 5 years loaded to suit the cap

 

[the distributer]

Age story




In all honesty, 5 years is too long for a 25 year old key forward personally. How many key forwards do you know still at the TOP of their game at 29 or 30?

Not many.

Still, no reason we shouldn't stretch to 4 if it gets him over the line.

edit: Just noticed this was the link TD used for his Luke Ball story. Wow, a whole article on Cloke and you grabd the 5 or 6 words about Ball? Cool.

That's what FA does, that's why we're seeing so many 5 yr deals, Sam Reid has one and he's a KF, i would prefer he signed for 5 years TBH, not sure about that much coin though, it would have to be back ended somewhat.

 

[mattys123]

Looks like it's Collingwood day in the Age;

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...ry-that-runs-hot-and-cold-20120529-1zhdx.html

THE player behind black-and-white door No. 1 is ''playing the best footy of his career'', according to his coach.
The player behind black-and-white door No. 2 is ''not in cracking nick'', the same coach conceded yesterday.

​

​

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...ry-that-runs-hot-and-cold-20120529-1zhdx.html


And the Rendell story grows legs;

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/pies-to-recruit-rendell-20120529-1zhfc.html

 

[the distributer]

He's been with us for 8.

But the thing is, Key position forwards are, for all intents and purposes done by 28. Trav COULD be an excpetion to the rule given his great injury history, but still a 5 year deal that starts AFTER this season would put him at Collingwood until he retires.

So I can only assume they're going to try and milk the Vet's list as part of his contract if they agree to 5 years.

Back end it so he gets the larger sum at the END of his career, when he won't be performing as well, but at least some of the salary is outside the Cap.

That's how I'd be approaching it if we're going to agree to 5 years. But personally, I wouldn't be putting Cloke on a 5 year deal. As I said earlier, how many Key Position forwards are anywhere near their best past 28?

I think he could be, he isn't the traditional bash and crash type CHF, he's more the endurance type, personally i would take the deal, we've seen enough of him to know he's a hard worker/big game player and an absolute star.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

That's what FA does, that's why we're seeing so many 5 yr deals, Sam Reid has one and he's a KF, i would prefer he signed for 5 years TBH, not sure about that much coin though, it would have to be back ended somewhat.

Sam Reid isn't 25 though.

 

[the distributer]

Sam Reid isn't 25 though.

But he's unproven really, would you swap Cloke for Sam reid right now?

Cloke is entering his prime, and other clubs know it.

 

[4#Didak#4]

Its hard to know what the offers really are. If David is pushing for a 5 year deal on $900k per year, that would have to be too rich and may explain why we haven't got it done. I think 3 years at $900k is possible, but if you want the extra 2 years for security (and totally understandable) then it needs to be at less money. Also we need to be able to structure the deal to front or back load.

I am totally down with 5 years but the dollars need to be right otherwise its too many eggs (golden eggs) in one basket.

Its going to be tough to get a deal done as Reid, Sidebottom & Beams are proving to be vital cogs that cannot be lost to gold line the Cloke deal. We need to be reasonable (with other players in mind), but not over the top and let him make a call.

Long term success is where we need to be focused on and a 5 year deal at $900K will undermine that. I will be pumped if he stays but if he goes I back the clubs decisions to not match massive offers as they are for the overall long term benefit of the team.

 

[jonbe54]

Its hard to know what the offers really are. If David is pushing for a 5 year deal on $900k per year, that would have to be too rich and may explain why we haven't got it done. I think 3 years at $900k is possible, but if you want the extra 2 years for security (and totally understandable) then it needs to be at less money. Also we need to be able to structure the deal to front or back load.

I am totally down with 5 years but the dollars need to be right otherwise its too many eggs (golden eggs) in one basket.

Its going to be tough to get a deal done as Reid, Sidebottom & Beams are proving to be vital cogs that cannot be lost to gold line the Cloke deal. We need to be reasonable (with other players in mind), but not over the top and let him make a call.

Long term success is where we need to be focused on and a 5 year deal at $900K will undermine that. I will be pumped if he stays but if he goes I back the clubs decisions to not match massive offers as they are for the overall long term benefit of the team.

Like most I would back a 750K X 5 year deal to keep the lad

 

[the distributer]

I just hope it gets done soon, it's affecting his Footy already IMO, we don't want a repeat of the Ablett/Geelong situation.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

5 years at 750K seems fair to me given the circumstances.

 

[HFF]

It will be a long term deal you would think.

Either 4 or 5.

Good to see negotiations still strong.

Matter of time before he signs.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

5 years at $700,000, take it or leave it, and tell us now!

 

[BVIB]

He'll stay, it's just a matter of settling on contract details that suit both parties.
I wouldn't mind him getting paid 800k a year but not more than that, otherwise we risk losing a sidey/beams etc

Imagine if pendles or another player came out and said 'i'll take a pay cut for the greater good of the club'. Would be absolutely rapt!

 

[danielnajdek]

5 years at $700,000, take it or leave it, and tell us now!

Yep agree.

Take 700K or leave and play for Freo and that crap coach Lyon.

No way in hell should we pay him 900K. He shouldn't get more then what Swan and Pendles are gettting. Yes his a KPP and they are harder to find but Swan and Pendles are clearly our two best players.

 

[Scodog10]

As I said earlier, how many Key Position forwards are anywhere near their best past 28?

I've seen this myth posted a few times and I simply have no idea where its sprouted from

Carey, Neitz, Lloyd, Lockett, Hall, Lynch, Sav Rocca, Ant Rocca, Lucas, Kernahan, Richardson, Tredrea, Bradshaw, Petrie and Dunstall all had either career best seasons or have kicked 50+ goals in a season at 28 or older (a feat Cloke's only achieved once).

Hell even a guy like J Brown at the age of 31 in a shit team is averaging more goals a game this year than Cloke. So there's no doubt in my mind that he can perforn at 28+. Therefore if a five year deal is what it takes to sign him, at what is perceived to be below market value, then give it to him.

FWIW my only concern is that his true market value has been inflated. I think he's worth $500-600 but no more. For our main go to man up forward I can only think of two games where he was the difference between us winning and losing. Whereas blokes like Pendles, Ablett and Judd are the difference a few times a season (maybe not so Ablett ATM). He's critical to our structure but IMO he isn't as valuable as Pendles and I hope the contracts reflect that.