SC 2014 Profile: Travis Cloke

[dmac07]

Travis Cloke

Age - 26

Height - 196cm
Weight -108kg

2013 Games -21
2013 Ave - 94.7

Centuries - 6 (15 scores of 80+)
Highs - 195 v Rich, 128 v WB, 124 v StK
Lows - 36 v Freo, 63 v Ess, 68 v Syd

Price - $513,400
Pos - Fwd

Summary
Travis Cloke has always been a huge focal point of the magpies attack. Arguably the best contested mark in the competition,  and among the worst set shots at goal, one of the only men who can kick a goal from 60 on the boundry, but miss from 15 dead in front. Cloke is predictably unpredictable,  with a 2013 low of 36, and a massive high of 195 with a 15 mark, 7 goal performance against the tigers. Cloke has missed just 3 games in the past 4 years, making him very durable, and at 26 in the prime of his career.

Thoughts
What will Cloke deliver in 2014? The recent announcement of a change in marking interpretation, allowing greater use of strength, body work and holding of position for the season is sure to benefit Cloke more than anyone else. The recruitment of White is likely to prove better than that of Lynch, making it harder for teams to double team him. His kicking is likely to remain as up and down as ever but even a slight improvement would see his scores improve, as despite coming second in the Coleman, Cloke had almost 20 more shots on goal than anyone else in the competition. Preseason reports out of Collingwood also say Cloke has added even more muscle to his frame and is as fit as ever.

Prediction/Verdict
104 - I am seriously considering Cloke as a point of difference next year. 26 years old, the new marking interpretation,  the recruitment of White, and with the Pies likely to have a similar number of wins, there are more reasons for his score to go up than not. That and lack of good reliable forward premiums (Danger/Martin aside), sees him in my team at the current time.

[Jroo]

Had him last year and he was ok.
If he was a better kick he'd be the best forward in the comp.
I'm considering him, but doubt I'll pick him, too inconsistent for my liking.

[Ricochet]

The recent rule change has made Cloke relevant for me. Atm my fwd line is full of risky value so might need to sure it up a bit with someone like Cloke.

[redfield]

My initial draft included him because I think the rule change will propel him to an average of about 105. However, at the moment I've removed him from my side because it doesn't really work with bye structure. If I am going to start with Cloke then I'm going to have to not start with either Dangerfield (lol as if) or Martin and I'm not keen on doing so at the moment.

[specky92]

The main reason people will be turned off is his bye I reckon, If I had him in my team I'd have Pendles, Selwood, Beams, Dangerfield, Dusty and Cloke out which would leave me pretty weak in round 8.

[Holz]

The main reason people will be turned off is his bye I reckon, If I had him in my team I'd have Pendles, Selwood, Beams, Dangerfield, Dusty and Cloke out which would leave me pretty weak in round 8.

exactly this Danger and Martin are locked i dont want 3 guns out round 8 with my midfield weak.

Will probably go roughy over him even though clokse is a slightly better pick. that round 9 bye is hard to find up front in both the rookies and premos.

[dmac07]

I wont be starting with Beams or Selwood so the rnd 8 bye doesnt worry me so much, plus the forward lins will be my first trades so likely to look different hy the byes anyway. Will be happy if others dont start him tho, as think he is the best pick outside danger/martin who absolutely evetyone will have anyway.

[_wato]

I wont be starting with Beams or Selwood so the rnd 8 bye doesnt worry me so much, plus the forward lins will be my first trades so likely to look different hy the byes anyway. Will be happy if others dont start him tho, as think he is the best pick outside danger/martin who absolutely evetyone will have anyway.

I won't be starting Dusty. Call me crazy but I'm not at this stage, will upgrade to him.