Key Richmond figures at odds over whether Tigers should make play for Collingwood star Travis Cloke By staff writers
FOX SPORTS
July 26, 2012 The Richmond hierarchy appears to be at odds over whether the club should make a play for Collingwood forward Travis Cloke.
With contract negotiations between Cloke and the Magpies on hold, the Tigers have been regarded as one of the key suitors for the power forward, who becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Richmond head of football Craig Cameron on Tuesday night said the club was "duty bound to investigate all options" in regards to Cloke, but president Gary March says a tilt at securing the premiership player and Copeland Trophy winner would go against the club's development policy.
In an exclusive interview with FOX FOOTY's Eddie McGuire, March said the Tigers aren't interested in landing a "big fish".
"Our key focus has been on re-signing our own stars and not going out and trying to get them from other clubs," March said.
"We've put a lot of time and effort into developing the Cotchins, the Deledios, the Martins, the Riewoldts, the Vickerys ... and pleasingly, we've kept all of those.
"We're not about going and getting a big fish from another club. We're about developing our own big fish.
"Unless you keep your group together, you're not going to win anything."
Tigers legend Kevin Bartlett urged Richmond to join the race for Cloke.
"I think they've definitely got to go for Travis Cloke," Bartlett told Fox Sports News.
"Could you imagine Travis Cloke on the forward line along with Jack Riewoldt? And you've got Cotchin, Deledio and Martin in midfield.
"The Tigers have lost five games this year by 12 points or less and I think most people understand they're a club on the rise and they've got very good young players.
"Cloke coming in at 25 years of age and playing as a key power forward gives Richmond and opportunity to take a big step."
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