Tigers ready to pounce on ClokeThe Australian
18 August 2016Richmond are poised to make a bold play for out-of-favour Collingwood forward Travis Cloke, just over a decade after missing him as a father-son selection.
The Tigers could land two big fish in the post-grand final player exchange period, as they are also favoured to secure out-of-contract Gold Coast Suns midfielder Dion Prestia.
Cloke’s father, David, a two-time premiership player and captain of Richmond, acts as his son’s agent and is understood to have already held informal talks with Tigers list manager Blair Hartley, acting with the blessing of senior coach Damien Hardwick.
While at least two clubs have made inquiries, Richmond hold the frontrunning for Cloke, 29, who is playing his third stint in the VFL this season due to poor form.
Cloke is contracted to Collingwood for next year but the Magpies will let him go for the right deal. It remains unclear whether they will pay some of the final year of Cloke’s guaranteed remuneration to get that deal done, which has become common practice.
It is also unclear what Richmond will offer in exchange for Cloke but Collingwood could do with draft picks if they are looking to bring in players from other clubs.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said earlier this week they would again be taking an aggressive approach to trade week after securing several players from rivals last year, topped off by Adam Treloar from GWS.
After being hotly chased by Carlton and Fremantle when he was last coming out of contract, Cloke re-signed with the Magpies on a long-term deal. His earnings this season are about $900,000, but drop to $500,000 next year.
Richmond’s pursuit of Cloke is expected to intensify if and when they are informed that Ty Vickery wants out via free agency.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-set-to-make-play-for-out-of-favour-magpie-travis-cloke/news-story/fd0b598cc13b7a29806a002a1d3d21a4
