A decent whack of cash you'd have thought to Beams.

Have the Filth resigned themselves to Cloke's departure? Sounds like it to me.

Just for the record my preferences for "trade week":

1. Cloke + Boak

2. Boak + Caddy

3. Cloke + Boak

There's just not enough money to sign on at the pies, he's gone. Does anyone see Cloke going interstate? Correct me if I'm wrong but the guy still lives at home - I don't mean this in a disparaging way, it's just given the freedom to live out of home, Travis has decided to stay at the nest. This kind of thing leads me to believe that he's probably chasing top dollar but top dollar in the city of Melbourne. (sure he may move out, but he probably likes [can't blame him] being in Melbourne).

At this stage, it's looking like Cloke in the r&b

Just for the record my preferences for "trade week":

1. Cloke + Boak

2. Boak + Caddy

3. Cloke + Boak

There's just not enough money to sign on at the pies, he's gone. Does anyone see Cloke going interstate? Correct me if I'm wrong but the guy still lives at home - I don't mean this in a disparaging way, it's just given the freedom to live out of home, Travis has decided to stay at the nest. This kind of thing leads me to believe that he's probably chasing top dollar but top dollar in the city of Melbourne. (sure he may move out, but he probably likes [can't blame him] being in Melbourne).

At this stage, it's looking like Cloke in the r&b

I can't make up my mind between option 1 and option 3

I have always thought Carlton are in the pole position and nothing has happened to change my view.

Will get as much as we offer from Carlton who are desperate for a big forward.

Chance to play finals football and a possible GF in the next three years.

Vs no chance of a GF in the length of his contract at the Dees and in the first three years there will be far more losses than wins.

It is Carlton for me.

I can't make up my mind between option 1 and option 3

I think option 2 has a better chance DC

Even then I don't want Caddy

I think its much liklier that he will be signing for carlton

I have always thought Carlton are in the pole position and nothing has happened to change my view.

Will get as much as we offer from Carlton who are desperate for a big forward.

Chance to play finals football and a possible GF in the next three years.

Vs no chance of a GF in the length of his contract at the Dees and in the first three years there will be far more losses than wins.

It is Carlton for me.

I agree. I think Carlton are a more attractive option (at present!) and he will probably end up there. Especially if the rumour about MM heading up the Blues next year are true.

I have always thought Carlton are in the pole position and nothing has happened to change my view.

Will get as much as we offer from Carlton who are desperate for a big forward.

Chance to play finals football and a possible GF in the next three years.

Vs no chance of a GF in the length of his contract at the Dees and in the first three years there will be far more losses than wins.

It is Carlton for me.

It might be hard for us to compete with the Visy brown paper bag strategy but I think there are some upsides for him to sign on with us. I don't agree we're no chance of a GF in the next three years. Given some clever trading, good coaching and culture change I'm confident things can be turned around very quickly. Call me a dreamer, but what are we if we have nothing to look forward to?.

I think option 2 has a better chance DC

Even then I don't want Caddy

oops...straight thru to the keeper

It might be hard for us to compete with the Visy brown paper bag strategy but I think there are some upsides for him to sign on with us. I don't agree we're no chance of a GF in the next three years. Given some clever trading, good coaching and culture change I'm confident things can be turned around very quickly. Call me a dreamer, but what are we if we have nothing to look forward to?.

Hi Dreamer it is nice to know you!

It might be hard for us to compete with the Visy brown paper bag strategy but I think there are some upsides for him to sign on with us. I don't agree we're no chance of a GF in the next three years. Given some clever trading, good coaching and culture change I'm confident things can be turned around very quickly. Call me a dreamer, but what are we if we have nothing to look forward to?.

I agree with you. 2014 we will be in the eight.

I agree with you. 2014 we will be in the eight.

Well RR I would never have guessed you were such a dreamer.

Every day brings a new surprise.

I have always thought Carlton are in the pole position and nothing has happened to change my view.

Will get as much as we offer from Carlton who are desperate for a big forward.

Chance to play finals football and a possible GF in the next three years.

Vs no chance of a GF in the length of his contract at the Dees and in the first three years there will be far more losses than wins.

It is Carlton for me.

If Cloak's motivation was to play finals and GF why would he leave the Pies?

He would seem to be seeking a a new challenge, and a new scene, as well as more cash. I'd suggest we are still a strong possibility given the Neeld and Leigh Brown connections...

Well RR I would never have guessed you were such a dreamer.

Every day brings a new surprise.

OldDee, I BELIEVE we're honestly to goodnessly on the right path this time.

Build a side around a spine of Cloke - Clark - Boak - Watts - Frawley and we will be up and about quicker than most can imagine.

OldDee, I BELIEVE we're honestly to goodnessly on the right path this time.

Build a side around a spine of Cloke - Clark - Boak - Watts - Frawley and we will be up and about quicker than most can imagine.

goodnessly - you are on a roll, leaving krudd in the dust

If Cloak's motivation was to play finals and GF why would he leave the Pies?

He would seem to be seeking a a new challenge, and a new scene, as well as more cash. I'd suggest we are still a strong possibility given the Neeld and Leigh Brown connections...

I think you are wanting the first two items to be true.

First he has a GF medal already and a big chance for another this year.

But lets not get confused here the only reason he is considering the move from the Pies is Money and a lot more.

If he then looks at the offers and for the sake of the discussion lets say the MFC and Carlton money offer is similar.

Which team would you go to.

Would not be a hard decision for Me.

OldDee, I BELIEVE we're honestly to goodnessly on the right path this time.

Build a side around a spine of Cloke - Clark - Boak - Watts - Frawley and we will be up and about quicker than most can imagine.

Hope you are right RR I just don't see us getting Cloke and Boak

We'd be spending a lot of coin over a lot of years on Cloke if he came to us. could it be better used spread over a number of players, as McLardy spoke of?

Yes, another big forward would be very handy. Cloke would probably be a good match for Clarke and give some of our other mid size fwds a better chance.

But I keep thinking that our priority is 2-3 QUALITY midfielders of the standard of Jones or better (but not necessarily players in the style of Jones).

For mine, it mids, mids and mids.

We'd be spending a lot of coin over a lot of years on Cloke if he came to us. could it be better used spread over a number of players, as McLardy spoke of?

Yes, another big forward would be very handy. Cloke would probably be a good match for Clarke and give some of our other mid size fwds a better chance.

But I keep thinking that our priority is 2-3 QUALITY midfielders of the standard of Jones or better (but not necessarily players in the style of Jones).

For mine, it mids, mids and mids.

Don't see any reason why we can't have both. With picks 3,4, 12 and hopefully Viney at pick 23 - we should be able to set up our midfield through the draft.

I think you are wanting the first two items to be true.

First he has a GF medal already and a big chance for another this year.

But lets not get confused here the only reason he is considering the move from the Pies is Money and a lot more.

If he then looks at the offers and for the sake of the discussion lets say the MFC and Carlton money offer is similar.

Which team would you go to.

Would not be a hard decision for Me.

Thats fair, I want the first two to be true. But there is no logic in leaving a team playing finals and GF for another that currently struggles to play finals (Carlton) for the difference of $100,000 p.a. after tax.

Big decisions are made on emotion, instinct and passion. Not logic.

With his decision I'd be meeting the coaches (Ratten vs Neeld) hearing their plans, and chatting to friends I may have at both clubs.

Then I'd imagine what success would feel like at both clubs.

And pick ...

We'd be spending a lot of coin over a lot of years on Cloke if he came to us. could it be better used spread over a number of players, as McLardy spoke of?

Yes, another big forward would be very handy. Cloke would probably be a good match for Clarke and give some of our other mid size fwds a better chance.

But I keep thinking that our priority is 2-3 QUALITY midfielders of the standard of Jones or better (but not necessarily players in the style of Jones).

For mine, it mids, mids and mids.

I agree about the mids but what a grade mids are available to pick up who are also unrestricted free agents. I say get the best available free agents as it doesn't cost us draft picks. If a heap of Mids were available as free agents I'd guess we would throw cash at them and pick up a forward in the draft but it looks as if it is reversed with Cloke wanting to go and not many A grade mids going anywhere

I have always thought Carlton are in the pole position and nothing has happened to change my view.

Will get as much as we offer from Carlton who are desperate for a big forward.

Chance to play finals football and a possible GF in the next three years.

Vs no chance of a GF in the length of his contract at the Dees and in the first three years there will be far more losses than wins.

It is Carlton for me.

Oh I hope so.

Then an investigation into their salary cap.

My mouth is watering at the prospect.

I thought recent comments by McLardy alluded that the Dees may be moving away from Cloke and focussing on mids. I saw this as a big play for Boak.

I say Cloke goes to Carlton. He'd look very money hungry if he came to us where if he goes to Carlton he can make the argument about chasing success.

He's probably also really impressed with their culture of not tanking

If Cloak's motivation was to play finals and GF why would he leave the Pies?

He would seem to be seeking a a new challenge, and a new scene, as well as more cash. I'd suggest we are still a strong possibility given the Neeld and Leigh Brown connections...

I also think that Cloke jrn and srn are selfish crazy bastards, in that they want top dollar and would be prepared to swap Melbourne-based clubs to get it. Nose despite his face, sort of. It's like they have some mad Spanish blood in their lineage.

Is Travis really as good as what David is pedalling ($1 mill plus p/a), partic in a bottom 4 club?

Do we really want David hanging around the MFC sticking his nose in more than he should?

Is it value for money if he gets very little supply?

I think Cloke is not excited by Buckley's reign, over the self flagellation at Collingwood, and looking for a new challenge.

The decision to join Melbourne would come with the prospect (and challenge) of being part of delivering our 13th premiership.

Neeld intimately knows the value he could bring so if we go hard for him, I trust the benefit will eventuate.

Too many people on here hedging their bets in case he picks another team, so they can say "we don't want/need him anyway".

We should always go hard to get the best.