In this interview with Rex Hunt, former Richmond and Collingwood big man David Cloke says that he was meant to come to Melbourne at the same time the club traded in Peter Moore and Kelvin Templeton. 

I was meant to go to Melbourne
 
Having Cloke at the club at that time might have helped speed up the improvement from a basket case in the early 80s to a finalist at the end of that decade but I suspect it wouldn’t have done much for the ethos of the club at the time.

Another thing about the Clokes is that early in the interview, he talks about how he and his brother Peter came from Hughesdale in Richmond’s local zone but I believe that Peter actually played in a few intraclub practice games with Melbourne before he started at the Tigers. 

An extremely overrated footballer. Couldn't kick, incredibly slow and undisciplined.

He left not long after and chased the coin to Collingwood.

 

  On 26/10/2019 at 02:27, phuket demon said:

An extremely overrated footballer. Couldn't kick, incredibly slow and undisciplined.

He left not long after and chased the coin to Collingwood.

 

I think he finished second behind Peter Moore for the 1984 Brownlow, played in a couple of premiership teams and captained the Tigers. 

While he often came across as being up himself, it’s hard on his record to say he was overrated.

I'd never heard this but we were reported to have had a crack at him and KB (!) in 1980. Hard to see where we'd have had the money to get him, Templeton and Moore at the same time.

Also, yes on Peter Cloke in MFC practice matches.

  On 26/10/2019 at 03:13, Elwood 3184 said:

I think he finished second behind Peter Moore for the 1984 Brownlow, played in a couple of premiership teams and captained the Tigers. 

While he often came across as being up himself, it’s hard on his record to say he was overrated.

If he was a Ruckman he averaged only 7 hit outs per game. 

If he was a forward he averaged less than a goal a game in a golden era for forwards. 

He played a lot of rubbish games. 

  On 26/10/2019 at 03:18, Supermercado said:

I'd never heard this but we were reported to have had a crack at him and KB (!) in 1980. Hard to see where we'd have had the money to get him, Templeton and Moore at the same time.

Also, yes on Peter Cloke in MFC practice matches.

Any info on whether Peter Cloke played in any MFC practice matches before he played for Richmond? I’m thinking late 60s.

Most are missing the point maybe he was over rated and not that good of a footballer, but gee image of we had Travis as a father and son

  On 26/10/2019 at 06:18, don't make me angry said:

Most are missing the point maybe he was over rated and not that good of a footballer, but gee image of we had Travis as a father and son

I truly feel for Travis, his goal kicking yips were a nightmare, could you imagine Demonland fuming about it. At his peak he looked like Kouta and and Darren Bennet rolled into one unit. I hope he has found some happiness. I always wanted him to have some success at the end of his career. Not against us of course.

David Cloke used to run the Celtic Club in Lonsdale Street. Perhaps he mellowed over the years? In any event, I found him to be an OK bloke.

 

  On 26/10/2019 at 05:16, Whispering_Jack said:

Any info on whether Peter Cloke played in any MFC practice matches before he played for Richmond? I’m thinking late 60s.

Nothing in my records or anybody called Cloke in the Unknown Players list. Can't rule it out because plenty of players would have gone through but I reckon he's a few years out on both this and when he was going to Melbourne.

Peter Cloke

DOB: 2 July 1951

From: Richmond/Oakleigh

Games: 0 (28 total)
Goals: 0 (4 total)
Career Statistics

The older brother of David Cloke debuted for the Tigers in 1970, and stayed there until leaving early in 1973 to join Oakleigh. He returned for another crack at league football with Melbourne for the 1974 pre-season, and kicked four goals in practice game.

The key position player didn't win a spot on the list and returned to Oakleigh. Played at North Adelaide from 1975 to 1981, Bordertown from 1982 to 1986 and again in 1988.

Lists
Other players

Media
Age - 25/03/1974

Links
Tigerland Archive
Wikipedia profile

Created by supermercado. Last Modification: Wednesday 27 February 2019 17:11:24 AEDT by Supermercado. (Version 3)

Source History Comments