Richmond set to make a pitch for Collingwood forward Travis Cloke

DAMIEN Hardwick has lauded Travis Cloke as “a great player”, but refused to comment on a push to secure a trade for the Collingwood forward.

Travis Cloke. Picture: Sarah Reed

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has lauded Travis Cloke as “a great player”, but refused to comment on a push to secure a trade for the out-of-favour Collingwood forward.

The Tigers are set to make a pitch for Cloke, who has been dropped to the VFL for the third time this year, with reports that the forward’s father David has already held initial discussions with the club’s list manager Blair Hartley.

Hardwick would not be drawn on Cloke, other than to highlight how he always had a good record on Tiger defender Alex Rance until recent seasons.

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“Absolutely he has hurt us a number of times over the course of his career,” Hardwick said. “Funny enough, he was probably Alex’s nemesis there for awhile, but Alex has managed to move above him in the last couple of years.

“But he (Cloke) is a great player; there is no doubt about that.”

The Tigers are continuing to confirm their list for 2017 by locking away first-year young gun Oleg Markov, who made his debut in Round 16, until the end of 2018.

Travis Cloke playing in the VFL last week. Picture: David Crosling

And defender David Astbury has also inked a new three-year contract after recovering from a spate of injuries.

“At only 25 years of age we feel Dave is entering his prime as a player,” Tigers football boss Dan Richardson said.

“He has provided our defence with stability this season, and we are sure he will continue to develop his game and leadership at the club.

“He’s worked hard, is held in high regard around the club, and we feel the security of a three-year contract extension is well deserved.”

The Tigers also recently re-signed ruckman Shaun Hampson and Sam Lloyd, but with several players in limbo, including forward Ty Vickery, Richmond remain in the market for more players.

When pushed about his club’s interest in two-time All Australian Cloke, who is 29, Hardwick was guarded.

“From our point of view, we will keep our cards close to our chest,” he said. “Once again, (it is) a list management decision and we don’t comment on it.”

Cloke had the choice of Collingwood or Richmond under the father-son rule at the end of the 2004 season, but chose the Magpies.

A possible move to Punt Rd would have a sentimental feel to it, as his father started at Richmond, moved to Collingwood before playing out his last two seasons with the Tigers.

Damien Hardwick won’t be drawn on Richmond trading for Travis Cloke. Picture: Getty Images.

The Western Bulldogs have also been linked to Cloke.

Hardwick said it was only natural some Richmond players could be playing for their careers over the next fortnight, as the club looks to close out a disappointing season with games against St Kilda on Saturday, and Sydney at the SCG next week.

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“It’s a cutthroat industry, but those decisions get made at the end of the year,” he said.

“We’ve been very disappointing this year, we haven’t played well enough in a lot of areas. The challenge for us is to get better.”

He was excited to see some changes in personnel as well as trialling some new things in the last two games with an eye on next season.

“We are looking at things that may take us forward, including personnel,” the coach said.

Originally published as Richmond set to make a pitch for Collingwood forward Travis Cloke