Travis Cloke Biography

Travis Cloke announces his retirement after failing to find form and battling depression at the Western Bulldogs.

"Social media's brought a whole new element to pressure and I guess I was probably fighting something for a few years. I probably matured a lot in the last couple of years that I didn't really know about, an issue that I was pretty naive about," Cloke said.

"I probably pushed it away for a long time.

"Was this decision based off what I was going through this year? No, I think it was a decision between the Western Bulldogs and myself to have a bit of a chat. I'm a mature adult now, I'm not the 17-year-old kid that started in this industry 13 years ago.

"It's something that I'm disappointed with, the way my career finished."

Tom Boyd returns to training with the Bulldogs after taking leave to deal with clinical depression.

Fellow big man and Bulldogs teammate Travis Cloke played in the VFL last Sunday after dealing with his own mental health issues and booted three goals against Sandringham.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says a lack of enjoyment from football has been one of the major factors in Travis Cloke taking time away from playing.

"We have had some conversations around trying to approach the game with an open mind and enjoying it, and he obviously hasn't been," Beveridge said.

"There's a seriousness in the sport, and finding a way to enjoy it and absolutely do your best is a challenge.

"The pressure of the game is one thing, but Travis has got other things going on his life that are compounding the mental wellbeing side of things.

"Hopefully when he does come back he can find a way to enjoy (football) a little bit."

Travis Cloke will take an indefinite break from playing games to deal with mental health issues.

The Bulldogs announced that Cloke would continue to train at the club, but would not play games at any level while he addressed his mental health.

"Travis is very appreciative of how the club and his teammates have supported him and he will continue to take part in the training program as he manages the issue," the Bulldogs said in a club statement.

"A potential return to play date is undetermined at this stage."

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says Travis Cloke's omission from the Western Bulldogs' side to play St Kilda this week is not because of his costly brain fade in last week's loss to Geelong.

With the Bulldogs holding the momentum and a nine-point lead early in the last quarter, Cloke gave away a 50-metre penalty for abusing an umpire after being penalised for pushing Cat Joel Selwood in the back.

The Geelong skipper kicked a goal after Cloke's double indiscretion, starting a five-goal run from the home side that saw Geelong run out 23-point winners.

"His omission this week is to make sure he takes care of the things we need him to do as a key forward," Beveridge said.

"It's not something there is a lack of clarity around. I think he can be (in our best 22), absolutely."

Travis Cloke will miss the next 4-6 weeks with broken ribs after a late hit from Jack Ziebell in the Good Friday clash at Etihad Stadium.

Scans have confirmed the Bulldogs' fears after the key forward was taken to hospital following the three-point win over the Roos.

Liam Picken says Travis Cloke was not fazed by the hostile reception he received from Collingwood supporters when the Bulldogs faced the Magpies at the MCG.

"It doesn't really worry him too much (because) he was saying the (Magpie) supporters were getting into him when he played for Collingwood anyway," Picken said.

"We went back and kicked a goal and all the boys got around him."

Toby McLean says he is getting accustomed to giving new Bulldogs teammate and fellow forward Travis Cloke instructions.

"Because Travis is new to the club, he's keen to get to know the (forward) structures, and he's been asking us where to stand and where to go," McLean said.

"I’m quite a shy person, so it does take a while to speak up when I need to, but I'm gradually getting better.

"I'm only in my third year, so it's kind of weird helping out a 29-year-old.

"Travis has made a pretty big impact since coming to the club, and you saw (that) against Melbourne when he clunked all those marks."

Western Bulldogs recruit Travis Cloke says his presence will help the reigning premiers stay on top.

"I'm coming here to re-invent myself, learn a few things and to develop under the boys at the Western Bulldogs," Cloke said.

"My endurance running is normally a pretty good thing, but I will put myself in the best physical condition for the 2017 campaign.

"Hopefully I can bring the extra one or two per cent to the side and maintain the success that this club's got."

Travis Cloke is granted his wish by Collingwood to join the Western Bulldogs in exchange for pick 76 in this year's NAB AFL Draft.

"We've tracked Travis closely and believe he has a lot to offer with his endurance and contested marking ability, and will fit well within our current group of forwards," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"We're really pleased to have secured Travis and look forward to his contribution next season."

Brisbane finally secure key defender Jack Frost from Collingwood.

Frost nominated the Lions as his preferred club just days after the AFL Grand Final but it took until the final hour of the NAB AFL Trade Period to get a deal done with Collingwood.

The Lions receive Frost, pick No.76 and a 2017 third-round selection in exchange for a third-round and fourth-round pick in the 2017 NAB AFL draft.

Pick No.76 was on-traded by Collingwood after the Magpies received it from the Western Bulldogs in exchange for Travis Cloke.

"With Jack, all year we've been tracking key defenders," Lions list manager Peter Schwab said.

"At 24, even though he's only had a little experience he's still got plenty of football ahead of him.

"He's got great speed and is a good character, he's a perfect fit."

Travis Cloke says he is confident in his physical shape as he seeks a trade to the Western Bulldogs.

Cloke, 29, has been criticised by some commentators for being too heavy and not being versatile enough to adapt to the modern game.

"Everyone this year said I need to lose a few kgs, so if you all (media) want to come to the bathroom and weigh me, that's fine," he said.

"I've dropped (some weight) this year and the stress of footy also adds to it as well.

"I don't see a problem when I'm sitting at 103kg in the middle of an off-season.

"My (skinfolds) were very low this year. I don't think [I need to] reinvent myself."

Travis Cloke is willing to more than halve his pay packet to join 2016 premiers the Western Bulldogs.

Cloke has a lucrative one-year deal left with Collingwood, but the key forward is willing to forgo that to make a fresh start with the Bulldogs.

"Travis is going there, if he can, for very minimal money," Cloke's manager Paul Connors said.

"The money is irrelevant to Travis. He's earned good money along the way. It's a significant pay cut … over 50 per cent.

"(Travis is trying to) make a good football decision and when you've been good with your money – and that's what Travis has been – then you can make those decisions."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the club will do all it can to facilitate a trade for Travis Cloke.

"Travis is still with us even though he has asked to move on," Buckley said.

"Frankly, we will do what we need to do to grant him his wish."

Buckley said Cloke had nothing to apologise for in seeking new horizons, and he had given great service to Collingwood but added that the veteran had not had a good season.

"He really struggled through the pre-season for form, and in the first four weeks of the year he really struggled to have an impact in his role," Buckley said.

Travis Cloke nominates the Western Bulldogs as his destination of choice for 2017 after expressing a desire to be traded from Collingwood.

"I've enjoyed watching their (Bulldogs) footy I guess over the last two years to see how Bevo (coach Luke Beveridge) has changed their whole football club around," Cloke told Channel Nine.

"They play a very exciting brand of footy and I feel like I could improve their side but also they can get the best out of me and we can work something out there."

Travis Cloke officially requests a trade from Collingwood.

The key forward rang coach Nathan Buckley on Tuesday morning to advise the club that he wants to continue his career elsewhere in 2017.

"He's contracted to us (in 2017), but he's suggested that he wants to find out whether there's somewhere else for him to play," Collingwood football boss Neil Balme said.

"If he finds something then he needs to talk to us and the other club needs to talk to us and we'll consider it all."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has dismissed suggestions Travis Cloke will play his last game for the Magpies this weekend.

Cloke will return to the side to face Hawthorn at the MCG after his third spell back in the VFL this season.

"That's an external story, it's not ours," Buckley said.

"We don't take into account any of the external stuff. He has a contract for next year, he's next-best suited to the role that we need played on Sunday. We want to win a game of footy ... that's where our entire focus is."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has refused to address reports of the club's interest in Travis Cloke.

However, when asked if he had rated Cloke as a player across his 245-game career with Collingwood, Hardwick was quick to sing the spearhead's praises.

"Absolutely. He's hurt us a number of times over the course of his career, hasn't he?" Hardwick said.

"I think funnily enough he was probably Alex (Rance's) biggest nemesis there for a while. Alex has managed to move above him over the last couple of years, but he's a great player there's no doubt about that.

"But from our point of view we keep our cards pretty close to our chest."

Travis Cloke has been axed by Collingwood for the third time this season.

Cloke, who spent six weeks in the VFL mid-season, has been sent back to the lower level after kicking two goals in his past three matches.

He was part of a disappointing Collingwood forward line against Richmond last Saturday, kicking 1.1 and laying one tackle.

Collingwood is fined $1500 after Travis Cloke wore a non-compliant glove during the Pies' win over Greater Western Sydney.

Cloke wore the glove to protect two swollen fingers on his right hand, mistakenly believing it had been ticked-off by the AFL.

Travis Cloke wore a non-approved glove in the Magpies' wins over Carlton and Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, but the Collingwood forward has escaped penalty after assuring the AFL he will not do so again.

Cloke was a regular glove wearer in the past but had not worn one for about a year prior to injuring two fingers on his right hand ahead of Collingwood's round 15 clash against Carlton.

In an effort to protect his fingers, the Magpie veteran wore a slightly different glove to those he had previously worn, against the Blues and again last Saturday against GWS.

Cloke mistakenly believed the new glove had been approved by the AFL.

AFL football operations manager Mark Evans said the League would be assessing Cloke's case further.

"We normally like to see the gloves and test them in some fashion before giving approval," Evans told radio station 3AW.

"We've just received Collingwood's response to that today and we’ll deal with that tomorrow."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says forward Travis Cloke is benefitting from the hard work undertaken since he was dropped to the VFL earlier in the year.

Cloke was one of the Magpies' best in the 32-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday afternoon, booting four goals and pulling down 12 marks (five contested) to finish as the dominant forward on the ground.

"As big as it was blown up externally, all it is is [that] we think we can do better at senior level now and you need to do a bit more work, so he has approached that really well," Buckley said after the match.

"I don't think that this game is going to be the pinnacle of that. He is still going to reap the rewards of the work that he is doing at the moment.

"As we've said all along, we want to get him back to his best footy not just for the rest of this year, but for the rest of his career, which is going to be as long as he wishes it to be at this stage."

Out-of-favour Travis Cloke kicks two goals from 14 disposals and 7 marks against Fremantle in his second return to senior football in 2016.

"He played his role," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said after the Pies' 48-point win at the MCG.

"I thought for the large part in the last quarter, Clokey and Jesse [White] were two that found a little bit extra…to stabilise the game.

"It was encouraging for [Cloke] and a step in the right direction."

Travis Cloke is dropped to the VFL after just one game back in the senior side.

Cloke's manager and father, David Cloke, says he has not engaged in discussions with the Magpies regarding the key forward's future.

"I haven't at the moment, I haven't got anything booked in to talk to them about anything at the moment, no," Cloke Snr said.

"We haven't even talked about it.

"Trav's just getting himself ready to play tomorrow ... and we'll see what happens over the rest of the season.

"And he's contracted for next year."

The intrigue surrounding Travis Cloke's return to senior football is reaching fever pitch.

"(Assistant coach) Tarkyn Lockyer was driving into training today and he was pulled over - I don't know why, I think he was going too slow," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said.

"The policeman saw him in his Collingwood outfit and he goes, 'So is Clokey playing this week?' True story."

Travis Cloke will make his return to the Pies' senior team after being named at centre half-forward to face Port Adelaide.

The 29-year-old has not played for the Magpies since being dropped for their Anzac Day clash in round five.

Travis Cloke says he is still loyal to Collingwood and will work at regaining his place in the side after being dropped to the VFL.

"I look forward to the challenge. I'm definitely not going to shy away from it and walk out on this club," Cloke told Melbourne radio station RSN 927.

"I love the place. I've been involved here since I was 16 doing work experience at Collingwood so I'm looking forward to the coming weeks."

Cloke said said he was frustrated to find himself out of the side, particularly ahead of such an important game like the Anzac fixture.

"I was pissed off, is the best way to put it," Cloke said.

"I debuted 13 years ago on that day, so it's pretty special to me. I hadn't missed one since, so I was pretty annoyed."

Magpies football boss Neil Balme says Travis Cloke will return to the senior side after he earns his spot in the VFL.

"He's been such a good player and he's got so much going for him, it's only a matter of his own form," Balme told SEN radio.

"He will pick himself, or he won't."

Travis Cloke has dispelled rumours he is considering leaving the Magpies after being banished to the VFL.

"There's absolutely no truth (about leaving Collingwood). I'm contracted until the end of next year. I find it interesting and have a bit of a giggle (about it)," Cloke said.

"At the same time, I love this club (and) I love my coach, Nathan. The reason I stayed at this club originally was because of 'Bucks' and this footy club, so I don't have a reason to look elsewhere."

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says Travis Cloke will remain in the VFL until he regains sufficient form.

"The discussions I had with him were about getting back to enjoying his footy and finding that thirst for the contest that's missing at the moment," Buckley said.

"We'll give him as much opportunity as we need to at VFL level to get that back to prove his worth to come back in.

"I think Trav can still be a really damaging player in this competition. I think he's going to be very important for us as our year progresses."

Collingwood drops out-of-form Travis Cloke ahead of its Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon.

"It's my opportunity to go back to the VFL squad and get a kick, and see what goes from there," Cloke said.

Travis Cloke has struggled to replicate his performances from previous seasons, with inaccuracy in front of goal continuing to haunt the wayward forward.

He has registered five goals and taken just three contested marks in four games so far this season.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Cloke would need to quickly improve his output or face the prospect of being omitted.

"He's a senior player with 230 games' experience and we need him to stand up more than he has at this point in time, and this is going to be a tough period for him," Buckley said.

"When you're performing the way we're performing at the moment, everything's on the table [being omitted from the squad]."

Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury says Travis Cloke was dropped from the Magpies' leadership group as the key forward still has things to learn about being a leader.

"It's a player-voted thing, and the four guys and myself were the clear-cut group that the players wanted to be led by this year," Pendlebury said.

"Clokey wasn't a part of that and he's acknowledged himself that he's got a way to go with his leadership.

"Not having the title does not resolve of him of his responsibilities, and he's had a great pre-season. We still expect high standards from Trav even though he's not formally part of the group."

Collingwood is unlikely to take any action against Dane Swan and Travis Cloke after Woman's Day reported they allegedly sent nude photos to women via social media.

On Triple M radio, Club president Eddie McGuire described the players as "idiots" for sending the photos, but said it was not an issue for Collingwood.

McGuire said the photos, which are understood to be more than 12 months old, had been made available to other media outlets before Woman's Day, which chose to publish them.

"Apparently they were offering them up to the TV stations who passed, but Woman's Day have taken them," McGuire said.

Travis Cloke says he will attack the 2016 season with a chip on his shoulder after being stung into action by criticism of his performance this year.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things to get myself mentally and physically right for the 2016 season and to prove a few critics wrong," Cloke said.

"I've enjoyed a few interesting stories this year in the paper, social media and even last night with the Ox (David Schwarz) on his radio station - I think I was his second-most overrated sports person in Australia.

"It's always interesting to see some people's opinions - right or wrong, everyone's entitled to them, I guess."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has categorically denied the club would put star forward Travis Cloke up for trade, describing the idea as "laughable".

"It's laughable. Trav's a leader of the football club. He's one of the best power forwards in the competition and he's part of our plans into the future," Buckley said.

Travis Cloke says he wants Matthew Kreuzer's company at Collingwood.

The Carlton ruckman is out of contract at season's end and earlier this week refused to rule out a move away from the Blues.

"Yeah, Kreuze! I actually get along pretty well with him and he's a good bloke," Cloke said.

"He's an exceptional footballer.

"I guess we've probably forgot how good he is til the last couple of weeks, we've seen his worth, how valuable he is, to the Carlton Footy Club.

"I reckon if he was in black and white he'd be a 10 times better footballer."

Travis Cloke says it is about time people "shut their mouths" and allowed him to get on with the job of fixing his wayward goalkicking.

"People have their opinion and it's great that people care and want to get involved, but sometimes it's best that they just shut their mouths and realise it is a game of football," Cloke said.

"It (his goalkicking) is probably frustrating for all and, I'll let you know, it's more frustrating for me than it is for most people sitting in the stands.

"I'm doing what I can."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley expresses his displeasure at the lack of free kicks paid to Travis Cloke following the Magpies' five-point loss to Richmond.

Cloke received just one free kick against the Tigers while conceding four, taking his overall tally in 2015 to 11 free kicks for and 13 against.

"He dead-set gets nothing from the umps," Buckley said after the game.

"I don't know what it is. He gets nothing when it looks like he's being infringed and he only has to sniff to give a free kick away."

Collingwood employs a sports psychologist in another bid to improve Travis Cloke's goalkicking.

"The best goalkickers are very consistent, regardless of the circumstances," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"Trav's improved markedly in that. So we'll back the work that he's doing and that he'll continue with."

Travis Cloke says he's happy wandering further up the ground as he tries to recapture his best form.

"It gets you away from the engaging one-on-ones (and) two-on-ones," he said.

"Sometimes you don't see eye-to-eye with the umpire and it gets a bit frustrating.

"It's probably a bit more fun up the ground as well, a bit more action, more body on body crushes and it's where the game is won and lost as well so I enjoy it."

Scott Pendlebury will again captain the Magpies in 2015, supported by a streamlined leadership group that includes Travis Cloke, Steele Sidebottom, Nathan Brown and the newly promoted Tyson Goldsack.

Lachlan Keeffe and Clinton Young have stepped down as leaders this year.

"They're five very strong leaders, they're all premiership players and they all know what it takes to get there," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"We want to get back into finals and clearly that's the ambition of all these boys.

"When the players went through the selection process there was a fairly clear delineation between the top five and the rest.

"We feel that we've really developed our leadership over the last couple of years and the vindication of that is the strength of this leadership group, even with players like Luke Ball and Nick Maxwell moving on from the football club."

Travis Cloke has employed the services of six-time Australian ironman champion Trevor Hendy in a bid to improve his goal kicking.

"I'm putting a lot of hours into my goal kicking, it's been an area of my game that has let me down for many years," Cloke said.

"I think last year we made some inroads so I've just been continuing on with the right people and working away from the football club still to improve my mental state going into shots and I think I'm getting somewhere."

Travis Cloke says commitments off the field have improved his perspective on life and footy.

Cloke is spending one day a week over 12 months at fashion and marketing company Lifestyle Brands.

"It's a bit different to sit at a computer and switch away from footy," Cloke said.

"It's really improved my clarity in football and where I want to go and what I want to do."

Travis Cloke says he has a strong relationship with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, praising the support Buckley has provided to him this season and throughout his career.

"I've got an outstanding relationship with 'Bucks' (Buckley). It's not just a football relationship, it's away from footy as well," Cloke said.

"We communicate all the time – texts back and forth. When he's driving home he calls me up and we have a chat about things.

"He actually does care. I don't know if every senior coach can say that about his players, but he genuinely does."

Travis Cloke says criticism of his early season form from the media was warranted.

"A lot of the criticism that I came under was justified, I deserved everything most people said," Cloke said.

"My football wasn't up to scratch.

"It was nice that 'Bucks' (Nathan Buckley) showed some faith and kept me in there and things started to turn."

Nick Maxwell says Magpies teammates are providing support to key forward Travis Cloke to help him break out of his form slump.

"You could feel for him ... he's had the weight of the world on his shoulders," Maxwell said.

"But we just keep telling him we don't want him to come out and take 15-20 marks and kick five goals, we just want him to keep playing his role."

Scott Pendlebury urges Pies fans to show faith in out-of-form forward Travis Cloke who was held goalless against Richmond and has only managed two goals from four games this season.

"It's a tough game at times, but don't forget how hard he works for the football club," Pendlebury said.

"He rarely gets beaten. Everyone expects him to kick a few goals a week and take big marks, but at the moment he's providing a good contest and he's bringing Jamie Elliott, Jarryd Blair and all those guys into the game."

Travis Cloke has received only one free kick in three games in 2014 while conceding four but says he will not be bothered by it.

"They make mistakes. I make mistakes," Cloke said about the umpires on the eve of his 200th game.

"I've played for 10 years now.

"I try to do the same things I've been doing for those [199] games - don't worry about what is out of my control and just keep competing.

"Half the time the battle is within my head … winning that is the greatest challenge of mine."

Travis Cloke is refining his marking technique after the Magpies express frustration at the big forward being on the rough end of some contentious umpiring decisions.

"Maybe he wins his contest by too much and a little bit of that is Clokey's want to once he has a player out of position to continue to have that player out of position before coming back to the ball,'' Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"We're working continually with Trav to get that right, but Matty Lappin, our forwards coach, has contacted the umpiring department and we've got a few tips and we'll work on them.''

Scans clear Rory Thompson of internal injuries following his heavy collision with Richmond midfielder Matthew Arnot.

"Fortunately the scans revealed that Rory had suffered no internal damage," Gold Coast football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"However he does have some bruising of the chest which our medical team will monitor throughout the week, but we remain optimistic that Rory will be available for selection this week."

Travis Cloke reveals that he gave up $500,000 amid reported interest from Fremantle and Carlton to remain with Collingwood.

"I was talking maybe four to five hundred thousand different a year," Cloke said.

"I was willing to stay. I'm very happy where I am...I was more than happy to take that to stay with my mates.

"I looked at it more in saying I want to play in a successful team. Collingwood was the club at the time where I thought it's where it's going to be and I still believe that we can really have a tilt at it.''

Travis Cloke will undergo minor surgery on his finger to fix during the bye.

"It was just a bit of a clean-up," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh told the Herald Sun. "He has had a lot of knocks on it over the years and there was a lot of scar tissue in it."

After initially being fined $1,000, Travis Cloke will do instead Salvation Army shifts for taking the club CEO, Gary Pert's, car spot.

"As a senior player, I have to set an example," Cloke said.

"I recognise that and while I thought this was an in-house issue, it's blown up in the public and I want to put it all to bed."

Travis Cloke is fined $1000 for repeatedly parking in the car space of club chief executive Gary Pert, a move which has not amused the AFL Player's Association.

"It sounds like a ludicrous situation," an AFLPA spokesperson said.

"We can only assume there has been some kind of confusion - clearly the AFL players' code of conduct makes no reference to players being sanctioned for parking in an executive's car space."

The AFL places a ban on gloves, including those worn by Travis Cloke, deemed to provide an unfair advantage when marking the ball.

Richmond champion Matthew Richardson says the study conducted by the AFL to arrive at this conclusion was a waste of time and money.

"Why was study needed to tell @AFL that gloves provide more grip?" Richardson said on Twitter.

"Of course they do. Why wear them otherwise. Definitely help with marking."

The biggest contract saga of 2012 has been resolved with Travis Cloke agreeing to a new five-year deal with Collingwood.

"It's obviously a long commitment from both parties which, from our point of view, reflects the regard we hold Travis in and our faith in his ability to play good football for a long time to come," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"I think it's also a reflection of Travis' regard for Collingwood."

The final, and fifth, year of the contract had long been a sticking point for both parties and the primary reason for the delay in contract talks being resolved.

"The final year is not unencumbered. There are conditions that will remain a matter for Collingwood and Travis but clearly both parties are comfortable with them," Walsh said.

Travis Cloke's manager, David Cloke, says talks are progressing with the Magpies on a new deal.

"I had a meeting with Collingwood this morning. We are getting closer," David Cloke told The Age newspaper.

"I will sit down with Travis and have a conversation. That's what we are talking about, the fifth year. They are budging in some ways. They are the things we are discussing."

New Carlton coach Mick Malthouse remains convinced key forward Travis Cloke is a "50-50" chance to leave Collingwood.

"Well, he has mentioned he is out there or could be out there," Malthouse said on Channel 7's Game Day.

"I'll be very, very honest and say I went from he will stay to several weeks saying it is 50-50. I'm only in the situation of saying now I still think it is 50-50."

Eddie McGuire says new Carlton coach Mick Malthouse's brazen declaration of interest in Travis Cloke was inappropriate.

"I was a bit disappointed yesterday that Mick did bring that up, knowing that we are playing finals this week," McGuire said on Triple M.

"He should have some respect for the club that's looked after him, supported him, given him every opportunity ... as a coach."

New Carlton coach Mick Malthouse goes on the record and says the Blues will 'absolutely' make a play for Travis Cloke's services.

Nathan Buckley says Collingwood is confident that out-of-contract forward Travis Cloke will stay a Magpie.

"We've managed this situation as well as we possibly could throughout the year and we love Clokey, Clokey loves being at the club," Buckley said on Channel Seven's Game Day.

"It's just a matter of time."

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan says the club will due its due diligence in deciding whether they should target out-of-contract Magpie Travis Cloke.

"You need to lose somebody to get him in. We can't just put a million dollar player, or whatever he wants, in," Kernahan said.

"But he's playing finals with Collingwood, if he's available at the end of that and wants to leave Collingwood, we'll look at it, but it's difficult to do."

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld declares that Travis Cloke won't be moving to the Demons.

"I did read a couple of articles that apparently Melbourne were in [the chase] for Travis Cloke. That's not the case," Neeld said.

"There's been no offers from the Melbourne footy club to Travis and he's not coming here."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke admits that his output may be down on last year's but still says he is happy with his contribution to the team.

"It's not the same standard as other years, but I'm getting the job done," Cloke said.

"I'd like to kick a few more goals and take a few more marks, but the team is doing well and that's what it all comes down to."

Collingwood's director of football Geoff Walsh and Dayne Beams made several subtle digs at Travis Cloke holding off on signing with the club when the Pies announced Beams' re-signing.

"He joins a number of players who this year have underlined their commitment to the footy club, and who have put the fact they want to be part of something that hopefully produces some great results in their careers over and above everything else, whether that be financial reward or anything else you'd like to talk about," Walsh said.

"Dayne's the latest example of our players committing to the club and to what they hope may be some success around the corner."

Beams added that signing early would ensure as few distractions as possible leading into September.

"It's out of my mind and I suppose that's a good thing going into finals. You want to have as little distractions as possible and it's good to get it done and get a good result," Beams said.

Adelaide has made a bid for Travis Cloke's services, raising speculation about key forward Kurt Tippett's future.

"It's a contingency plan for us so we have to ask the question, and do due diligence," Adelaide football operations manager Phil Harper told News Limited.

"We fully expect Kurt to stay, we are confident he will stay, but football shows that we are entering a new age. If Kurt does leave, we as a footy club have to be aware of who is available via free agency.

"And we all know Travis Cloke is probably what we would need."

Melbourne president Don McLardy has confirmed the Demons are still pursuing Travis Cloke.

''We obviously have room in our cap. We have been managing our salary cap really well in the last couple of years. We give ourselves a chance,'' McLardy told The Age.

"We have a little scope and probably more than some of the teams that are at the top of the ladder.''

Collingwood fans criticising Travis Cloke for delaying contract negotiations are not true Magpies, says Nathan Buckley.

"Trav's one of us. He's one of our players who is absolutely focused on playing our best football and giving ourselves the best chance of success in 2012," Buckley said.

"He's one of us and all of us are focused on that, and if you're not supporting us in that end, then you're not one of us."

Kevin Sheedy and the Giants have done an about-turn and declared they want Travis Cloke at the club.

"You've got Cloke coming up to play and he's off contract," Sheedy said.

"If he doesn't sign a contract I think there will be a few clubs out there [interested in him] and we'd definitely have to have a look at him. We can't just sit on our hands if he doesn't come to terms."

Collingwood has decided to postpone all contract negotiations with Travis Cloke until the end of the year.

"The season at hand is everyone's priority," Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh said.

"And having considered all of the circumstances, it seemed the most sensible and appropriate course to suspend our negotiations until the season has been played out."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says Travis Cloke must lift his form despite speculation surrounding his future.

"Clokey is one who needs to improve his form," he said.

"There is plenty of speculation about (his contract) and there are myriad things which affect form -- a player's relationship status, what's going on at home, the extremes required of your body. But when you go over the white line you are expected to deal with it."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the club's situation with Travis Cloke is not the same as Geelong's with Gary Ablett two years ago.

"I don't have the same fears he may have had about Gary," Buckley said.

"I'm very confident we'll retain all of the players we want to retain. Things have been far more amicable than people give credence to - it's just part of the ongoing discussions."

Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich confirms that Travis Cloke is on the club's radar as part of their aggressive recruitment drive.

"We have spoken to Travis' management and he's one of a few players we've spoken to," Rosich said.

"We think we're well placed in free agency, not only to potentially acquire a player, but also retain our required players."

Scott Pendlebury says Travis Cloke will reject offers to move and will remain at Collingwood next year and beyond.

"He's got to do what's right for him and at the same time, the footy club's got to do what's right for the footy club," Pendlebury said.

"It will get worked out and Trav will stay in the black and white."

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he will poach Fremantle's best young players if Travis Cloke accepts a reported $5 million deal to join Freo.

The Fremantle Dockers are into him offering plenty of money and all that sort of stuff. That's fine, that's what they're there to do. They're a competitive side, they've put their hand up and said, 'We're not going to be easybeats'," McGuire said.

"If we lose Cloke I will have a war chest and will declare war on the world. And first port of call will be Fremantle, don't worry about that. You think I'm joking don't you? I'm not joking, I promise you."

Travis Cloke has confirmed a lucrative $1m offer from Fremantle but says discussions are still ongoing with the club.

"This is my career, my life and I'm trying to get obviously what's best for myself," he said.

"We're not holding Collingwood to (ransom) saying, 'You've got to give me five years, you've got to give me X amount of money or I'm walking.

"They've got to think about what's best for their brand, the Collingwood Football Club. I've got to think about what's best for myself."

Travis Cloke's father and manager David Cloke says the star Pie may sign a four year-deal - if the club increases the cash on offer.

"We could be [close] if they agree on five years, our figure's reasonably close. If the figure is four years, there's a difference between the two," Cloke Sr said.

"If they want us to agree on four years, the (annual) figure's going to be higher than over five years. "

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney confirms that his club can't afford Magpie forward Travis Cloke.

"Our philosophy is to draft and develop our own," he said.

"We won't be in the hunt for a big name but we want to become a club that does things well and in time that big names will want to come and play for us."

Gws coach Kevin Sheedy says the Giants aren't interested in Collingwood forward Travis Cloke, and will instead target ruckmen.

"He wouldn't be on my list," Sheedy told the Seven Network's AFL Game Day when asked about Cloke.

"We've got players we've got to develop [in that position] up there ... we need ruckmen - we need key backs.

"We'll go for a ruckman. We need another ruckman or two. Dean Brogan won't play much longer obviously and that leaves us pretty skinny right at the moment."

Essendon forward Michael Hurley wants to emulate the contested marking power of Travis Cloke and Kurt Tippett.

"I envy the way they're able to take contested marks," Hurley says.

"For some players the marking just happens naturally, but as I said earlier it's about me thinking through things more and not just being as aggressive in the way I sometimes approach the ball."

Pies coach Nathan Buckley has backed out-of-form forwards Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes to return to their best soon.

"If there was a work-rate issue I'd be concerned but it's not," Buckley said.

"I've got no doubt if they maintain their work ethic and preparation and their standards in both of those regards, it'll turn for them. They prepare as hard now as they ever have, and that's encouraging to see."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says scrutiny on Travis Cloke's future is affecting the key forward's perfomance on the field.

"He's not playing his best at the moment and he's only human," Buckley said.

"He's a big unit, he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders at times, as all high performers do. I think … it would be taking a toll on him in some way."

Melbourne's sports performance director Neil Craig confirms the club's interest in Magpie forward Travis Cloke.

"Travis Cloke would be in most clubs' sights. He's a key forward, proven in finals football," Craig said."

"What club wouldn't want a key forward who can play like Travis Cloke? To have two key forwards, let's assume that it was Clark and Cloke in the forward line, that's a pretty good combination."

Damien Hardwick says Trent Cotchin has the potential to become one of the game's best players.

"Defensively he's got some areas we'd like him to be a little bit better at," Hardwick said.

"But I don't think I've seen a better player - it's a big comment, I know - as clean below his knees and then have the ability to distribute as cleanly as he does."

Greater Western Sydney have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Travis Cloke.

"It gets to a lot of the point that ... the big slice of the salary cap that the demands of Travis Cloke would take up, and their desire to retain the youth talent that they've got at the moment," Senior AFL writer for The Daily Telegraph Neil Cordy said on Fox Footy's AFL 360.

"What's really driving this is the performance of their young forwards. (GWS are) definitely not out of the race for uncontracted players, but I think the price is just got too high for Travis Cloke."

Travis Cloke will not be joining Greater Western Sydney with the Giants saying they will not table an offer to the out of contract Magpies.

"We have to consider the value against the cost. We think the rewards should be spread around rather than go for one big player," Giants chief executive David Matthews said.

"Our priority as a club is having secured young talent our job is to re-contract that talent. It's not so much a salary cap issue but a list strategy."

Travis Cloke says he is happy to wait until the end of the year before deciding on a new contract with Collingwood.

"There's not a set date it needs to be done by. If it takes all year, it takes all year and we're not stressed or fussed about it," Cloke said.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley expects All Australian forward Travis Cloke to stay with the Magpies despite rumours of an impending move to GWS.

"He loves the place here," Buckley said.

"He's got a great environment. He's got great mates. He enjoys being here as much as we enjoy him being here and his contribution."

Matthew Richardson says Collingwood's Travis Cloke is the best forward in the game.

"He's undoubtedly the best contested mark in the game," Richardson says.

"He always has his arms fully extended and takes the ball at its highest point. He's an absolute man mountain."

Collingwood star Dane Swan says he would have no qualms with Travis Cloke leaving the Pies to accept a lucrative offer at another club.

"I would never begrudge him leaving for that kind of money," Swan said.

"You only play AFL for a short period of time. It's not going to be forever. If he wanted to set himself up for life and go for that kind of money, good luck to him and I hope he goes well."

Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke won't let speculation over his future rush his contract talks.

"It's not a certainty it's going to be put off until the end of the year," Cloke said.

"If Walshy [football director Geoff Walsh] and Bucks come to an agreement with my management, then great, it's done beforehand and we'll sign it, but I'm here to play football and that's what I'm going to do and focus on that."

Travis Cloke wants to put contract talks with Collingwood on hold until the end of the year.

"I'd like to play my season of football and work it out from there,'' Cloke said.

"I know there's going to be a lot of speculation if I don't do it now or in the next couple of weeks.

"But I'd like to play football and obviously if I'm playing good football Collingwood will be like 'yep, we want you to stay, that's it' and I'd say 'yep, perfect, where's the dotted line? I'll sign on it'."

Cloke, however, denies that he has been approached by GWS.

"(An offer has) not been put to anyone in my family. Not to my dad, dogs, horses, cats, nothing,'' he said.

"I have not heard one thing from GWS or any other club."

The Herald Sun reports that Travis Cloke, who comes out of contract at the end of 2012, is expected to be targeted by GWS, with the new club prepared to pay as much as $1.5 million a year for the key forward.

David Cloke says his friendship with Graeme 'Gubby' Allan will have no influence on whether his son Travis moves to GWS or not.

"If you took that option, I've got friends at lots of clubs," David Cloke said.

"We haven't even thought about it as yet. Travis is just wanting to concentrate on playing footy this year. And, everything will take care of itself as the year unfolds."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has been booked for driving while disqualified but the club believes he may not have been aware of the status of his license at the time.

"He notified the club last night when he was told about this," Magpies president Eddie McGuire told Triple M radio.

"He wasn't speeding or drink driving. He's going into see Vic Roads this afternoon; he's got no knowledge that his licence was disqualified at the time. It might be a mistake."

Nick Maxwell says changes to Collingwood's leadership group will allow young players such as Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke and Heath Shaw to grow in their new roles.

"Swanny and Jolls stepped down and will take more of a leadership role in the background, so it's good for those guys as senior players; you'd expect them to keep being leaders around the club," Maxwell said.

"The time came for us to bring some youth through the leadership group. You see that with Daisy, Trav and Heater coming through and they'll be good support for us."

Travis Cloke's says his new training technique where he uses headphones to simulate crowd noise has been the secret behind his goal-kicking accuracy this season.

"It's showing progress at the moment. The ones I've kicked from set shots have been nice kicks so far with pretty good connection," Cloke said.

"There's been a couple of wayward ones in there as well, which haven't escaped my mind so I go back to the drawing board with them and look through them and cut them down into minute areas."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke gave a mid-season assurance to assistant coach Nathan Buckley that he wanted to play for him beyond 2010 despite contract negotiations stalling until the end of the season.

"I spoke to Bucks midway through the year when we started negotiations and said, 'Bucks, I will be here. I understand you're taking over in 12 months' time and I want to be part of this. I think we're in a great position as club'," Cloke said.

"Bucks is a fanatic on and off the field and his football brain's amazing. He's added a new dimension to our team."

The Herald Sun reports that Travis Cloke rejected a multi-million-dollar, four-year deal to stay from Essendon to stay a Magpie.

The Bombers had hoped to convince the then-disgruntled Cloke to nominate for the pre-season draft where the would have picked him up with pick No. 4.

Premiership star Travis Cloke has ended speculation about his future by signing a new two-year deal with Collingwood.

"I'm really happy to put this behind me and know that I will be at the club for another two years," Cloke said.

"Playing in the 2010 premiership was the best thing I've ever experienced in my football career, so now to be able to focus on trying to achieve more success at this great club is something I'm extremely excited about."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke may nominate for the NAB AFL Draft if a new contract isn't signed in the next week according to his father and manager, David Cloke.

"We still haven't come to an agreement on the contract and we're looking at it now if we can't come to an agreement what the next option or step we take is," David Cloke said.

"If things are not sorted out this week, the option will be he'll go into the draft."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke's five-goal performance against Fremantle has given him even greater belief in his accuracy.

"I know that the goalkicking has been well publicised about not being great, but I'm feeling really good about it. I feel confident that no matter where I am I should be able to nail it," Cloke said.

"I've done a lot of work on it, so I'm hoping to continue getting some rewards."

Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury is the 2010 Anzac medallist after tallying a team-high 29 disposals for the Magpies in a convincing win over the Bombers.

However, Pendlebury says the medal should have gone to teammate Travis Cloke.

"I thought Clokey set us up early, especially the way he played and kicked goals," Pendlebury said.

"He kicked a few good goals too, and he set the tone for us, even with a few of his tackles in the forward 50 that allowed other guys to get goals as well."

A spiteful NAB Challenge practice match between the Magpies and the Tigers results in allegations of biting and "dobbing".

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has drawn the ire of Richmond after providing evidence that he was struck by Richmond's Jake King resulting in the latter being suspended and offered two weeks for his offence.

Tigers recruit Dylan Grimes was also involved after being allegedly bitten on the back by an unnamed Collingwood player.

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke provides evidence to the match review panel against Tiger Jake King for striking him.

King is subsequently suspended for two matches following Cloke's evidence.

Travis Cloke's manager and father, David Cloke, says the Magpie forward will resist the temptation to join the new Gold Coast franchise to stay with Collingwood.

"Travis enjoys it at Collingwood, he has all the way along, and he doesn't have any problem with the club at all," Cloke Sr said.

"Now it's just a matter of getting down to talking figures."

Magpie Travis Cloke, uncontracted beyond 2010, is the latest in a list potential targets for the new Gold Coast franchise.

"Travis is contracted this season and is focused on his football, but the club has said it wanted to start discussions and we'll go through that process. I've given them a couple of dates." Cloke's father and manager David Cloke said.

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke says he hopes to improve his goalkicking accuracy against the Crows in their semi final.

Cloke has kicked 0.4 from set shots in the past two weeks.

"I've missed some sitters over the last couple of months," Cloke said.

"I've sat down with Anthony Rocca and (assistant coach) Paul Hudson.

"We've gone through what I've done right and what I've done wrong. I'm feeling very confident in front of goals.

"I missed that one on the weekend and hit the post, but I guess that's football.

"I think I'm slowly getting there and, hopefully, it's showing to the supporters that I'm trying to improve in that area."

Dane Swan has thrown his support behind veteran forward Anthony Rocca, saying he is still a key member of the Magpies.

Rocca has played just three senior games this season while battling various injuries that include a persistent groin strain, but remains a viable option as centre-half forward Travis Cloke's form slump continues.

"We certainly want him back in the side, he adds a dimension we don't really have, someone we can use to get out of jail - kick it long, create a contest," Swan said.

On the eve of a match he says could be a turning point, Travis Cloke gives a bleak assessment of his season to date.

"So far I'd describe it as pretty average to poor," he said of his 2009 form thus far.

"It hasn't been great. I've probably trained as hard as I ever have and had a pretty good pre-season although it was a little bit interrupted, but you have them.

"I'm really just looking forward to this second half of the year now and just focusing on the next 11 rounds plus finals."

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has thrown his support behind Mick Malthouse, saying he wants the Magpies coach to stay at the club beyond this year.

"I'd love to see him there next year, definitely," Cloke said.

"I reckon he's a great coach and I reckon he's still got a lot more to give as a senior coach and hopefully it is at Collingwood.

"As a person he's a great bloke; he seems to know what he wants and as a coach he's exceptional.

"He's got great people around him, which also helps also."

A shot has been fired into the home of Collingwood star Travis Cloke.

It is believed the young Magpie was alone at home when a bullet shattered an upstairs window of his family's Ringwood North house.

Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke speaks candidly of the assault that continues to haunt him, and a surprising off-field passion that defies the family stereotype.

Collingwood centre half-forward Travis Cloke says the return of fellow big man Anthony Rocca is crucial to the Magpies' 2009 season.

Injured Collingwood star Travis Cloke will press charges against the group of revellers who assaulted him in a New Year's Eve attack in Queensland.

Collingwood star forward Travis Cloke has been hurt in a confrontation with several men while holidaying in Queensland.