Magpies premiership player Ben Johnson hopes Travis Cloke will stay at Collingwood despite trade request

COLLINGWOOD premiership player Ben Johnson says he doesn’t want to see Travis Cloke leave the Magpies despite the spearhead already requesting a trade.

COLLINGWOOD premiership player Ben Johnson says he doesn’t want to see Travis Cloke leave the Magpies despite the spearhead already requesting a trade.

Cloke told club officials of his desire for a fresh start this week and last night named the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination for 2017 and beyond.

If a trade between the two clubs is agreed upon, the 29-year-old will join forces with coach Luke Beveridge, who worked at Collingwood from 2009-10 and had input into the club’s flag triumph.

Johnson, who played with Cloke in the 2010 premiership, said he’d love to see the forward in black and white next season despite the trade request.

But if Cloke is determined to switch clubs Johnson endorsed a move to the Bulldogs, describing Beveridge as a “star” coach who can get him back to his best.

“I really don’t want him to leave Collingwood,” Johnson told the Herald Sun.

“(But) I know when Bevo was at Collingwood he was the sort of guy who got along with all the players; all the players really loved him.

Travis Cloke tugs at his Collingwood jumper in the loss to Hawthorn. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“If Trav does leave Collingwood, I hope he does go to the Bulldogs because I know Bevo is such a great bloke and Trav will have the best opportunity with him — he’ll get the best out of him.”

Johnson, who will tonight play in the EJ Whitten Legends game at Etihad Stadium, believes Cloke still has much to offer at AFL level.

“Looking at it this year, getting dropped three times, I don’t think Trav would have been happy with that,” he said.

“Trav still has a bit to give. Everyone at Collingwood wishes Trav the best and I hope he kicks 60 goals next year, it’ll be great.”

LEAVING: CLOKE OPENS UP ABOUT DECISION TO LEAVE COLLINGWOOD

ANALYSIS: WHY COLLINGWOOD ARE FRUSTRATED WITH CLOKE

If a trade deal for Cloke is secured, just six 2010 premiership players will remain on the Magpies’ list — Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Ben Reid, Tyson Goldsack, Nathan Brown and Jarryd Blair.

Brown’s future at Collingwood is uncertain as he remains unsigned for next year and qualifies as a restricted free agent, while Blair is also without a contract for 2017.

Many believed the Magpies were on the verge of a dynasty when it saluted in 2010 with the youngest premiership team since the Baby Bombers in 1993.

Happier times: Travis Cloke with former teammate Ben Johnson in 2013.

But Johnson says the turnover of the list is just the nature of footy.

“When you win a premiership your confidence is that sky high you naturally think you can do it for another one or two years,” he said.

“But unfortunately it didn’t turn out like that and that’s just the way footy is sometimes. It’s a tough game and premierships are very, very hard to win.

“The list has turned over quite a lot — a lot of those guys (who have left) are a little bit older and that’s just what happens.

“We haven’t been so good over the last few years and when that happens, players tend to leave any club.”

Johnson worked at the club in corporate sales until six weeks ago, when he left to take up a position as Project Manager at construction company Corno Nero.

Ben Johnson was a member of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership team.

He grew up a Collingwood supporter before playing 235 games in black and white and says he’s still a Magpie through and through and no matter who’s representing the club, he just wants to see the team win.

“As a Collingwood supporter all you want if for your club to be doing well and winning games,” he said. “Players come and go, coaches come and go, staff come and go, as a supporter all we want to see is wins on the board.

“Players come and go but the club is always going to be there, that’s just the game. It’s a tough industry.”

The EJ Whitten Legends’ Match will be broadcast on FOX FOOTY tonight from 7.30pm.

Originally published as Magpies premiership player Ben Johnson hopes Travis Cloke will stay at Collingwood despite trade request