Collingwood forward Travis Cloke set to miss Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon

COLLINGWOOD should consider trading Travis Cloke if it can’t fix his form slump, former coach Tony Shaw says, with the forward to sit out the Anzac Day clash.

Collingwood Magpies Training Session

COLLINGWOOD should consider trading Travis Cloke if it can’t fix his form slump, former coach Tony Shaw says.

Cloke, 29, will sit out Monday’s Anzac Day blockbuster for the first time since his debut in the showcase game in 2005 after being ­ordered to play in the VFL at Victoria Park on Sunday.

American Mason Cox will make his AFL debut in Cloke’s absence.

Cloke, who has kicked just 8.10 from his past 10 matches, was believed to have received some harsh internal feedback during the week.

Shaw said Cloke’s omission should send a powerful message to the underperforming Pies.

“It doesn’t matter what reputation you’ve got or how good you’ve been, you’re going to pay a price if you don’t play at the level,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a bold move, I think everyone felt it might have been coming.

“He’s 29. If it’s not working now and you thought it wasn’t going to work and you could pick up two draft picks, what do you lose (by trading him)?

“I would’ve thought he’d finish his career at Collingwood, but I’ve seen stranger things happen.”

Travis Cloke takes a breather during match simulation training. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mason Cox with a nice grab at full-forward before this play. Cloke, in match sim, marks on wing here. pic.twitter.com/3ErJ5CKNnT

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) April 23, 2016

US big man and Anzac Day debutant Mason Cox shows that practice ... ... ... pic.twitter.com/4BWd7UTFYc

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) April 23, 2016

Dermott Brereton said it was too early to write Cloke’s AFL obituary, but didn’t rule out a move from Collingwood.

“He’s got a lot more to offer.

“Put it this way — if he wasn’t at Collingwood I reckon he’d be the king pin at someone like Fremantle right now.

“He’s still mobile, he’s still fit and he’s still got a good pair of hands.

“He never was a good kick, so you can’t take that off him.

“He’s too good to be in the VFL. If he’s not getting a game at Collingwood and that continues on then he’d definitely be better suited elsewhere.”

Nathan Buckley running drills. Picture: Hamish Blair

Travis Cloke leaves the training track with his elbow heavily strapped. Picture: Hamish Blair

Former premiership captain Nick Maxwell said Cloke had not adapted to Nathan ­Buckley’s game plan.

“Mick (Malthouse) was a real boundary coach and that was pretty predictable for Trav,” he said.

“At the moment the Pies aren’t predictable at all. They’ve had 16 or 18 different players go through the backline in only four weeks. It is different, it’s a different game plan.”

Cloke’s contract expires at the end of 2017.

He was expected to open talks mid-season and seek a three-year extension. Those talks may be put off now.

Cloke left training early on Saturday, declaring: “It’s my opportunity to go back to the VFL squad and get a kick, and see what goes from there”.