Travis Cloke gets a pass mark but still a lot of work to do, says Jon Ralph

IF NATHAN Buckley tasked Travis Cloke with being a moving target who kept trying all day, he earnt a pass mark. But he’s a long way from being Collingwood’s saviour.

Travis Cloke and his dejected teammates walk off the MCG.

THE football world came to the MCG searching for Travis Cloke’s Proof of Life.

For six weeks he had languished in the VFL, showing few signs that his footballing tenure would extend past this season — at Collingwood at least.

On a dirty day for forwards and an even worse day for those in black and white, Cloke could at least hold his head high.

The sum total of his efforts was 13 possessions, six marks, four tackles, a point and a long bomb out on the full.

So far, so very Travis Cloke.

It is a measure of how far his star has fallen that the best that could be said of him is that he didn’t drop his head or stop working.

But if Nathan Buckley had tasked Cloke with creating a constantly moving target who didn’t give up, on that score at least his day was a pass mark.

His workrate was exceptional, his finishing again mediocre, his determination to play a selfless role commendable.

As for that proof of life?

Let’s put it this way: As a situation report it was clearly good enough for him to play next week, nowhere near good enough to get rival recruiters excited.

Travis Cloke shows his frustration. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The highlights came early — a fierce tackle then quick handball to Scott Pendlebury for the Pies’ opening goal.

Then later as he worked into the game his smart gather and clever assist hit up Jesse White, who missed that sitter from 20m in front.

As for the commanding contested marks and nailed set shots, Buckley will have to wait for those.

As Buckley said post-match: “Clokey was OK. Serviceable”.

“Not too bad, but we had quite a few that weren’t at the level we would have wanted them to be.

“Clokey would be happy to be back but I am sure he would want to contribute a bit more than that.”

Travis Cloke fumbles a marking attempt.

Travis Cloke misses a set shot at goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Captain Scott Pendlebury was similarly succinct about Cloke’s role — not at his best, but far from Collingwood’s worst.

“He competed well and Mason Cox competed well and that’s all you can ask, for them to bring the ball to ground,” he said.

“It was our ground level players which let us down, our small forwards and mids and our team defence. You can’t even talk about your offence when your team defence is that bad.”

The weather might not have suited Cloke, but he could scarcely have received a more favourable match-up at the first bounce.

Up stepped Port Adelaide first-gamer Logan Austin, who in normal circumstances would have been petrified to take on such a brilliant opponent.

And yet Collingwood’s forward setup — Mason Cox deep, Jesse White the second key target — meant that at times Cloke almost played as a decoy.

Travis Cloke finishes the match on the bench. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

His starting point was the 50m arc in a pocket, and for long periods he roamed up and back seemingly unsure of his exact role.

A strong mark halfway through the first quarter due loud hoots of approval — he turned it over — but mostly Cloke flew for pack marks without the certainty of previous years.

When he finally did start deep as the target of a spearing Jarryd Blair assist, he attempted to chest mark rather than grab the ball with outstretched hands and it was parried away.

Thankfully for Cloke the injury crisis means he will get another chance against Melbourne, but he needs to build on these small gains if he is to keep his head above water.