Departing Collingwood forward Travis Cloke can’t wait to start working with Luke Beveridge

TRAVIS Cloke’s father says he is looking forward to playing for a coach who believes in him ahead of his imminent move to the Western Bulldogs.

Travis Cloke during his last game with Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

TRAVIS Cloke’s father says he is looking forward to playing for a coach who believes in him ahead of his imminent move to the Western Bulldogs.

That trade could occur as early as next Monday, according to David Cloke, with the Pies likely to accept a fourth-round pick for the 29-year-old forward.

The trade period starts on Monday October 10 and Cloke believes the deal could be done on the first day given a level of comfort in the agreement by both parties.

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The Dogs have pick 59 and have committed to Cloke but after a premiership win for the ages some Dogs fans might wonder if they still need Cloke.

Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes said the Dogs should revisit their plans given he does not fit their style of play.

Travis Cloke celebrates kicking a goal in his final game for Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images)

But at his best he is a contested marking beast, with the Dogs having to find room for Stewart Crameri and injured players Marcus Adams, Robert Murphy and Mitch Wallis.

Cloke said Travis couldn’t wait to get started at the Bulldogs to gain a fresh start after being dropped three times by Nathan Buckley this year.

“They can do with another tall forward up there and to have a coach who has confidence in his player as well will be good for Travis,’’ he said.

“He is looking forward to next season and a new opportunity with new thoughts and a coach who has confidence in the way he knows he can play.

“That’s what Luke Beveridge shows in his players. He has confidence in Travis and knows him from their time at Collingwood a number of years back.

“Travis’ body is in good nick so he’s had the medicals and they are happy with what they found and both parties are looking forward to next year even before what happened yesterday.”

Cloke has just returned from a holiday and is again training before the start of Dogs pre-season before a New Year’s Eve wedding to fiance Rebecca Panozza.

His father denied he had played heavy this year despite Collingwood’s belief he needed to lose another 5kg to regain agility and mobility.

“I see in the AFL footy record it says he is 108kg. I think he’s probably around 101kg. He has been that all year and he gets over the field and covers the kilometres,’’ he said.

“He is back into training and doing bits and pieces and looking forward to next year already. So whenever the pre-season starts he will be ready to go.”

Travis Cloke can’t wait to work with Luke Beveridge. Picture: Michel Klein

The AFL’s free agency period starts this Friday and overlaps the trade period, starting the following Monday.

Cornes said Cloke did not fit into Luke Beveridge’s style of play but he would clearly play before youngster Zaine Cordy.

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“They need to revisit this. The way he plays I am not sure he fits into their style of play,’’ Cornes told Fox Sports.

“They are a scrappy high-pressure, ground balls into your forward line time. It’s not the way Travis plays.

“Right now the Bulldogs would be thinking I am not sure we need to go down this path and I am not sure the Bulldogs supporters would embrace him.”