Travis Cloke hopeful of signing five-year deal with Collingwood

FORWARD Travis Cloke said he was yet to sign a contract extension, but would love to to play out his career with the Magpies.

Travis Cloke

COLLINGWOOD forward Travis Cloke said he was yet to sign a contract extension, but would love to to play out his career with the Magpies.

Cloke said he remained hopeful of getting a five-year deal with Collingwood, and revealed he had received a five-season offer from Fremantle worth close to $1 million a year.

He said his management team spoke to the Pies about a week ago, and that he spoke to coach Nathan Buckley about his future "most days", but said he did "not have a time limit on it".

"I'd like to (sign a new deal). I love the football club, I've got history there with my father, my brothers, myself being a premiership player," Cloke said on The Footy Show.

"Great players, great coaching staff around, so that is my main thing. I want to stay at Collingwood. They know that. It's just a matter of working something out between the two parties and hopefully something does get done in the not-too-far future."

"This is my career and I'm obviously trying to get what's best for myself .... we feel the ball is rolling in the right direction."

Cloke said he believed this might be his last AFL contract, but did not feel pressure to sign so that out-of-contract teammates' deals could be resolved.

"I don't feel the pressure is on me. Everyone's contract comes up ... and hopefully something can be done because I'm sick of hearing about it every couple of weeks, and so are you guys sick of talking about it."

Cloke said his management had heard from the Dockers but, despite conjecture, he had not had any contact with Carlton. The Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants have declared they are not in the hunt for Cloke.

"I'm aware of communication from Freo, yes," Cloke said. He added that he was "not aware of exact numbers" but that a $1 million a season was "not far" off the mark.

Cloke said he was open to a four-year deal with Collingwood "if there are some things around it, yes .. but I believe five years is where I'm at."

Earlier, the Twitter world went into overdrive after former Melbourne forward David Schwarz said on SEN radio that he had information - which he believed to be 99 per cent right - that Cloke had signed a new four-year deal with the Pies.

"My bloke just rang me," Schwarz said.

"Travis Cloke has signed with the Pies. That's my information. Four years. Done. This is done and dusted.

"And I reckon he's taken a haircut because he wants to play in a successful team that's going to probably play off in Grand Finals."

But a club spokesman said that Cloke and the Magpies had not met and agreed to terms, and that no announcement was imminent.

Cloke's manager Ralph Carr denied a deal had been done, posting on Twitter: "contrary to all reports, Travis Cloke has not signed off on a dealbut hopefully it's getting closer..."

The delay over his future has affected the club's list management. Negotiations with regular senior players Dayne Beams, Sam Reid, Harry O'Brien, Sharrod Wellingham and Tyson Goldsack have stalled in the meantime.

But the Pies have recently completed big deals with Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas, Luke Ball and Steel Sidebottom.

Cloke's father, David, recently told the AFL's website that he could compromise to a four-year agreement if the money was right. Cloke Sr said he no comment to make today.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said earlier this week: "If a player or a player manager was to go a little bit too hard with us, especially in the circumstances we're in this year, you'd either need to let that guy go or you have to find room somewhere else.''

Cloke had struggled for form this season until producing an outstanding game against West Coast on Saturday, kicking five goals and polling six votes in the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award.

Travis Cloke

Travis Cloke says he does not feel pressure to sign a new deal.

Meanwhile, Magpies veteran Ben Johnson is refusing to let a serious shoulder injury end his season and plans to return before the finals.

Johnson, 31, had reconstructive surgery at the start of May. The 2010 premiership wingman is in the early stages of kicking and marking and aims to resume in Round 22 on August 25.

"I went to 'Bucks' (coach Nathan Buckley) to remind him that with every long-term injury I've had, I've come back pretty well,'' Johnson told the AFL website.

"I'm confident of coming back and playing well. I've just got to make sure the fitness is there and the shoulder strength is there.

"I'll hopefully play a couple of VFL games and I'd like to be back for the West Coast game or, at the latest, Essendon (in Round 23) to get a game in before finals.''

The 227-game veteran is keen to go around next year.

"If they want me, it would be great,'' the out-of-contract Magpie said.

"I'm 31, I've had a few injuries and it's business so I totally understand either way.''

And Collingwood today moved Lachlan Keeffe onto its long-term injury list and has upgraded Irishman Caolan Mooney from the rookie list. The pacey 19-year-old from Rostrevor in County Down has been impressing in the VFL.

- with AAP