Collingwood’s Cloke “pissed off”, but staying put
Collingwood AFL forward Travis Cloke has dismissed suggestions he could leave the Magpies despite his anger at being dropped.
Travis Cloke in action against the Demons before he was dropped. Photo: Julian Smith, AAP.
Cloke struggled mightily through the first four rounds of the season before coach Nathan Buckley finally swung the axe ahead of the Pies’ round five encounter against Essendon on Anzac Day.
“I was pissed off is the best way to put it,” Cloke said of the move on RSN 927 radio.
“I debuted 13 years ago on that day, so it’s pretty special to me and I hadn’t missed one since, so I was pretty annoyed.
“(But) I understand he’s the coach and he makes the call not for the individual, (but) for the team.
“I’ve copped it on the chin and gone back and really worked on my footy the last few weeks.”
Cloke has been up and down at VFL level, but maintains he has bought into the program and will continue to do so until he forces his way back into the senior side.
“I look forward to the challenge … I’m definitely not going to shy away from it and walk out on this club,” he said.
“I love the place. I’ve been involved here since I was 16 doing work experience at Collingwood so I’m looking forward to the coming weeks.
“I’m hanging to get back into the senior side, that’s for sure.
“I’ve had enough of VFL football.”
-AAP
