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Cloke and dagger as Magpies finally perform

Have the Magpies turned a corner? (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Roar Pro
25th April, 2016
39

Now, that’s the Collingwood of old!

The much-anticipated Anzac Day game was done and won after the first quarter. Collingwood had kicked 52 points to Essendon’s 7.

It was Collingwood’s highest first quarter score under coach Nathan Buckley.

Travis Cloke was dropped for the game. He’s been struggling of late, with just five goals and three contested marks in the opening four rounds, yet some still suggested it was the wrong move to drop him for this particular game.

He’s been horribly out of form, but the Anzac Day game is huge. Dropping your $800,000 forward to the VFL on a Sunday afternoon, on the eve of Anzac Day – is it the right move?

Cloke only managed two first-quarter goals and five disposals for his first VFL game. With 17 goals to four after the quarter-time break, the Collingwood twos were thrashed, losing to Essendon by 85 points.

Quality ball supply was hardly forthcoming, but surely a more dominant display was expected of Cloke, especially against such lowly opposition.

American-born and raised, Mason Cox was called in to take Cloke’s place for the Anzac Day clash against Essendon. His parents had flown in from the US to watch their son make his long-awaited AFL debut.

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As if a script was written, Cox would kick the first goal of the game. The crowd would rise and cheer. His teammates would gather from everywhere to congratulate him. Yep, that happened.

Up until now, Collingwood have been stagnant, lack-lustre and slow. Today they were back to the Magpies of old. Fast, enthusiastic, team-spirited and playing on at all costs. Their ball movement was exceptional.

A 76-point margin at half time, Collingwood dominated in all areas. It was a one-way street.

What’s changed for Collingwood? Two things.

Essendon’s inexperience could have possibly made Collingwood look better than they actually are and Travis Cloke, their star forward, their go-to-man to kick the goals needed to win games. He’s gone.

After a dominant 69-point win, clearly they don’t need him. Maybe, just maybe, they were even hampered by his presence.

Were Collingwood clogged by Cloke? Could the answer be that easy? There’s still a lot to prove, and next week, against the West Coast Eagles (at home) will truly tell us if a corner has been turned for the Magpies.

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