Collingwood want more goalkicking oomph but Travis Cloke is only part of the equation.
The Magpies have two wins from four AFL games ahead of their big Easter Saturday clash against North Melbourne, putting them ninth on the ladder.
But when it comes to “points for”, they are only 12th.
“We feel like we’re a five or six out of 10 with our offence … through the first month,” said coach Nathan Buckley.
One of the reasons has been Cloke’s up-and-down start to the season – he has only kicked two goals and been held goal-less for the last two games.
“He’s been out of form – probably the Sydney game (in round two) is the only (one) where he was able to maintain a really high, consistent workrate and give us what he would expect of himself,” Buckley said.
“That’s not a high-scoring game, but it’s just the continual target that is going to be competitive in the air for us.
“I’m absolutely positive we’ll continue to get that from him.
“He wants to play better, we’d love him to play better.”
Buckley added there was a lot more to improving their attack than Cloke returning to form, saying the other forwards and also midfielders needed to be more productive in attack.
The `Pies coach wants Collingwood to become harder for opponents to defend against.
Cloke will face another major test on Saturday when he confronts Kangaroos defender Scott Thompson, who is coming off an outstanding game against Sydney where he kept star forward Lance Franklin from kicking a goal.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Multicultural round was changed in 2018 showing that the AFL have not been as committed to multiculturalism as they should be.
Collingwood led by a point with minutes to go, Kyle Langford had the chance to be the hero with a set shot, however, he missed, and we saw the first draw of the season.
Eddie McGuire's latest bold idea has dropped - for North Melbourne to take over the outskirts of Melbourne and use it to rejuvenate the…
For all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the now-traditional Anzac Day clash at the MCG, there has been one thing conspicuously lacking over…
The AFL has confirmed the right decision was made after a ball ricocheted off a boundary umpire's leg during the third quarter of Melbourne's…
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
