The Post-Cloke era: Assessing Collingwood's forward options for 2017

The Cloke-Collingwood era has come to an end after a season of rumours, uncertainty and a loss of confidence, from both player, fans, and the club.

From father David’s 114 games with the club in the 1980s, to sons Travis (246 games, 441 goals), Jason (76 games) and Cameron (21 games) throughout the last decade, the Cloke surname will no longer be associated with the black and white stripes.

Travis Cloke was the most successful of the family to play with Collingwood. Along with his near 250-games, he is a premiership player, a two-time All-Australian, a Copeland Trophy winner and a four-time leading goal kicker for the Magpies.

Yet after being in and out of the Magpies’ side in 2016, the power forward officially requested a trade at the end of the season.

And now, with one forward out the door, we assess the next best options who will drive Collingwood’s forward line into the future.

Key forwards

Darcy Moore
20-year-old Darcy Moore, the son of Collingwood great Peter, is undoubtedly the future of the Collingwood forward line.

Despite playing only 26 games across two years, his first half against the West Coast Eagles had Magpie fans salivating, as he amassed eight disposals, six marks, three goals and a Rising Star Nomination.

At 200cm and 94kg, he is an incredible forward prospect. His athleticism and marking ability are attributes to be marvelled at, while his competitiveness and work rate gives Nathan Buckley something to build around.

While Moore needs to work on his set shot accuracy, he will be a 200-game player and the leader of the Magpies’ forward line from 2017 onwards.

Mason Cox
The 211cm American was awarded his chance at senior level in 2016, winning praise for his appetite for the contest, his goal kicking and marking, despite still being a raw product.

Cox played 11 games this year, including his impressive debut on Anzac Day, and clearly outplayed Jarrod Witts to become the Magpies’ back-up ruckman.

The American has a lot of work to do to feature consistently in the Pies’ best squad, but at 25 years of age, and with the departure of Cloke, 2017 could be his breakout year.

Corey Gault
After managing only six games across his three years with the club, Corey Gault’s days at Collingwood were looking numbered. Yet with the Cloke trade looming, Gault may be given a lifeline.

At 200cm and 23 years of age, Gault is a great size, and he’s a mobile and versatile forward. He’s on Collingwood’s rookie list, but 2017 could be a make or break year in his young career.

Injuries haven’t been kind, but what he lacks is the ability to make a sustained impact on the contest.

A major opportunity could be handed to him if he’s up to the task.

Jesse White
White’s second-half form of 2016 will likely extend his career with the Pies. Since his arrival in 2014, White’s inconsistency and sometimes-lacklustre performances had him on the outer with Collingwood fans.

Yet after stepping up in the absence of Cloke and Moore this year, White may have won over his critics.

As another of Collingwood’s athletic and versatile talls, White had a career-best year in marking and disposals, averaging 5.4 and 13.2 per match respectively.

At 28 years of age, White has at least three good years left in him, and with continued consistency and opportunity, he could establish himself as a key piece to the Magpies’ forward puzzle.

Small-medium forwards

Jamie Elliot
Having missed 2016 with a serious back injury, the Magpies will be eager to get their most exciting and promising small-medium forward back next year.

At his best, he’s a high-flying, skillful and damaging forward, who can change the game off his own boot and with his great set of hands.

Elliot has a tendency to fade in and out of games, but at only 24 years of age, his future is incredibly bright.

Alex Fasolo
Fasolo was having a great to start to the season, before a shoulder injury limited him to only 12 games for the year.

The forward’s hunger to compete should be admired, but he needs to work on his decision-making and discipline for the entire 120-minute contest.

Fasolo will return bigger and better in 2017, and as a great overhead mark and shot for goal, he could reach the ideal 35 goal season tally for the first time in his career.

Jordan De Goey
The pick five from the 2014 AFL Draft has been a great addition to a youthful Collingwood side over his two years.

Still only 20 years old, De Goey has played predominately in the forward half as a medium lead up target.

Although he was dropped a few times this year, he managed 16 goals from 20 games, and proved a valuable option with injuries to Fasolo and Elliot.

De Goey will be a star for Collingwood during their next run at the premiership, whether in the forward line or midfield as his body develops.

Swingmen

Ben Reid
Not only did Ben Reid have his best year with the club since his horrid two years with injury, but he also had his best statistical year in 2016.

The Pies decided not to ‘swing’ Reid forward this year, rather letting him set up play as their main man in defence.

However in 2017, with the Pies potentially lacking height up forward, Reid could be forced to play at both up ends of the ground.

Reid is no stranger to the forward half, booting 25 goals in 2013, and six majors from five games at the end of 2015.

Jeremy Howe
Having played predominantly forward for Melbourne, Howe was tipped to join Collingwood’s forward line when he arrived in the last offseason.

Yet after some poor games earlier in the season, Howe cemented his role across half-back for the Pies.

In fact, his consistency in the latter half of the year meant veterans Alan Toovey and Tyson Goldsack couldn’t get a game.

Howe knows how to kick a goal, and he definitely knows how to take a mark. If Collingwood are lacking forward prowess in 2017, he could be pushed up the ground.