‘Pies want Cloke just to play AFL role

Regardless of Travis Cloke’s star power, Collingwood want nothing more from him on Sunday than any other returning player.

The Magpies key forward is back from his six-match AFL exile for the must-win clash against Port Adelaide at the MCG.

Cloke, Ben Sinclair and Matthew Goodyear were recalled after Collingwood’s latest injury crisis, when they lost Darcy Moore, Alex Fasolo and Taylor Adams in last weekend’s loss to the Western Bulldogs.

‘Pies key defender Jack Frost said while Cloke can have a big impact, they just want him to do his job.

“A lot of the times he’s a barometer – if Trav’s playing well and taking those big grabs that we all love to see and kicking his goals, it would give the whole team confidence,” Frost told AAP.

“But no matter what position you’re in … they all have a role and they know how to play it.

“All we expect from him is to play his role.”

This will be the first time since round two that Cloke and Frost have played in the same team.

Frost was dropped for rounds three and four and he returned as Cloke was omitted for the big Anzac Day win over Essendon.

When Frost was dropped, Collingwood’s defence was in disarray.

Injuries and form meant they had used 16 players for the six defensive posts in the opening month of the season.

Given the AFL maxim that stable backlines deliver premierships, it is no surprise that Collingwood started the season so poorly.

“It is good to play with a consistent back six, because you learn how everyone plays and you can read off each other,” Frost said.

“It’s hard to settle when you have ins and outs and I was one of them as well.

“But the way we go about it is we have a plan and no matter who goes into the back six, they know the plan and so it’s easier to work together.”

Port have named Austin Logan for his AFL debut.

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