For those who believe the Pies are destined to spend years in the football wilderness you had better think again.... TRAVIS Cloke insists Collingwood will hit back hard after a frustrating 2014 season, saying the club is building towards its next premiership. The key forward says the Magpies are reshaping their playing list, not rebuilding, and remains confident they can once more play finals again next season. “My decision a few years ago was to stay (at Collingwood) and try to win another premiership and I still believe we can do that,” Cloke said. “I am chasing another one. I’ve got one (2010). I’m greedy, I want another one. “I am 27. (But) I am not an old duck, even though I may be one of the older players in our squad now.” Cloke acknowledged there had been a number of changes to the Collingwood list in recent seasons, but put his faith in what coach Nathan Buckley’s direction for the club. “Bucks is very upbeat, as he should be,” Cloke said. “We are a very young side. We have a young list, but we are not saying we are building. “We will be a part of the top half of the teams and we want to compete. The boys can’t wait to get back into it. We are here for success, that’s what everyone wants” The Magpies missed the finals this season for first time since 2005 after dropping to 11th on the ladder off the back of a long injury list to key players and some fluctuating form in the second half of the season. Cloke said a meeting of the playing group as well as the coaching and fitness staff on the day of the Copeland Trophy earlier this month had shown the commitment the club had to getting better. “It was really positive,” he said. “It was good to get the boys back together and look forward to what the pre-season is going to look like.” Cloke said he could not bring himself to watch the second half of the Grand Final as Hawthorn tightened the screws on Sydney, saying he felt jealous of the Hawks for their sustained success. “I was very envious and jealous of the guys competing,” he said. “I’m hoping the rest of our group feels the same. “You just want to be a part of that again. If you are not envious of the guys competing on Grand Final day, you are here for the wrong reasons.” Cloke had a few niggles throughout what was a frustrating 2014 season, in which he played 20 games but kicked only 39 goals. He missed the last two games due to an ankle injury, but says he will be right to go when the pre-season starts later next month. “I’m just taking my time now, but I’ll be ready for the pre-season,” he said.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:26:47 +0000
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