Outgoing Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has announced that the Western Bulldogs are his preferred destination for 2017.
Cloke told the Magpiesย on Tuesday that he will be seeking a trade this off-season and the 29-year-old told Channel Nine on Thursday night that he intends to continue his career at the Whitten Oval.
"I've enjoyed watching their (Bulldogs) footy I guess over the last two years to see how Bevo (coach Luke Beveridge) has changed their whole football club around," Cloke said.
"I actually haven't spoken to Bevo as such but I'm sure in the coming weeks I will.
"They've got their own finals campaign at the moment and obviously going to do very well.
"I'll watch them as a keen supporter as most will.
"If that's where I do end up, they play a very exciting brand of footy and I feel like I could improve their side but also they can get the best out of me and we can work something out there."
Cloke managed just 17 goals in 13 games this season, after he was dropped on three separate occasions.
However, the 2010 premiership player said he held no ill feeling towards coach Nathan Buckley.
"My friendship with Bucks is always going to be the same, our relationship as a coach and player obviously had its ups and downs this year as well," he said.
"Bucks is a great fella, we've always got along, we've always been very supportive. I guess I just didn't fit into the game structure of the game set-up for the Collingwood Footy Club. It's disappointing."
A straight swap for Bulldog Lin Jong is one option the two clubs will consider to facilitate a trade, after the youngster had a tour ofย the Holden Centre earlier this season, as he weighs up a move to the Magpiesin the off-season.
Watch the first half of the 2011 grand final and pay this bloke some respect. He may not be the player he was but back in the day he was near unstoppable. He is also incredibly durable…has hardly missed a game in all his time at the pies. It is sad he has to go but you can’t blame the big fella when he wants to play seniors. look at Steve Johnson leaving cats…I just think Trav would be better off at say Brisbane, where they would give him 2-3 years at $500K per year.
Trav still adds a lot but Bucks going for a more mobile forward line and looking to build the next flag. Pies should be top 4 next year and could even pull a flag next year, if not 2018-2020 they may well win all three with this list they have. As for Trav show the man some respect..I think you’ll find he has played 246 more games than you keyboard warriors.