Team effort needed to stop Cloke

Collingwood forward Travis Cloke can expect to confront three different Fremantle defenders on Saturday night. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD forward Travis Cloke can expect to confront three different Fremantle defenders on Saturday night.

Luke McPharlin is expected to be Cloke's primary opponent, but the All-Australian backman is also tipping Zac Dawson and Michael Johnson to line up alongside the in-form Magpies forward at some stage during the match.

"It will most likely be myself if he's playing a bit deeper, but if he's playing up the ground we do have structures in place where Michael Johnson might take him," McPharlin said.

"These days in the modern game you can end up playing on two or three different opponents throughout the night so you need to get your head around a few different players.

"You always look forward to the big challenges and myself, Zac Dawson and Michael Johnson - whoever is on him at whatever point in time - will certainly relish the opportunity to play against one of the best forwards in the competition."

Cloke has kicked 22 goals this season - one behind Coleman Medal leader Lindsay Thomas from North Melbourne.

The 2010 Collingwood premiership player booted three telling goals in the final quarter of last Friday's game against St Kilda to seal victory for the Magpies.

McPharlin, who is captaining the Dockers in injured skipper Matthew Pavlich's absence, said the club would review tapes of Cloke's recent performances in the coming days.

"Obviously his contested mark is his great strength and he's been kicking some goals too," McPharlin said.

"As we know, he's been a formidable forward for a couple of years now so that's a big challenge and something we're going to have to stop.

"With a player like that, it's very much a team approach and the pressure up the field needs to be right so he doesn't get the delivery he would like."

Fremantle midfielder Stephen Hill remains on track to play against Collingwood after missing last Saturday's win over Gold Coast with a quadriceps injury.

Meanwhile, McPharlin said he had no issues with the pushing rule despite the recent player and coach backlash following Scott Thompson's unpaid mark last weekend.

"It's really just about standing your ground and trying to fight for your position," he said.

"It is challenging, but like anything...with the umpiring of it, people make mistakes at different times.

"I feel I've got a pretty good grasp and understanding of it."

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