TRAVIS Cloke's booted four goals in the VFL on Saturday to put himself in contention for a spot in Collingwood's senior team next week.
Three of his goals came in the opening term.
It was Cloke's fourth consecutive match in the reserves and the first time he has kicked more than two goals in a game at any level since round 11 last year, against GWS.
Collingwood VFL coach Dale Tapping was pleased with Cloke's efforts in the five-point win against Williamstown at the Holden Centre.
"He worked very hard. He was a presence for us in the forward half of the ground," Tapping said.
"The boys got the ball in there to advantage to him, and his marking, particularly early in the game, was positive."
Cloke, 29, played the opening four matches of the AFL season before being dropped ahead of the Anzac Day match against Essendon.
Tapping noted the better output from Cloke but said there were areas for the forward to work on.
"His finish was better (than in previous weeks)," Tapping said.
"(He's) still got to keep improving around his positioning and those sort of things, just like all the players really.
"He's still working his way back to form."
Magpies football boss Neil Balme told SEN on Friday that Cloke would return to the AFL if he returned to his best form, regardless of how the incumbents in the senior team performed.
Jesse White and Mason Cox each bagged a pair of goals in the senior team on Saturday as the Pies upset Geelong by 24 points.
Midfielder James Aish was another who performed well in the VFL, with the
20-year-old sharing his time between a wing and in a more inside role.
"He was solid in the role that he was asked to play," Tapping said.
"Some of his pressure work was good, and that's been an area that we've been working on with him."
Defender Marley Williams took to the field for the first time since spraining a foot in round three.
Williams, 22, was on limited game time and was involved in only the final three quarters.
"He gave us some good rebound out of the back half, and ball use," Tapping said.
"He got through the game well, so he'll just keep building his fitness now."
Collingwood faces the Western Bulldogs in the AFL next Sunday at the MCG.