DROPPED Collingwood forward Travis Cloke booted five goals in the VFL on Saturday as he mounts his case for a return to the senior team.

Cloke was omitted for the third time this season after lining up in seven straight senior games. 

It was a slow start to the game for the 29-year-old, who helped Collingwood beat Port Melbourne by 16 points at Victoria Park, 12.12 (84) to 10.8 (68). 

Cloke slotted a goal in the first term after working hard with multiple leads.

He was quiet in the second term, but a change of boots at the main break seemed to help. Cloke came out with three goals in the first 15 minutes of the third quarter.

His fourth of the game was particularly impressive – a strong pack mark was followed by a nailed set shot on the wrong side for a left-footer.

Fans have their say on Cloke's future

Magpies coach Dale Tapping said the focus for Cloke had been to be a strong target in the air.

"It wasn't so much about the goals. He played a forward role and clearly had a presence in the game. It was more about giving a strong contest and creating opportunities for himself and for smaller forwards," Tapping told AFL.com.au. 

"He actually marked the ball really well. He took some really good contested marks.

"His attitude towards the game was first-class."

Inaccuracy has been a problem for Cloke throughout his career but he converted all of his set shots. However, his field kicking was a little more wayward.

His final goal was important in helping to seal the victory. The margin had closed to 10 points and Port looked to rebound the ball from defence, but a turnover meant the Pies were able to find Cloke alone in the forward line. He put it through from close to the 50m arc and ended the match with 12 marks.

Collingwood's 11th straight win saw it move to the top of the ladder midway through the round.

Travis Cloke gets a handball away against Port Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images