COLLINGWOOD forward Travis Cloke says he was never going to leave the club despite the trade-week threat that he would nominate for the NAB AFL Draft.

Out of contract after playing in the Magpies' premiership win over St Kilda, a stalemate appeared in the 23-year-old's negotiations when his manager-father David confirmed he was prepared to walk into the open market.

David Cloke also said his son was disappointed to have been overlooked for the club's leadership group in recent seasons, but that his preference was to continue his 124-game career with the Pies.

Cloke, who kicked 38 goals from 24 games in 2010, signed a two-year deal just two days later.

"I wanted to stay no matter what," Cloke told collingwoodfc.com.au from Collingwood's altitude training camp in Arizona.

"It was just a matter of working out numbers and views and pretty much the finer details.

"I'm more than happy to be a Pie for a few more years."

Cloke said he had also given a verbal commitment to Nathan Buckley, who will replace Mick Malthouse as senior coach at the end of 2011.

Buckley has been in charge of the Pies' forward line in his first year as an assistant to Malthouse.

"I spoke to Bucks midway through the year when we started negotiations and said, 'Bucks, I will be here. I understand you're taking over in 12 months' time and I want to be part of this. I think we're in a great position as club'," Cloke said.

"Bucks is a fanatic on and off the field and his football brain's amazing. He's added a new dimension to our team."

Cloke said the altitude camp - Collingwood's fifth in Arizona - had been "like hell" after four days.

Club sports science director David Buttifant had predicted it would be the toughest one faced by the players.

"I have hated every minute of it. But at the same time it's been great, as we have had to push ourselves mentally and physically. And enjoying time with the boys has been fantastic," Cloke said.

Collingwood will return to Melbourne on December 1.