MELBOURNE remains concerned Travis Cloke could arrest his form slump and replicate his seven-goal heroics on Queen's Birthday at the MCG on Monday afternoon.
The Magpie spearhead failed to kick a goal in his return against Port Adelaide last weekend after spending the previous four weeks playing in the VFL.
An in-form Cloke booted seven goals straight in the corresponding fixture last year to lead Collingwood to a 25-point win over the Demons
"I hope he doesn't do that again that's for sure," Melbourne captain Nathan Jones said on Tuesday.
"He's been under a bit of pressure but watching the game last week he certainly didn't lower his colours,
"His effort was there and we expect him to be at his best again.
"We've seen first hand potentially what he can do to a game – kicking seven straight – we'll be trying to nullify him and making sure he doesn't do that again."
Magpies skipper Scott Pendlebury believes Cloke will retain his place in the team, after the 2010 premiership forward returned when Darcy Moore was sidelined with a broken collarbone
Pendlebury said Monday's match was a "must-win" game for the Magpies, who are in danger of seeing their season slip away with a win-loss record of 4-7.
"I don't think it's season over, but it makes it tough to get back from. It's a must-win game for us," Pendlebury said.
"We need to make sure that we come out with the mentality we had against Brisbane, Geelong and the Bulldogs and bring it out this week.
"We'd found some respect from the competition in those three weeks and then we washed it all away on Sunday."
The Queen's Birthday match has even greater significance considering the two teams' links to the Freeze MND campaign.
Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher has been at the forefront of raising awareness for Motor Neurone Disease, and both Pendlebury and Jones hold the cause close to their hearts
"My Grandfather passed away from it, and ‘Danners’ (Daniher) was my first coach and he gave me my first chance at AFL level," Jones said.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there on Monday and hopefully honouring Danners with our performance, and hopefully raising some money for a great cause."
Pendlebury said he could not wait until president Eddie McGuire plunges into a pit of icy water, as just one of the nominated celebrities to be dunked at the MCG prior to the game.
"My Grandfather passed away through the disease and, as Jonesy said, it's a great way to raise awareness and hopefully raise as much money as we can so one day we can find a cure for it," Pendlebury said.
