Key forward Cloke has been subdued so far this year, restricted to just two goals for the season. He was subjected to Bronx cheers by a portion of the crowd during his 200th game on Friday night, in which he went goalless in the Magpies' 38-point victory over Richmond.

Pendlebury emphasised that Cloke's impact could not be measured solely in goals.

"It must be tough for him at times but we just keep telling Trav to compete," Pendlebury said at a Collingwood school holiday clinic on Monday. "The best thing about Trav is, if he doesn't mark it, he brings the ball to ground. He rarely gets out-marked so it's great for all our little guys to finally get some crumbs.

"But sooner or later he's going to start clunking them again and there's going to be not much left for anyone else."

The Collingwood captain urged those who had engaged in the sarcastic applause to be aware of Cloke's work ethic.

"Football's a tough game at times," he said. "Don't forget how hard this guy works for the football club. He rarely gets beaten and everyone expects him to kick a few goals a week and take big marks but, at the moment, he's providing such a good contest."

Victory over the Tigers squared the Magpies' ledger at 2-2 but, despite a tough opening month of the season, Pendlebury was not anticipating an easier path forward.

"We've got a few tough games to go," he said. "Every side that you see on the weekend there's great battles going on everywhere and every side's playing good footy on any given week."

The star midfielder had been impressed with the form of North Melbourne, against whom Collingwood faced off on Saturday at the MCG.

"North have played really good footy the last three weeks. They've beaten some really good sides, they're running out games really strongly, so we're under no illusions that it's going to be a real battle this week."

Pendlebury heaped praise upon midfielders Brent Macaffer and Dane Swan. The former nullified Richmond captain Trent Cotchin on Friday night, containing the Tiger linchpin to just 13 disposals.

Pies tagger Macaffer came under fire for his questionable close-checking tactics, but Pendlebury defended his teammate's approach.

"Caffs done that role last year and he was able to shut down good players and he was able to shut down Cotchin on the weekend. So credit to Caff, he did his role and what was asked.

"He did use illegal tactics. He got pinged five times so he'll clean that up and do another role for us."

Brownlow medalist Swan returned to form with 27 disposals and two goals against Richmond, which came as no surprise to Pendlebury.

"I thought Swanny played really well on Friday night. He looked to have a bit more run in his legs but, more importantly, played the role that [Nathan Buckley] wanted him to play and I think Swanny said after the game that all us midfielders can probably expect to drop a few possessions because there's so many of us going through there now."