Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke would have made his stunning return to form, with or without his illegal glove, Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron says.
The AFL has banned the glove Cloke wore on Saturday to protect two swollen fingers during the Magpies' 32-point upset of the Giants at Spotless Stadium.
He kicked four goals and took 12 marks - five of them contested - in his best performance this season amid his ongoing struggle to hold his place in the senior team.
On Wednesday, the AFL checked the glove and ruled it was not allowed under its guidelines, slapping the 29-year-old with a $1500 fine.
Given he was able to recapture form that had made him a four-time leading goalkicker with the Magpies, he might consider it money well spent.
Cloke first wore it the week before in the Pies' win over Carlton, believed to be the first time in about a year he had done so.
He is understood to have believed it was fine for use, because it was similar to an approved one he had worn before.
Asked on Wednesday whether he thought the glove could have given Cloke an advantage due to its potential stickiness, Cameron said his fellow forward was simply in form on the day.
"I did hear the boys talking about it a little bit, but it didn't really matter if he had a glove on or not," Cameron said.
"He was on on the day.
"It's great to see Trav - a forward like myself - playing good football again.
"It's always hard going back and playing in the twos, but the way he played was awesome."
Cameron felt "a little bit" for Cloke, who had been in and out of the team all season and widely criticised for his form slump.
"But I mentioned to him after the game, 'Why did you have to find form against us?'," he said.
"But it is great to see him doing well."
Cameron said he'd tried a glove on a few occasions, but didn't feel it helped his game.
