Cloke, 29, impressed for the Pies' reserves on Saturday, as he rotated through the forward line and ruck. His four-major haul against Williamstown was clearly the veteran's best effort since being dropped a month ago after a lean start to the season.

But Cloke's return to form coincided with the AFL Magpies' most significant win this season - a 24-point victory over premiership contenders Geelong at the MCG.

Cloke is being kept out of the team by tall forwards Mason Cox, Darcy Moore and Jesse White - with the latter used in defence as well.

Buckley said big man Jarrod Witts is also in the mix for a recall after an excellent display in the VFL. Saturday's game against the Seagulls his third straight in the state league since returning from a hand issue. Witts or Cloke would likely need to dislodge one of the forwards, or fellow ruckman Brodie Grundy, whose form over the past fortnight has been strong.

The Magpies (4-5) face the Western Bulldogs next Sunday at the MCG, and the race for spots against the Dogs is heating up, according to Buckley. "Probably all those boys, Darcy Moore, Mason Cox, Jesse White, Brodie Grundy are sort of competing for tall forward positions and ruck positions," Buckley told 3AW on Sunday.

"We've got some fair competition in and around those all spots. The ruck spot and potentially the deepest forward is a position which is as combative internally as any, I would have thought.

"I suppose in the end in any position, it's guys that are contributing to the way we want to play, but also being able to play their role in the manner it needs to be.

"It's all about the team, and what's best for the team."

White's contract expires at season's end - and his career looked to be at the crossroads after being dropped following the round four loss to Melbourne - a match in which was well beaten in defence. But the former Sydney forward returned to face Carlton a fortnight ago, and has held his own.

"Jesse's come in and played an important role," Buckley said.

"Jesse's probably more mobile than the other boys...he's also got the capacity to chip in in the ruck."

Midfielder Steele Sidebottom said White's attitude after being omitted had been exemplary. "It's a real credit to Jesse," Sidebottom said.

Sidebottom had 31 disposals against the Cats in what was his 150th game.

Speaking in the rooms after the match, he said the Magpies had been "harder on each other" in recent weeks, echoing the sentiments of teammate Adam Treloar, who claimed after the loss to the Blues that the Pies needed "tough love" to change their fortunes.

Vice-captain Sidebottom said there had been an increased resolve among the playing group in recent weeks, acknowledging that the Magpies had at times been "going through the motions" at training earlier in the season.

Buckley reiterated that effort was a non-negotiable. "If you're at the top level, and you start coaching effort, it's a slippery slope. So the leaders and the players are responsible and accountable for bringing great effort whether it's training, whether it's a gym session, whether it's 100 per cent focus at a team meeting or whether it' rocking up on game day."

The coach, whose contract was extended pre-season until the end of 2017, said it had been vital for the Pies not to get distracted by the "outside rhetoric" despite the pressure which had mounted prior to the round eight win over the Brisbane Lions.

"The important thing is to make the internal conversation so compelling that it cuts out all the bullshit outside. That's our task."

Experienced pair Tyson Goldsack and Brent Macaffer were both in the VFL Pies' best on Saturday, while Marley Williams played, taking another step on his road back from a foot injury.