COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury has conceded Travis Cloke has work to do on his leadership skills, but insisted the key forward’s omission from the club’s leadership group had nothing to do with his recent nude photos controversy.

Pendlebury was confirmed on Thursday as the Magpies’ 2016 captain — for a third season — with Steele Sidebottom and Nathan Brown retaining their leadership roles, while Taylor Adams and Brent Macaffer have replaced Cloke and Tyson Goldsack.

He said Cloke’s involvement in sending explicit images to women via social media was not the reason for being overlooked by the playing group.

Collingwood did not take action against Cloke and Dane Swan for their involvement.

“We voted on this a long time before this incident happened, so it had nothing to do with all that,” Pendlebury said.

“It’s a player-voted thing ... the four guys behind me (Sidebottom, Brown, Adams and Macaffer) and myself were the clear cut group that the players want to lead this year, and Clokey wasn’t a part of that.”

“I think he has acknowledged that he has a way to go with his leadership.

“(But) not being a part of it and not having the title doesn’t mean we resolve him from all of his responsibilities.”

media_camera Scott Pendlebury says nude photo scandal nothing to do with Travis Cloke dumped from leadership group. Picture: Mark Stewart

Pendlebury said Cloke, who kicked 34 goals from his 17 games last year, had enjoyed a strong preseason.

“We still expect high standards from Trav even though he’s not formally part of the group,” Pendlebury said.

Pendlebury yesterday handed over the keys to five houses to homeless families in Collingwood as part of the club’s Magpie Nest initiative to provide a network of services and safe, affordable accommodation and case management support. The program is currently operating 30 houses in Melbourne.

Collingwood’s gun recruit Adam Treloar has stepped up his training this week in his return from groin surgery last year, with director of football Neil Balme saying he was now back with the main group.

“Adam Treloar is tracking very well, we’re very happy with his progress,” Balme said. “Our main objective with him to make sure the whole OP (osteitis pubis) issue doesn’t reoccur.

“He had chronic OP last year so he is going pretty well. He’s joined in the warm-up part of training for the first time this week.

“So that was a big progression for him. He’s doing a lot of work and we’re really pleased with the position he’s in. It’s really just a matter of progression and more work and more running that he needs.”

Former Demon Jeremy Howe is recovering from foot soreness, while Jamie Elliott is nursing a slight back concern. Both are considered only short-term issues.