COLLINGWOOD forward Chris Dawes says he's happy to play second fiddle to forward line comrade Travis Cloke if it means the Magpies are more prolific on the scoreboard.

Dawes has kicked 27 goals for the season, while Cloke has managed 66, and Andrew Krakouer and Dane Swan 32 each.

The 23-year-old has acknowledged he "should have kicked more goals this year", despite missing seven games with a broken knuckle, but believes his importance to the team - and Cloke's performance - isn't always measured on the scoreboard.

"I often get lumped in the same category as Trav and they say, 'Collingwood's got two power forwards', whereas probably in reality, we've got a dominant forward and a role player in me," he told afl.com.au this week.

"We're similar in terms of our ability to cover ground but he's stronger, a better mark, and probably even a better kick.

"As long as I understand my role within that, I think that's why we're able to work quite well together.

"When I'm contributing in the role I've got to do, it kind of takes the pressure away from him. That's what I hope happens, anyway.

"There are other ways I can contribute outside of scoring, and that's often defensive pressure or if my work rate and possession rate is up, it means the opposition has to worry about me and Travis, and if I'm down, they can drop off me pretty quickly and then it makes it harder for Trav."

The two big Pies have a big task ahead of them in Saturday's Grand Final against Geelong.

They've been quiet against Geelong both times the teams have met this year, with both booting two goals across the two games; the round eight three-point defeat, and the 96-point landslide loss in round 24.

The idea of them lining up side by side and taking mark after mark is too simplistic, with the younger of the two happy to take a less flashy role in order to clear the path for his more experienced counterpart.

Maintaining a good off-field relationship is an integral part of the on-field chemistry between Cloke and Dawes that is required for that to occur, with the duo good mates as well as forward line partners.

Their lockers sit next to each other, given their guernsey numbers of 31 and 32, and there's just over one year in age separating the two.

They have similar interests away from the game, although Cloke admits he has little attention for further education while Dawes is studying law at Victoria University.

And they both know just how important it is to build and maintain that relationship, to ensure they've got the greatest chance to performing well as a two-pronged forward attack when the Pies take to the field.

"You need that connection off field to have a good relationship on field," Cloke told afl.com.au this week.

"We're the same type of age, have the same types of interests although Dawesy goes to uni and I'm not really big into that but I've got an interest in what he does and he's really enjoying himself at uni.

"I'm always asking him about what he's doing and likewise."

For Dawes, breaking into the senior side and holding his spot on a regular basis in 2010 signalled the start of his important partnership with Cloke.

He had played just 10 games before that season, and then came into the side in round five for 20 senior appearances, including the Magpies' two Grand Finals.

However, he started learning how to play with Cloke long before that, after realising the extent of his fellow forward's work ethic while he worked his way back from the knee injury he arrived at the club with in late 2006.

"I've always considered him as being the hardest worker in the game, or the hardest forward line player, possibly [Nick] Riewoldt you could argue is the same because he's impressive with his athleticism," Dawes said.

"Trav is impressive for just his sheer effort, and from my first year at the club I tried to take some of that and get that into my game, and hopefully that's starting to show a bit."

Dawes is out of contract at the end of next season but this week reaffirmed his commitment to Collingwood beyond 2012 and said he wants to remain at the club.

The thought of his continuing presence in the Pies' attacking structure has Cloke smiling, as he knows he not only has a bevy of small forwards to work with and bring the ball to ground for, but he has a similarly-sized partner in crime that makes his life easier.

"It's great knowing it's not just about one person. It's not always on to Swanny in the midfield or Pendles, and they've now got Bally as well," he said.

"It's the same up back; Taz has Reidy there to help him and hopefully Nathan Brown as well when he comes back.

"Dawesy and I help one another out and we've got Krak up there as well.

"We all need each other so much and it's looking pretty important that we all stay together."

Jennifer Witham covers Collingwood news for the AFL Website. Follow on her Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.