Travis Cloke
Encyclopedia
Travis Cloke is a professional Australian rules football
er playing in the Australian Football League
. Cloke was drafted under the father-son rule by Collingwood in the 3rd round (no.38 overall) of the 2004 AFL Draft
. He was the third and final son of David
, who played 333 matches for Richmond and Collingwood between 1974 and 1991, joining older brothers Jason
and Cameron
. Travis was drafted as a key-position player at 195 cm, capable as a back-up ruckman.
, Anthony Rocca
and Tom Davidson
, Cloke would make his debut in front of a 70,000 strong crowd on ANZAC Day
against Essendon, where he would make an immediate impact at centre half-forward, having 16 disposals, 8 inside 50's and kicking a goal. He would continue to play good football as an 18 year old, playing 14 of the next 15 games, before omitted before season's end. He earned a AFL Rising Star nomination in round 10 after several impressive weeks, following 16 touches and two goals against the West Coast Eagles
with 15 touches, 6 marks, 4 tackles and a goal against Hawthorn
. He managed an inaccurate 10.16 in his debut season, but many behinds coming from outside 50 metres, showing his penetrating left boot. He is known for his lack of accuracy on goal.
and being named emergency three times including the qualifying final. He averaged just over 11 disposals a game and 5 marks, but only kicked 6.12 in 15 matches as a centre half-forward. He was played in the back half in a handful of matches, but was needed inside forward 50. He did however still send the ball inside 50 on numerous occasions, and showed good hands. His turnaround came in rounds 16–19, where he made a return from the reserves. He had 15 touches and 5 marks in defence against West Coast, before standing tall at centre half-forward the next week with a to date career high 22 touches and 12 marks, as well as two goals against Hawthorn. He averaged 17 disposals and 8 marks in the defining month of football.
He would then kick 9 goals in the next four matches, including 16 kicks, 11 marks and 3.4 against Carlton in Round 7.
Despite accuracy concerns, which had been a concern since the start of his career, he kicked a goal in fourteen consecutive games, and his close to All-Australian form would progress in the second half of the season. He had 20 disposals, 10 marks and kicked 4 goals against premiers Geelong
, followed up by 13 kicks, 11 marks and 3 goals against Essendon.
He would prove vital in the finals, being the clubs best player in September, which awarded him a surprise Copeland Trophy
as the Collingwood best and fairest, just aged 20 years old.
His finals campaign saw him average 18 disposals, 11 marks and kicking 7 goals in the three games. He played all 25 matches, leading the club in long kicks (122) and inside 50's (121, 3rd AFL), whilst taking 36 contested marks. His season would be defining, where he would become one of the best forwards in the league, named at #26 in Mike Sheahan
's pre-season top 50 for 2008.
in 2008 with some friends, Cloke was hurt in a confrontation with several men while on holidays in a Maroochydore
holiday unit above them, after asking them to make less noise.
In mid-2009, Cloke's residence was shot at in the early hours of the morning.
and Richmond
footballer David
, who played VFL
football from 1974 to 1991, for a total of 333 matches. Travis played alongside his two older brothers Jason
and Cameron
, until the end of the 2006 season where his two brothers were delisted. Cameron however was picked up in the AFL Pre-Season Draft
by Carlton, while Jason has been a success for Bendigo
and Williamstown in the VFL
. In 2010 Cameron moved to Port Adelaide
but played only one match before being delisted the same year.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er playing in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. Cloke was drafted under the father-son rule by Collingwood in the 3rd round (no.38 overall) of the 2004 AFL Draft
2004 AFL Draft
The 2004 AFL Draft, concerning player acquisitions in the 2004/05 Australian Football League off-season, consisted of a trade period, a national draft, a pre-season draft, and the elevation of rookies...
. He was the third and final son of David
David Cloke
David Cloke is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL.Cloke was a powerful ruckman and occasional forward who enjoyed a marvellous career at two VFL/AFL clubs. He began with Oakleigh where he played alongside his brother Peter, and in 1974 he went to Richmond...
, who played 333 matches for Richmond and Collingwood between 1974 and 1991, joining older brothers Jason
Jason Cloke
Jason Cloke is an Australian rules footballer, who played in the Australian Football League with the Collingwood Football Club.-Career:...
and Cameron
Cameron Cloke
Cameron Cloke is former Australian rules footballer. He is the son of former Richmond and Collingwood champion David Cloke.-AFL career:...
. Travis was drafted as a key-position player at 195 cm, capable as a back-up ruckman.
2005
In 2005, injury setbacks to key big men Josh FraserJosh Fraser
Josh Fraser is a professional Australian rules football player currently playing for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League and formerly of the Collingwood Football Club....
, Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca is a former Australian rules footballer who has played with the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in the Australian Football League...
and Tom Davidson
Tom Davidson
Tom Davidson is a former Australian rules footballer who was recruited from the Geelong Falcons in the 2001 AFL Draft by the Collingwood Football Club....
, Cloke would make his debut in front of a 70,000 strong crowd on ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
against Essendon, where he would make an immediate impact at centre half-forward, having 16 disposals, 8 inside 50's and kicking a goal. He would continue to play good football as an 18 year old, playing 14 of the next 15 games, before omitted before season's end. He earned a AFL Rising Star nomination in round 10 after several impressive weeks, following 16 touches and two goals against the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
with 15 touches, 6 marks, 4 tackles and a goal against Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
. He managed an inaccurate 10.16 in his debut season, but many behinds coming from outside 50 metres, showing his penetrating left boot. He is known for his lack of accuracy on goal.
2006
2006 would see Cloke have an inconsistent season, dropped once, and failing to make immediate returns after late withdrawals twice during the season, playing five games in the VFLVFL
VFL can refer to:Sport* Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996....
and being named emergency three times including the qualifying final. He averaged just over 11 disposals a game and 5 marks, but only kicked 6.12 in 15 matches as a centre half-forward. He was played in the back half in a handful of matches, but was needed inside forward 50. He did however still send the ball inside 50 on numerous occasions, and showed good hands. His turnaround came in rounds 16–19, where he made a return from the reserves. He had 15 touches and 5 marks in defence against West Coast, before standing tall at centre half-forward the next week with a to date career high 22 touches and 12 marks, as well as two goals against Hawthorn. He averaged 17 disposals and 8 marks in the defining month of football.
2007
After an inconsistent first two seasons, Cloke was poised to shrug off second-year blues, and did so with fine fashion in 2007. Cloke would start round one and steadily improve each game, starting at his preferred position, centre half-forward. He played consistent but not eye catching footy early on, before having a productive ANZAC Day match, with 24 disposals, 13 marks, 10 inside 50's and 4 score assists along with 1.3.He would then kick 9 goals in the next four matches, including 16 kicks, 11 marks and 3.4 against Carlton in Round 7.
Despite accuracy concerns, which had been a concern since the start of his career, he kicked a goal in fourteen consecutive games, and his close to All-Australian form would progress in the second half of the season. He had 20 disposals, 10 marks and kicked 4 goals against premiers Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
, followed up by 13 kicks, 11 marks and 3 goals against Essendon.
He would prove vital in the finals, being the clubs best player in September, which awarded him a surprise Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
as the Collingwood best and fairest, just aged 20 years old.
His finals campaign saw him average 18 disposals, 11 marks and kicking 7 goals in the three games. He played all 25 matches, leading the club in long kicks (122) and inside 50's (121, 3rd AFL), whilst taking 36 contested marks. His season would be defining, where he would become one of the best forwards in the league, named at #26 in Mike Sheahan
Mike Sheahan
Michael "Mike" Sheahan is an Australian journalist who specialises in Australian rules football. He is Chief Football Writer and Associate Sports Editor for the Herald Sun, a panelist on the Fox Sports program "On the Couch" and former Media Director for the VFL .Sheahan attended Werribee High...
's pre-season top 50 for 2008.
2008
Coming off the back of a best and fairest season, Cloke averaged two goals in his first six matches. When injury struck the Magpie camp, Cloke was forced to hold up the forward line with the opposition’s tall defenders covering him for most of the season. On two occasions, Cloke kicked five majors (round six and round 21) highlighting the fact that with a supportive cast in the forward line, the centre-half forward is capable of being a key scoring threat. His best game was against Essendon on Anzac Day taking 14 marks and kicking five goals. The 21-year-old finished sixth in the Copeland Trophy.Off-field altercations
While celebrating New Year's EveNew Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
in 2008 with some friends, Cloke was hurt in a confrontation with several men while on holidays in a Maroochydore
Maroochydore, Queensland
Maroochydore is an urban centre on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.Maroochydore is a major commercial area of the Sunshine Coast with most shopping precincts located in the central business district. It is home to the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre and the Sunshine Coast's major bus...
holiday unit above them, after asking them to make less noise.
In mid-2009, Cloke's residence was shot at in the early hours of the morning.
Family relations
Travis is the son of CollingwoodCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
footballer David
David Cloke
David Cloke is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL.Cloke was a powerful ruckman and occasional forward who enjoyed a marvellous career at two VFL/AFL clubs. He began with Oakleigh where he played alongside his brother Peter, and in 1974 he went to Richmond...
, who played VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
football from 1974 to 1991, for a total of 333 matches. Travis played alongside his two older brothers Jason
Jason Cloke
Jason Cloke is an Australian rules footballer, who played in the Australian Football League with the Collingwood Football Club.-Career:...
and Cameron
Cameron Cloke
Cameron Cloke is former Australian rules footballer. He is the son of former Richmond and Collingwood champion David Cloke.-AFL career:...
, until the end of the 2006 season where his two brothers were delisted. Cameron however was picked up in the AFL Pre-Season Draft
AFL Pre-season Draft
The AFL Pre-season Draft is the drafting of uncontracted players to teams in the Australian Football League. The draft is conducted after the National AFL Draft and before the start of the next AFL season. It is conducted at the same time as the AFL rookie draft...
by Carlton, while Jason has been a success for Bendigo
Bendigo Bombers
The Bendigo Bombers Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia playing in the Victorian Football League .-Brief history:...
and Williamstown in the VFL
VFL
VFL can refer to:Sport* Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996....
. In 2010 Cameron moved to Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
but played only one match before being delisted the same year.