Travis Cloke

Travis Cloke (born 5 March 1987) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club and Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Travis Cloke
Cloke playing with the Western Bulldogs in a pre-season match in February 2017
Personal information
Full name Travis Cloke
Date of birth (1987-03-05) 5 March 1987
Original team(s) Eastern Ranges (TAC Cup)
Draft 101 (F/S), 2004 National Draft, Collingwood
Height 196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight 108 kg (238 lb)
Position(s) Centre half-forward
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2005–2016 Collingwood 246 (441)
2017 Western Bulldogs 010 0(11)
Total 256 (452)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Cloke was drafted under the father-son rule by Collingwood in the 3rd round (no.39 overall) of the 2004 AFL Draft. He was the third and youngest son of David Cloke, 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.

AFL career

Collingwood

2005
Cloke in 2007

In 2005, after injury setbacks to key big men Josh Fraser and Anthony Rocca, 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 50s and kicking a goal. He would continue to play good football as an 18-year-old, playing 14 of the next 15 games, before he was omitted before season's end. He earned an 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. Cloke also won Collingwood's Best First-Year Player Award.

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 VFL 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
Cloke in 2008

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 50s 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, followed up by 13 kicks, 11 marks and 3 goals against Essendon. He would prove vital in the finals, being the club's 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 50s (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.

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.

2013
Cloke in 2014

After signing a 5-year, multimillion-dollar deal with magpies late in 2012,[1] Cloke started the 2013 AFL season strongly, kicking 4 goals against North Melbourne in Round 1.[2] This was followed by a dominant display in a Round 3 loss to Hawthorn, where he kicked 5 goals.[3] Cloke then kicked a career high 7 goals against Richmond in a best on ground performance,[4] despite dislocating his finger just a day before the game.[5]

2016

Cloke failed to find form during the season managing only 13 senior games and was dropped to the reserves on three occasions where he played seven games. After a season filled with criticism, speculations were growing and finally in August, he requested a trade from Collingwood[6] and he nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination.[7] Cloke was traded to the Western Bulldogs in October 2016.[8]

Western Bulldogs

2017

Cloke was a solid contributor for the Bulldogs in his first four games, but succumbed to injury and did not return until Round 9. He was dropped after his return game, and took leave from the game due to mental health issues. He returned late in the season but was again dropped after indifferent form. Cloke played 10 games and kicked 11 goals in what was overall a disappointing season, as the Bulldogs missed the finals after winning the premiership in the previous year. In late October, Cloke announced his retirement despite having a year left on his contract.[9]

Statistics
[10]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Led the league after season and finals
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2005 Collingwood 321510161183014853170.71.17.92.09.93.51.1
2006 Collingwood 32156121462517179170.40.89.71.711.45.31.1
2007 Collingwood 3225393929468362186501.61.611.82.714.57.42.0
2008 Collingwood 3223402524367310159291.71.110.62.913.56.91.3
2009 Collingwood 3222222625179330155551.01.211.43.615.07.02.5
2010 Collingwood 32243840266100366171561.61.711.14.215.37.12.3
2011 Collingwood 3225694831576391192702.81.912.63.015.67.72.8
2012 Collingwood 3225593425971330157432.41.410.42.813.26.31.7
2013 Collingwood 3222685125865323190293.12.311.73.014.78.61.3
2014 Collingwood 3220393018758245137342.01.59.42.912.36.91.7
2015 Collingwood 3217342316748215112232.01.49.82.812.66.61.4
2016 Collingwood 321317161392516487291.31.210.71.912.66.72.2
2017 Western Bulldogs 1310119823912141221.10.98.23.912.14.12.2
Career 256 452 369 2725 751 3476 1719 474 1.8 1.4 10.6 2.9 13.6 6.7 1.9

Honours and achievements
Brownlow Medal votes
Season Votes
2005 —
2006 1
2007 3
2008 5
2009 2
2010 2
2011 13
2012 7
2013 6
2014 4
2015 4
Total 47

Off-field altercations

While celebrating New Year's Eve 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.[11]

In mid-2009, Cloke's residence was shot at in the early hours of the morning.[12]

Personal life

Travis Cloke married his wife Rebeccah (née Panozza) in December 2016. The Clokes announced in May 2017 that they were expecting their first child in late October.[13]

Family relations

Travis is the son of Collingwood 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.

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See also

References
  1. Edmund, Sam. (28 September 2012) Collingwood denies Travis Cloke's contract saga killed its premiership chances. News.com.au. Retrieved on 2015-09-22.
  2. North Melbourne Vs Collingwood – Match Centre. AFL.com.au (31 March 2013). Retrieved on 2015-09-22.
  3. Collingwood Vs Hawthorn – Match Centre. AFL.com.au (14 April 2013). Retrieved on 2015-09-22.
  4. Richmond Vs Collingwood – Match Centre. AFL.com.au (20 April 2013). Retrieved on 2015-09-22.
  5. Hand, Guy (19 April 2013) Collingwood forward Travis Cloke cleared to play against Richmond despite dislocating finger. foxsports.com.au
  6. Guthrie, Ben (30 August 2016). "Veteran Magpie Cloke asks to be traded". AFL.com.au. BigPond. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  7. Pierik, Jon (16 September 2016). "Travis Cloke closing in on a two-year deal with Western Bulldogs". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  8. "Travis Cloke traded to Western Bulldogs for pick 76". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  9. Watrerworth, Ben (25 October 2017). "Travis Cloke announces retirement after long AFL career with Collingwood and Western Bulldogs". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  10. "Travis Cloke". AFL Tables. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  11. "Travis Cloke hurt in confrontation". realfooty.com.au. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  12. "Shot fired at Ringwood North home of Collingwood's Travis Cloke". Herald Sun. 21 May 2009.
  13. Byrne, Fiona (6 May 2017). "Western Bulldogs star Travis Cloke and wife Rebeccah expecting first child". The Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
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