Travis Cloke

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**Travis Cloke**
Personal information

Birth	March 5, 1987 (1987-03-05) (age 21), Victoria
Recruited from	Park Orchards/Eastern U18
Height and weight	196 cm / 103kg
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 5, April 25, 2005, Collingwood vs. Essendon, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Team(s)	Collingwood (2005-) Carreer :55 games, 55 goals In 2008 :18 goals 28 behinds
¹ Statistics to end of 2007 season
Career highlights
AFL Rising Star nominee 2005 Copeland Trophy 2007

Travis Cloke born March 5, 1987) is an Australian rules footballer who plays 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. He had already been hyped up by the general public and media as the best of the trio after a successful start to the career for Jason. Travis was drafted as a key-position player at 195 cm, capable as a back-up ruckman.

In 2005, injury setbacks to key big men Josh Fraser, 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.

2006 would see Travis 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.

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 would play consistent but not eye catching footy early on, before having a terrific 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 would kick a goal in fourteen consecutive games, and his close to All-Australian form would progress in the second half of the season. He would have 20 disposals, 10 marks and kick 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 would award 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 would play 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.

[edit] Family relations

Travis is the son of Collingwood and Richmond footballer David, who played VFL 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.