A Return to the Football Field
It has been over five years since Travis Cloke last played in the Australian Football League (AFL), with his last appearance coming in 2017. However, the former Collingwood star recently made a remarkable return to the field, showcasing his talent and passion for the game by kicking an impressive 18 goals for his local team on a recent Saturday.
Cloke’s day began early as he took on the role of coach for the Coates Talent League side, Oakleigh Chargers. He led his team against the Sydney Swans Academy at the Kennedy Community Centre, which serves as Hawthorn’s home base, located in Dingley. Despite the Chargers suffering a 40-point loss, Cloke didn’t have much time to dwell on the defeat.
After the match, he embarked on a journey that took him 68 minutes by car, or 54 minutes if he opted to pay the toll, to reach Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve. There, he prepared for his third game of the season in the Outer East League’s Division One football competition.
Cloke arrived at the ground just 10 minutes before the first ‘throw up’ at 2:20 pm. The Yarra Glen team, affectionately known as the River Pigs, had come off their first loss of the season in the previous round. During that match, they managed to score only 30 points, with Cloke, wearing the number 99 guernsey, contributing one goal.
However, on this particular Saturday, Cloke and the River Pigs demonstrated a significant improvement in their offensive strategy. They faced off against the Powelltown club and delivered a strong performance, ultimately defeating their opponents. Cloke was at the forefront of this success, managing to kick an impressive 18 goals during the match. This brought his season tally to a total of 24 goals, highlighting his continued ability to perform at a high level.
Key Highlights from the Match
- Early Morning Coaching Session: Cloke started his day by coaching the Oakleigh Chargers, leading them against the Sydney Swans Academy.
- Long Journey to the Ground: After the coaching session, he traveled a considerable distance to reach Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve for his next match.
- Strong Performance in the Second Match: Cloke’s efforts in the second match were exceptional, with a notable contribution to the team’s victory.
- Improvement in Offensive Strategy: The River Pigs showed marked improvement in their attacking play, leading to a successful outcome against Powelltown.
- Personal Achievement: Cloke’s 18-goal performance not only highlighted his individual skill but also significantly boosted the team’s overall score.
