Travis Cloke: From AFL Star to Life Beyond Football

Most people who follow Australian Rules Football (AFL) will instantly recognise the name Travis Cloke. Cloke was a fearsome key forward for the Collingwood Football Club and is remembered for his remarkable marking ability.

Cloke had over a decade’s worth of experience on the field, and during this time, he earned the most accolades, not just as a sportsman but also for his strong family connections to the sport and his life after playing. In this article, we will go over Travis Cloke’s life journey.

Early Life and Family 

Travis Cloke was born on March 5, 1987, in Victoria, Australia. Growing up in a family that lived and breathed AFL came as an advantage due to the immense love and support for football from his family.

His father, David Cloke, was a well-known VFL/AFL player who represented the teams Richmond and Collingwood. Following in the footsteps of his father, his brothers Cameron and Jason went on to become professional footballers.

Travis was recruited to Collingwood in 2004, utilising the Father-Son Rule, which gives clubs preferential recruiting rights to sons of former players. Even before he played a senior game, Travis had been earmarked as a potential star due to his size, athleticism, and footballing pedigree.

AFL Debut and Early Career

Travis Cloke debuted in the AFL in 2005 with Collingwood. His stature of 195cm and weight of approximately 105 kg made him a dominant figure in the forward line, and at 6’5“, he was a towering presence.

Travis is well known for being a solid player with great marking abilities and was one of the many players with a strong left-foot kick.

While Cloke also often found himself questioned on goal-scoring accuracy, his sheer efforts and his physique made up for most of it.

During his early years, Cloke showed signs of brilliance and steadily became a staple piece for the Magpies.

He won his first Copeland Trophy in 2007 at just 21 years old, the youngest player to win it, showcasing remarkable consistency and surpassing maturity for his age.

Career Peak and Premiership Glory

Between 2010 and 2013, Travis Cloke reached the pinnacle of his AFL career. During this time, he was widely acknowledged as one of the fiercest key forwards in the league.

Because of his great performance in 2011, he made it into the well-respected All-Australian team, which reinforced his already long-standing reputation as one of the best in the business.

Among other career highlights, in 2010 Cloke’s performance single-handedly ensured that Collingwood’s AFL Premiership Win came to fruition. This enabled them to defeat St. Kilda, who are seasoned competitors in the Grand Finals.

Collingwood was heavily reliant on Cloke for their forward structure, and it soon paid off for both sides in 2013 when Cloke scored a career-defining 68 goals, placing him authentically at the top of the leaderboard.

Challenges and Decline

While Cloke enjoyed significant highs, his career was not without challenges. Goal-kicking accuracy remained a recurring issue throughout his time in the AFL. Criticism from the media and fans often centred around his inconsistency in front of the goal.

As his career progressed, the latter stages were impacted due to injury and form issues. By 2016, he was no longer a certainty in Collingwood’s starting lineup and managed to play only a few games that year.

At the end of 2016, Travis decided to part ways with Collingwood and signed with the Western Bulldogs as a delisted free agent. His time at the Bulldogs was not very long. Apart from playing only 10 games in 2017, he also struggled with external injuries and internal issues.

Mental Health and Retirement

In 2017, Travis Cloke became a voice of courage when he shared his journey dealing with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. His willingness to share such intimate details with the public was commendable since it highlighted the less visible mental health battles even elite athletes face.

Cloke made the announcement to retire from the AFL at the age of 30. While some fans felt there was still more to offer, his decision to step away was what was best for his mental health and well-being and for the sake of his family.

His candour sparked wider conversations around how professional sportsmen are expected to perform at peak levels and the lack of mental health support provided within sports.

Life After AFL

Since retiring, Travis Cloke has remained involved in football but in a more balanced and low-profile way. He has taken on coaching and mentoring roles, working with younger players at the grassroots and junior levels. His experience and knowledge of the game have proven valuable in developing the next generation of footballers.

Additionally, Cloke has worked as a media commentator, appearing occasionally on television and radio to provide AFL insights and analysis.

Outside of football, Travis Cloke has also pursued business interests and is known to be passionate about health and fitness.

Personal Life

Cloke has been married to Rebecca Panozza, formerly a dancer and a Pilates instructor. The two are known to be quite private; hence, their family life is kept under wraps. They gave birth to their first child in 2018, a girl named Scarlett.

He seems to actively share snippets of his new life as a husband and a father with dazzling vacations and family getaways over social media, and one can see him enjoying parenting.

Social Media Presence

While Travis Cloke does not post as frequently as some athletes, his social media platforms provide a window into his post-football life:

• Instagram: @travcloke – Travis often shares photos of his workouts, family moments, and occasional football memories.
• Twitter/X: He is less active on Twitter/X, but his past posts and interactions reflect his insights on the game and support for mental health awareness.

Travis Cloke’s Net Worth

As of recent estimates, Travis Cloke’s net worth is believed to be between $1.5 million and $3 million AUD.

Most of Cloke’s wealth stemmed from his long and successful AFL career during the peak Collingwood years when he was one of the most highly compensated players at the club.

Aside from his AFL salary, Cloke earned considerable income from endorsement deals and media appearances. Ever since retirement, his coaching and public speaking, combined with part-time media work, have continued to yield income.

Conclusion

Travis Cloke’s journey through the AFL is one filled with great moments, not-so-great moments, and incredible life lessons. Empowering promising teenagers, premiership hero, family man, and mentor, Cloke’s story inspires many.

Throughout his career, he served to remind us that even the most electrifying athletes are human and fight wars off the scoreboard.

Thanks to his honesty, Travis Cloke has gained the trust of countless people and remains regarded as a respectable figure not only in the AFL but also in the broader discussion around wellness and life after sport.