Cameron Cloke signs at Northern Football League club Hurstbridge

CAMERON Cloke is returning to the Northern Football League after putting pen to paper with Hurstbridge.

Cameron Cloke celebrates a goal for Jacana in the grand final earlier this month. Picture: Mark Dadswell

CAMERON Cloke is returning to the Northern Football League after putting pen to paper with Hurstbridge.

The Bridges attempted to sign Cloke, 32, on the eve of the 2017 season after the former AFL player lodged a clearance to Ben Frilay Oval from Jacana.

However, Cloke served his 2017 contract at the Essendon District league club, booting 127 goals to spearhead the Jags’ charge to the Division 2 premiership.

Hurstbridge coach Trevor Little said Cloke, who signed with the Bridges on Wednesday, wanted to play alongside good mate Brayden Shaw.

Little was assistant coach at Bundoora for two years while Cloke was at the club.

“With the relationships we’ve had, we were certainly going to pursue him and he was keen to come across and put that foot back in the water in Division 1,” Little said.

“We’re pretty confident and I think he’s going to be a really good fit for us and support some of those young fellas that we’ve got.

“We’re very fortunate and he still thinks he has a lot to offer in Division 1 footy.”

Cameron Cloke won two premierships at Bundoora.

Cloke played in Bundoora’s 2011 and 2013 premierships before spending the past two seasons at Craigieburn and Jacana.

He has booted 465 goals since his AFL career finished in 2010 after 58 games at Collingwood, Carlton and Port Adelaide.

“He’ll bring some poise there, he is a big body, he is an experienced player and it will give our kids confidence,” Little said.

“They (will) walk that bit taller when he is out on the field and as I say, he will work with the rest of the forward line we’ve had this year.

Cameron Cloke booted 92 goals for Craigieburn in 2016.

“I’m not putting expectations on him, he sets his expectations high anyway, we’re just fortunate and I just think it is a great thing for the club and the people that support the club as well.”

Little said the Bridges has re-signed “90 per cent” of their list, with fringe player Mitch Thompson moving to Laurimar for more senior opportunities.

Former St Mary’s mentor Con Borg has also joined Hurstbridge as an assistant coach.