North Central: Travis Cloke picked to play first match for Calder United
A Collingwood premiership player will line-up for the first time this season for Calder United. See other big selection moves across state.
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North Central premiership contender Calder United has picked former Collingwood goalkicker Travis Cloke for his first match this season on Saturday against Boort.
The Magpies’ 2010 premiership star played four matches for Nullawil last year, but has been unable to play for the merged club due to his off-field role at Essendon and his one-off appearance for Heathmere in the Carlton Draft Series in late June.
The 38-year-old was free of Essendon commitments after the Bombers VFL team played on Friday.
But it’s highly unlikely he will play the four matches for Calder United to qualify for finals given there are only five home and away matches remaining.
Calder United and Boort are in a battle for the double chance with both teams having 8-3 win-loss records after Calder United recently lost to flag favourites Birchip-Watchem.
“We will get this game out of the road and see what happens,” Calder United coach Darryl Wilson said.
“After our performance recently against Birchip we need to lift.
“An opportunity presented for him to play and one of our other big talls has to work.
“It’s a big game we need to win.
“We want to pencil in the double chance so it’s really important.”
Cloke was a one-point player at Nullawil last year due to not playing in the previous three years.
He played as a three-pointer for Heathmere when he booted five goals for the South West District club.
Calder United has also welcomed back star onballer Matt Wade, ruckman Dean Putt and Mitch Farmer after extended lay-offs.
Reigning premiers Sea Lake-Nandaly, which is one win behind Calder United and Boort in fourth spot, has been bolstered by the return of key players including Brodie Adcock, John Summerhayes, Kane Donnan, Billy Poulton and star forward Josh Jenkins.
Mid-season recruit Andrew Collins will also debut for Sea Lake-Nandaly.
In the Gippsland league, Moe made seven changes for the top-of-the-ladder clash against Leongatha.
Inclusions include former coach Declan Keilty who hasn’t played for a month due to an ankle injury and star recruit Myles Poholke who hasn’t played since the round 11 loss to Traralgon.
Leongatha regains Cade Maskell after a month on the sidelines, but is still missing champion midfielder Tom Marriott, who is expected to return from an ankle injury on the eve of finals.
Moe beat Leongatha by 47 points when they met in round 4.
Hampden league premiers South Warrnambool has been bolstered by the return of four key players including Carlton VFL-listed player Archie Stevens, Dan Nicholson, Trent Williamson and Patrick Anderson for its crucial match against Warrnambool.
The Blues beat ladder leaders North Warrnambool by a point last Saturday.
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Originally published as North Central: Travis Cloke picked to play first match for Calder United
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