Travis Cloke feels sorry for young players who have to face torrent of social media abuse

TRAVIS Cloke has opened up on his mental health battle and says he feels desperately sorry for the young players who have to face a torrent of social media abuse.

Travis Cloke after announcing his retirement.

FORMER Collingwood and Western Bulldogs forward Travis Cloke has opened up on his mental health battle and says he feels desperately sorry for the young players who have to face a torrent of social media abuse.

Cloke, 31, was one of the league’s most dominant power forwards throughout the prime of his career but was under intense scrutiny in his final years at Collingwood and one season at the Western Bulldogs.

The often-maligned spearhead said he was in a much better headspace now and was keen to explore a future in development coaching, after accepting roles with Vic Metro under-18s and Yarra Valley Grammar.

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Reflecting on his rollercoaster career, Cloke revealed the harrowing moment he broke down in the Western Bulldogs’ changerooms last year, admitting the public spotlight had finally taken its toll.

“It was strange kind of moment, I was sitting in the changerooms one day, I had finished weights trained in the morning and I was sitting there and I just broke down,” Cloke said on the Don’t Argue podcast.

“I called my manager and called my dad and said ‘I don’t know if footy is for me anymore’. They said ‘what do you mean?’

Travis Cloke at Western Bulldogs training.

Travis Cloke in action for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think it was the toll of however many years, because for how long I was feeling like that I had no idea.

“But to explain it to close mates, teammates, family and the footy club, it’s an unusual conversation to have.

“Do I know exactly what was wrong? No. Am I perfect now? No. I probably never will be, but at the same time I’m in a place which is good.

“I’m pretty clear with where I want to go and what I want to do and life is a lot simpler now that’s for sure.

“I feel for the young kids coming through now with all of the social media. You can pick up a phone and create an account with no accountability, that’s my issue.”

Cloke also admitted his surprise at the move to leave out Western Bulldogs tough nut Mitch Wallis from the senior side this season and a decision to trade Jake Stringer from the kennel last trade period.

“It’s a shame they had to move on players like Jake Stringer because he was the heart and soul of the footy club, and he was so close to all of those boys,” he said.

“‘String’ has cut some corners here and there, but he’s not the first footballer to do it and he shouldn’t have been the scapegoat to chuck him out.

Jake Stringer in action for Essendon.

“I wish him all of the best, obviously he’s going through a little bit (marriage separation) as well, which has been well documented over the last couple of months.

“He will fit well into the Essendon program, he’s a jet of a footballer, so if he can apply himself to what he needs not what others need him to (he will perform) because he is probably not able to put 100 per cent into footy, that’s not him.

“I’ve seen some of the best footballers apply only 50 per cent and get the best out of themselves and still be a superstar.”

A two-time All-Australian and four-time Collingwood leading goalkicker, Cloke booted 452 goals over 256 games at the two clubs.

He averaged the most contested marks in the league between 2010-13 but said he struggled with aspects of the new game plan at Collingwood when Nathan Buckley took over from Michael Malthouse.

Cloke said he still supported the Magpies and was hopeful Buckley could guide the club up the ladder after a winless start over the first two rounds.

“I feel for them, every day, and the way they’re going because they are a better side than what they are showing at the moment,” he said.

“When they get those four or five players back (from injury) it will change, but it’s a hard thing to see because there is that one guy at the top, Nathan Buckley who is the one who cops all the criticism.

“He has got a heart of gold. I hope they can turn it around, because they probably could have won at the weekend if GWS didn’t have a couple of their superstars turn it on for them.”