Travis Cloke becomes one of four new life members at Collingwood

Retired forward Travis Cloke has been welcomed back into the Magpie fold, named one of four new Collingwood life members, along with 2010 premiership teammate Brent Macaffer.

Pies’ premiership hero Travis Cloke has been made a life member of the club.

Retired forward Travis Cloke has been welcomed back into the Magpie fold, named one of four new Collingwood life members.

Cloke, 2010 premiership teammate Brent Macaffer, former director Paul Leeds and long-time head physiotherapist, Dave Francis, were given the honour at the club’s Annual General Meeting at The Glasshouse last night.

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Pies’ premiership hero Travis Cloke has been made a life member of the club.

“Footy was a journey for me, I was born into it. I never really realised what football meant to me until I retired,” Cloke said.

“This club has been everything to me. I did work experience here as a 14-year-old with Neil Balme.

“Thank you very much to this football club. I enjoy the journey that this club is on through the AFL, AFLW and Netball programs.

“Congratulations to the football club for where it is today and where it’s going. I can’t thank Eddie enough, this honour will sit alongside my Copeland Trophy and premiership medallion.”

Travis Cloke is a @CollingwoodFC life member.

Watch some of his career best highlights. pic.twitter.com/LXXAUHsYnQ

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) February 13, 2019

Pies president Eddie McGuire heaped praised on the former star full forward.

“Outstanding endurance, courage and strength. Trav was a man mountain,” president Eddie McGuire said.

“He kicked over 400 goals, won a Copeland trophy, a premiership, a couple of All-Australian jumpers and was a fantastic teammate.

“For a long time he was the best contested-marking player in the game. By any measure, his career was magnificent.

“I’m thrilled for him and his family who, of course, have such a strong connection to our club.”

Cloke left Collingwood at the end of 2016 and played 10 games with the Western Bulldogs the following year before retiring.

Travis Cloke, centre, holding the 2010 Premiership Cup, with father David and brother Cameron, has a long family link to the Pies.

A crowd of 400 at The Glasshouse heard confirmation of Peter Murphy’s return to the club as a director and the unopposed re-election of directors Christine Holgate and Alex Waislitz.

Murphy, chairman of the Collingwood Foundation and interim chief executive in 2017, had casually filled the vacancy around the board table created by the retirement of Leeds at the end of the 2018 season.

He has now been elected for a full three-year term.

Family is everything 🥰 pic.twitter.com/1WZzsx1Psl

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) February 13, 2019

Macaffer shared in the glory of grand final day 2010 after being promoted from the rookie list the previous season. He played 73 matches across nine seasons, two of which were lost to serious knee injuries.

Macaffer switched his jumper number to three at the end of the 2012 season as a tribute to his late friend and teammate, John McCarthy, who died during the 2012 off-season.

Brent Macaffer played in the 2010 Grand Final and was made a life member alongside Cloke.

In 2016, his last season, Macaffer won the Darren Millane award for best clubman. He continues to play a role with the club as a member of Collingwood’s athlete welfare and engagement team.

“Thanks to the board for honouring me with this award, It was a big shock and a surprise,” Macaffer said.

“I really appreciate this. Well done to Trav, it’s an honour to share this with you tonight.

“To my family that has supported me along the way, Tamsyn and the girls, to look back on these memories will be special.

“To be still around the club in a working capacity, it has given me everything.

“I love coming in to work every day.

“Football clubs are one of the best places to be.

“Last year was one of the best years I’ve had in my 13 years.”

From a rookie to premiership player, Brent Macaffer was honoured with @CollingwoodFC life membership tonight.

Watch the highlights from his memorable career. pic.twitter.com/DTI13qRrXl

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) February 13, 2019

Leeds served Collingwood as a director for over a decade, a time in which the club played in four grand finals, won a premiership and completed the construction of its world class Holden Centre training facility.

Francis has been Collingwood’s ‘Football Whisperer’, counsel to two generations of players. Known affectionately as ‘Scruff’, Francis joined the Collingwood medical staff in 1995. He has helped to prepare players for over 500 matches.

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