North Central: Former Collingwood star Travis Cloke to play for for Nullawil again

Collingwood premiership goalkicker Travis Cloke is playing country footy again this weekend as hopes rise he will qualify for finals.

Collingwood premiership player Travis Cloke will play his second successive match for Nullawil on Saturday against Wycheproof-Narraport as the two clubs do battle for the first time since agreeing to merge in 2025.

In his first match since 2019, 37-year-old Cloke made a solid debut for Nullawil in its 28-point win over Wedderburn last week.

Cloke booted 2.4 and handed off another three goals in the victory over the team that played a draw with ladder leader Birchip-Watchem the previous round.

His availability for the second week in a row has been made possible with Essendon having a bye in the AFL.

Essendon assistant coach Travis Cloke works with Bombers young gun Nate Caddy at training. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Cloke is in his first season as a Bombers’ assistant coach and works with Nullawil player Ben Brennan at the AFL club.

Brennan joined Nullawil from Sunbury last year and was part of its charge to the grand final in its debut season in the North Central league.

Cloke has to play four matches to qualify for finals with Nullawil breaking into the top-four last round.

He is only a one-point player given the length of time since he previously played.

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Nullawil is hopeful former Collingwood player Travis Cloke will commit to the club for more matches after coming out of retirement to play against Wedderburn in the North Central league on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Essendon coaching staff member could line-up for Nullawil for the second week in a row against its 2025 merger partner Wycheproof-Narraport this weekend with the Bombers having a bye in the AFL.

Nullawil coach Darryl Wilson said the club’s ideal scenario would be for Cloke to play the four matches needed to qualify for finals.

“He really enjoyed it,” Wilson said.

“He’s working out what he can and can’t do.

“He won’t play anywhere else and we’ve got our fingers crossed he will play more games with us.

“It was something done on the fly.”

Essendon assistant coach Travis Cloke, left, played his first match for Nullawil on Saturday. Pic: Michael Klein

Cloke’s situation at Nullawil contrasted with a surge in the number of former AFL players making one-off appearances for country clubs on the King’s Birthday weekend.

Cloke, who booted 2.4 from his 18 touches and 11 marks, played as a one-pointer due to his long absence from the game.

But another Essendon coaching staff member Michael Hurley played as a six-point player for Swan Hill.

Hurley, who has played five matches in the Northern league in Melbourne this season, booted seven goals in a best-on-ground performance against Tyntynder, that had the services of Cloke’s former Collingwood teammate, Dane Swan.

Another former Collingwood player, Heath Shaw, played as four-pointer for Corowa-Rutherglen in its 26-point loss to Lavington.

Corowa-Rutherglen played on its highest points total of the season with 51 of an allowable 60 as part of the concessions it was granted in its return from a season spent in recess.

Neville Jetta, who also played for Corowa-Rutherglen this year, played as a five-pointer for Castlemaine in its 41-point loss to Gisborne after trailing by only a point at halftime.

Ovens & Murray club Albury released former Carlton goal sneak Jeff Garlett to play his third “one-off” match for another club.

After playing twice for Melton South, Garlett was named in the best players for Portland that lost to reigning premier South Warrnambool by 71 points.

Nullawil coach Darryl Wilson. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Meanwhile, Nullawil has broken into the North Central league top four for the first time this season with its 28-point win over Wedderburn, which forced a draw with ladder leaders Birchip-Watchem last round.

Nullawil is missing captain Jordan Humphreys with a serious foot injury and also had ruckman Dean Putt, key defender Peter Faulks and forward Jack Exell out of the team.

Star recruit Matt Wade has returned from a hamstring injury.