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Jason Cloke

Jason Cloke (born 6 May 1982) is a former Australian rules footballer who played as a defender for the in the (AFL), appearing in 76 senior games between 2002 and 2006. The eldest son of AFL premiership player and his wife Julie, Jason debuted for Collingwood in round 2 of the 2002 season at age 19 and contributed to the team's finals campaigns in 2002 (though suspended for the ) and 2003, including playing in the 2003 . Cloke's family has deep ties to the sport, with his father playing 333 VFL/ games for and Collingwood, winning premierships in 1973 and 1980 with the Tigers before joining the in 1983. His brothers, and Cameron, also donned the black-and-white for Collingwood, with becoming a key forward who played 256 games and won the 2010 premiership. earned the as Collingwood's best first-year player in 2002 and the reserves award in 2005, but his tenure ended after being delisted at the end of 2006. After leaving the AFL, Cloke continued playing at lower levels, including for Spotswood in the Western Region Football League, and participated in Collingwood's Legends matches as recently as 2014. In August 2024, while competing in an AFL Masters Queensland over-35s game for Broadbeach against Burleigh Bombers, Cloke was hospitalized after being coward-punched from behind, prompting an investigation by Queensland Police and a 26-game suspension for the perpetrator from the league. The incident drew calls from his father David for greater AFL intervention to protect retired players in amateur competitions, and led to Cloke retiring from football in 2025.

Early life

Upbringing

Jason Cloke was born on 6 May 1982. During his playing prime, Cloke stood at a height of 189 (6 2 in) and weighed 90 (198 ), attributes that contributed to his physical presence as a . Cloke grew up in a football-oriented household in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, where he was influenced from a young age by his father David Cloke's legacy as a prominent () player for and Collingwood. This environment fostered an early affinity for the sport within the family. His general early development included exposure to through local community activities and school engagements in the eastern suburbs, laying the groundwork for his subsequent involvement in organized junior programs.

Junior football career

Jason Cloke began his organized junior career with the Park Orchards Football Club in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, competing in the Eastern Football League's junior divisions. There, he developed his skills as a versatile player capable of contributing as both a and forward, honing his physical presence and competitive edge in local matches. Cloke progressed to the TAC Cup under-18 competition, representing the , a key pathway club for talent in Victoria's eastern region. His performances in this elite junior league showcased his athleticism and game sense, earning him recognition within the broader eastern suburbs community as a promising prospect. These junior achievements, combined with his family football heritage as the son of former Collingwood premiership player , positioned him for father-son draft eligibility with the . His consistent development through these ranks ultimately qualified him for selection in the 2000 AFL National Draft under the , marking the culmination of his youth career trajectory.

AFL career

Draft selection and debut

Jason Cloke was selected by Collingwood with the 19th pick in the 2000 Draft under the father-son rule, making him eligible due to his father's prior tenure with the club. Following his draft, Cloke spent the 2001 season developing in Collingwood's reserves side at Williamstown in the (VFL), where he honed his skills before earning promotion to the senior list. Cloke made his AFL debut on 6 April 2002, at the age of 19, in round 2 against the at the (MCG), lining up as a defender in Collingwood's backline. In his initial AFL appearances, Cloke was primarily positioned as a back-pocket player, focusing on defensive duties and rebounding from the rear guard.

Time at Collingwood

Jason Cloke played 76 () games for the between 2002 and 2006, scoring 10 goals during that period. In his debut season of 2002, Cloke earned a nomination for the award and won the Harry Collier Trophy as Collingwood's best first-year player, after impressing with his courage and contested marking across 23 games. However, his promising year was overshadowed by a two-match suspension for striking, which ruled him out of Collingwood's 2002 . The following season, Cloke featured in the 2003 , starting at centre half-forward in Collingwood's 50-point loss to , contributing to the team's key defensive efforts after shifting positions during the match. Cloke primarily operated as a , often as a loose player across half-back, where he utilized his physical presence to support Collingwood's backline in crucial contests. Over time, his role evolved to include occasional stints at centre half-forward and as a relief ruckman, adapting to team needs amid inconsistent senior selections in later years. Despite these contributions, Cloke's opportunities dwindled, leading to his delisting by Collingwood at the conclusion of the 2006 season after just seven games that year. He was subsequently nominated for the but went undrafted following a training stint with Essendon.

VFL career

Bendigo Bombers

Following his delisting by Collingwood at the end of the , Jason Cloke signed with the Bombers, Essendon's VFL affiliate, for the 2007 season. As a former AFL defender with over 70 games of experience, Cloke was expected to provide and versatility to the Bombers' lineup, primarily bolstering the backline while coach planned to trial him on the wing or in forward roles to maximize his impact. Cloke played 16 games for in 2007, missing the opening two rounds due to a before becoming a key contributor in the reserves-level competition. He finished as runner-up in the club's award with 65 votes, just three behind winner , after leading the count midway through the season. His consistent performances earned him selection at centre half-back in the VFL Team of the Year and a representative honor, where he played for the VFL in a victory over . In matches, Cloke demonstrated his defensive prowess and ball-winning ability; for instance, during a round 7 comeback win against Frankston, he recorded 17 kicks, 9 marks, and 8 handballs while helping the team overcome a 23-point deficit. Despite these efforts aimed at regaining selection, Cloke was not re-drafted at the end of the season.

Williamstown Seagulls

Following his time with the Bendigo Bombers in 2007, Jason Cloke signed a two-year contract with the Williamstown Football Club in the (VFL) ahead of the 2008 season. As a versatile defender, Cloke provided solid defensive contributions during his tenure, helping to bolster Williamstown's backline in competitive matches. In 2008, Cloke finished third in Williamstown's count and earned the most consistent player award, while also representing the VFL in an interstate match that year. His performances aided the Seagulls' strong campaign, which saw them secure a finals berth and advance to the preliminary final. The following season, Cloke placed 10th in the with 62 votes, continuing to offer reliable service as Williamstown recorded notable victories, including a 198-point win over .

Return to Bendigo Bombers

At the end of the 2009 season, Cloke rejoined the for the 2010 VFL season. He provided defensive stability and occasional forward support, contributing to several matches, including kicking three goals in one game, before departing VFL football at the end of the year to pursue amateur leagues.

Amateur career

Spotswood and later clubs

Following his delisting from the VFL's Williamstown Seagulls, Jason Cloke transitioned to amateur football in regional leagues, beginning with the Spotswood Football Club in the Western Region Football League (WRFL). He played there from 2011 to 2014, primarily as a , and contributed significantly to the 's success, including a Division 1 premiership win in 2011. During his tenure, Cloke also served as , leading the side in key matches such as interleague games, and was recognized for his and on-field impact, earning selection in the 2012 WRFL of the Year. In 2015, Cloke moved to the Essendon District Football League (EDFL), joining the Craigieburn Football Club alongside his brother Cameron, where he continued in a defensive role. This shift allowed him to play alongside family while focusing on the enjoyment of the game at a community level, drawing on his professional experience to mentor younger players. Cloke signed with another EDFL club, Jacana, for the 2018 season, again playing as a veteran defender, including at centre-half back. His involvement in these amateur leagues emphasized and personal fulfillment through , rather than competitive pressures.

2024 Broadbeach incident

In August 2024, Jason Cloke was playing as co-captain and coach for the Broadbeach Cats in the Masters over-35s competition on the Gold Coast. On 24 August 2024, during a match against the Burleigh Bombers, Cloke was struck in the face with an elbow by an opponent amid a in the second quarter, an incident described as a coward that knocked him unconscious. The game was subsequently abandoned due to the escalating on-field violence. Cloke was rushed to hospital for overnight observation and underwent scans to assess the extent of his injuries. The Burleigh player responsible was handed a 26-match suspension by the AFL Masters Queensland tribunal—20 matches for the elbow to Cloke and six for a separate striking offence—following a four-hour hearing. Queensland Police launched an investigation into the assault following the incident, underscoring broader concerns about violence in amateur and masters-level football. Following the incident, Cloke retired from , having been hospitalized over a dozen times and suffered numerous concussions during his amateur career.

Personal life

Family

Jason Cloke is the eldest son of , an legend who played 333 games across (219 games) and Collingwood (114 games) from 1974 to 1991, and Julie Cloke. He has two younger brothers, both of whom pursued careers: , who played 58 games primarily for Collingwood (21 games) and Carlton (36 games), with one game for , and , a Collingwood icon who featured in 256 games, including 246 for the and 10 for the . The Cloke brothers all joined Collingwood under the father-son rule, emulating their father's path at the club and establishing a prominent family presence in the league. The Cloke family represents a dynasty rooted in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, where David and Julie raised their sons amid a strong heritage that influenced their athletic development and club affiliations. This legacy fostered a competitive family dynamic, with all three brothers donning the black-and-white and contributing to Collingwood's traditions, though each navigated distinct challenges in their professional journeys.

Business ventures

Following his exit from the VFL in 2009 after two seasons with the Williamstown Seagulls, Jason Cloke established a career in , formalizing his business as Jason Cloke Carpenter in November 2011 while based in . The business specializes in residential carpentry services, including renovations, extensions, and property maintenance, which Cloke balanced with his ongoing involvement in local amateur football. In 2018, Cloke relocated his family and business to the in due to his youngest son's health needs, updating the business location to postcode 4217 and registering an additional trading name, Fixit Property Maintenance , in 2019. Prior to the move, he applied his expertise to renovate his Williamstown home at 98 Power Street, enlisting his team to add a modern extension, expanded pool, and putting green; the property sold in 2018 for within the $3.03–$3.2 million guide price. Cloke's work has provided a stable professional foundation post-AFL. In August 2025, Cloke retired from amateur football at age 43 following repeated incidents of targeting and abuse in lower leagues, compounded by health concerns including multiple concussions and potential () symptoms such as memory issues and fatigue. He continues his work as a carpenter on the Gold Coast.

References

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