Essendon Football Club is proud to announce former Collingwood Premiership star Travis Cloke as its VFLW senior coach for the 2023 season.
The 35-year-old will also join the Bombers’ AFL men’s program as a specialist coach.
Cloke played 256 games across Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, retiring in 2017 with a Premiership, two All Australian selections, a Copeland Trophy and four Collingwood leading goal kicker awards.
Since retiring, Cloke has switched to coaching, starting as a VFL/next generation academy development coach at the Pies before taking on the head coach position at NAB League side Eastern Ranges.
Over the past two years, Cloke has led the under-17 and under-19 female and male Eastern Ranges programs.
Head of VFLW Georgia Harvey said the club was excited to welcome Cloke to the Bombers’ family.
“We are thrilled to have Travis on board as our VFLW senior coach,” Harvey said.
“He brings a wealth of experience as a player and as a coach, leading both female and male programs at the Eastern Ranges in the NAB League, demonstrating his ability to bring the best out of his players.
“We look forward to welcoming Travis into the club and working towards our 2023 VFLW season.”
After five seasons and most recently a VFLW Premiership, Brendan Major has made the decision to step away from the VFLW program for 2023 and beyond.
The Bombers would also like to thank Brendan Major for his contribution to the club over the past five years, taking the team from an inaugural side in 2018 to undefeated Premiers in 2022.
General Manager of Football Josh Mahoney thanked Major for his contribution to the club.
“Brendan’s impact at the club has been immense. From building a program from scratch and recording only one win in our first season to five years later being undefeated Premiers is an incredible achievement,” Mahoney said.
“We thank Brendan for his dedication, contribution and involvement in the Essendon Football Club and we wish him all the best with his future endeavors.”
