Career: 2007 - 2009
Debut: Round 1, 2007 vs Richmond, aged 22 year, 102 days
Carlton Player No. 1,099
Games: 36
Goals: 25
Last game: Elimination Final, 2009 vs Brisbane, aged 24 years, 259 days
Guernsey No. 28
Height: 196cm
Weight: 100kg
DOB: 20 December, 1984
Cameron Cloke was originally picked up by Collingwood using a Father-Son selection in the 2002 National Draft. The selection didn't surprise anyone, with Cloke not only a Vic Metro representative in 2002 but also a key player in the winning Eastern Ranges TAC Premiership. He was originally recruited from Park Orchards.
Over the next 4 years, Cloke played 21 games as a forward / ruckman commencing in 2004, but only 2 in 2006, owing somewhat to a series of shoulder injuries. Cloke was delisted but picked up by Carlton in the 2006 / 07 Pre-Season Draft to augment our emerging ruck stocks.
Cloke would debut in the opening round of 2007, playing an important ruck role in our win over Richmond. Indeed, Cloke would surprise at the start of the season with some deft taps in the ruck, sometimes against far larger opponents, and a nice quarter up forward in Round 5 when he kicked 3 goals in a hurry. Unfortunately, Cloke's debut Blue season ended in the same way as some of his years at Collingwood, with shoulder surgery required after a training mishap in the week after Round 6 ending his year.
Cloke would be welcomed back in 2008, playing well in the 2008 Pre-Season; famously remonstrating against Campbell Brown who allegedly charged (but clearly hurt) a young Matthew Kruezer in a horrible marking incident in the NAB Cup Quarter Final. What followed was a career saving and perhaps defining season; 20 matches; good stats, and a few games of multiple goals that demonstrated Cloke's efforts, hardness and desire. Amongst this was a magnificent game up forward against the Lions in Round 21 where Cloke kicked 4 and also earned his first ever Brownlow Vote.
The forward efforts in particular were enough to see the 2009 Coaching panel seek to use him as almost a permanent forward - an experiment we will watch with keen interest.
In Round 3, 2009, Cloke finally managed his 50th AFL match across Collingwood and Carlton; a feat celebrated not just by the Cloke family but by Carlton fans in recognition of the big man's efforts at the Blues. He was in and out of the team through the year, but was brought back for the big Elimination Final against Brisbane who he had had some success against in the past. Some big marks, and 2 goals, were definitely a good outcome.
After 36 games at Carlton to 2009, Cloke was delisted by Carlton but drafted by Port Adelaide at pick 41 as a mature-aged rookie in the 2009 rookie draft. This has given Cloke a life-line to continue his career at his third AFL club. Cloke would add only one more game to his career tally before he was delisted by Port Adelaide.
Cameron's father David played 333 games for Richmond and Collingwood whilst his uncle Peter played 28 games for Richmond.
Local Football post AFL Career
2011 - 14; Bundoora FC (Northern Football League; Division 1), 2013 League Best & Fairest2015 - 16; Craigieburn FC (Essendon District FL Division 1), 2016 premiership
2017 - Jacana FC (Essendon District FL)
2018 - Hurstbridge FC (Northern Football League; Division 1)
2022 - Templestowe (Eastern Football League).