what happened with the VFL game did it go ahead or was it cancelled can not find any information on it anywhere.
If it went ahead did anyone stay to watch it.
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Thank You very much.
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Good to see that Eckersley starred as a key forward with 4 goals.
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Posting the article as it’s worth it
The next six months will show how tough we really are’: Cloke on promising practice match, next steps for VFL program
Travis Cloke walked away with plenty of optimism from Essendon VFL’s opening practice match against Footscray.
The Development Coach has been heavily involved with the Club’s VFL program over the last couple of seasons, working closely with Michael Hurley in strengthening the connection between both the AFL and VFL lists.
In recent weeks, the wider Club has endured a challenging time, with the passing of highly respected VFL Senior Coach Dale Tapping meaning Cloke, Hurley and other Assistant Coaches have shouldered the load in the build to March’s official season start.
Despite a 20-point defeat in Saturday’■■■■■-out, Cloke felt the promising signs from the group’s play highlighted their mental strength over this period, viewing the season ahead as an opportunity for the group to unite and rally behind the foundations set by Tapping.
“It’s been very testing for the players, staff and everyone involved with the Club,” Cloke said.
“The group has really galvanised over the last few days led by ‘Hurls’ (Hurley) in the build up to games. The next six or seven months will show how tough we really are and how we can implement what Dale stood for.
“He had amazing values and focuses which we want to last for a long time within the program.”
A highlight from the outing was the performance of VFL-listed forward Jared Eckersley, who’s continually looking like more of a threat as a key target with each game he plays in the role.
Leading the Club’s goalkicking last season, a four-goal haul on Saturday showcased Eckersley’s strong pre-season form on the track.
Cloke is hoping the former Gold Coast Academy player can keep it rolling throughout the campaign, regardless of whether it’s on the scoreboard or around the ground.
“He’s an interesting guy, ‘Ecksy’, he comes out with a real swagger,” Cloke said.
"When he kicks a couple of goals, he gets his chest out and about, and as a forward I love to see that. More importantly, it’s about what he brings to the group – he’s a great personality, a strong leader and gives us structure.
“If he’s kicking the goals, we’ll take it, but even when he’s not, he brings that confidence to the rest of the group to walk a bit taller.”
Experienced Dons such as Will Setterfield and Peter Wright provided a boost for the VFL brigade in the first half, who looked to juggle their line-up with a mix of youth and older heads at different stages.
After making promising inroads in the area of connection between the two programs last year, Cloke and Hurley are emphasising its importance once again in 2025, especially as competitions for spots grow in each side.
“We saw great growth from individuals but also as a team, especially given we had limited AFL players out there with the crew,” Cloke said.
“The mix of older boys and young kids both had a real impact when they were called on, so all in all, the day was a big tick.
“It’s always about the connection between the VFL and AFL programs and we try to do that pretty well at Essendon. We saw today when our six or seven AFL-listed guys came on, they really bought into what ‘Hurls’ and I have been selling in recent months.
“We saw Kayle Gerreyn kick a couple of goals late, we saw ‘Pete’ Wright provide a good presence in the first half and Rhys Unwin has been dominant at ground level as well.
“We’re looking forward to seeing that connection feed through into our VFL program.”
The Dons’ VFL squad lines up for another practice match next Tuesday, February 25, in a curtain raiser against Geelong VFL at GMHBA Stadium.
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I must say, I really like Travis Cloke.
He seems to be that guy who ok mightn’t be the sharpest intellectually but is as genuine as they come. Seems like he’d be a great guy to have in your corner.
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I still find it weird that Travis Cloke is within the Essendon coaching unit.
I guess it’s no more odd than Brad Scott as senior coach, but Cloke was a fkn good footballer who beat up on us. Feels different in that sense.
But agree with above - he’s someone who seems completely invested in developing players. Glad he’s here.
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Was Travis the arse kicker?
No, it was Cam that was kicked
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Travis was a crap VFLW coach.
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The assistants that year did a lot of work to fill the gaps with the group.
Urquhart the kicking specialist. Kirby was great. Jacara as well.
I think once fans who don’t follow our other teams hear him speak to the group, they won’t like him that much. Very similar speeches and instructions from week to week and from break to break. Rarely gets annoyed and generally not overly inspiring. But he does get players ‘playing for him’ by the way he handles himself after the siren, during training and at the club.
He’s much better in a one on one or smaller group developmental coach role. Very similar character to Fletch in that he’s critical in his own quirky way but leans more towards encouraging players to improve.
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When’s the fixture out for the vfl
Knowing the VFL, probably 8 weeks from now after we’ve had 6 byes in a row.
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It’s due out soon apparently, expected by the end of the month or thereabouts. The season won’t start until March 22 (Round 2 of AFL).
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There may have been a complexity added by C7 asking for a Saturday night prime time game each week.
Every team will want a more or less even amount of games in that slot.
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how fast will they dump this to 7two with no HD broadcast
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They know there is a wider pool than ex North people to choose from
Right? Not to mention Joyce failed with the GC AFLw program.
Timing for a new VFL coach makes things tricky after the tragic and sad passing of Dale, but another ex north staffer really?
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Joyce played junior football for Glen Iris as well as Oakleigh and although he was invited to train with Hawthorn during their 1998 pre-season, he was not selected by the Hawks.[2]Following high school graduation, Joyce turned his attention to an off-field role when Richmond handed him a video analysis position at the club, and he was promoted to a football administration assistant role the following year. Joyce accepted similar roles with North Melbourne and West Coast in the following years before being given his big break in 2008 when he was appointed the list manager of North Melbourne. Joyce was appointed the General Manager of Football at North Melbourne in 2016 and held that position for three years.[3]
Jobs for the boys
Pretty sure he was a fkn disaster at gorf as well