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Important SN update for Southland“Will be a star”: Dons development coach Cloke excited by Caddy
Connor Scanlon • June 25th, 2025 5:17 pm
Former Collingwood premiership player and now Essendon development coach Travis Cloke couldn’t hide his excitement when asked about rising Bomber Nate Caddy.
Cloke heaped praise on the 19-year-old key forward, calling him a standout both on and off the field.
The exciting forward has kicked 15 goals from 14 games in 2025, wowing fans around the competition with his x-factor and obvious star qualities.
“He’s an exceptional person and an amazing footballer,” Cloke told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“He is 19 years of age, he is not 20 until the end of this year, it’s his second year of footy.
“He is an amazing kid to work with, we’ve seen the talent (and) the attributes over the last 18 months to two years.
“He will be a star.”
However, Cloke urged fans to keep perspective on Caddy’s development, stressing patience over short-term expectations.
“Like every person in footy we put a lot of expectations on these young kids to win games,” Cloke admitted.
“He’s been able to do it some games, not so other games.
“But I’m really looking forward to seeing his development over a five-to-seven year period of linear growth.”
In fact, Cloke revealed that working with Caddy has reignited his passion for AFL.
“He’s the reason why I came back to footy – to work with elite key positional players, that’s why I wanted to come back to work in footy,” revealed Cloke.
“Gee, he’s a star.
“I sit on the bench with a big smile on my face every time he goes for the ball.
“Because I don’t know what he’s doing, and he just does things amazingly, and kicks these goals.”
The former Pie believes Caddy is one of several emerging players Essendon can build a premiership future around.
“So, I look forward to seeing the future of the Essendon footy club, led by Nate Caddy, Isaac Kako, Archie Roberts, Zak Johnson,” said Cloke.
“And then more importantly our captain Zach Merrett – gee, I’ve never met someone in football as good as him, or ever as driven as him to succeed.
“I think the red and black army, as people like to say, are in good stead going forward.”
Travis Cloke also weighed in on speculation around Sam Draper’s future.
“I love big Sammy Draper, whatever he chooses to do,” Cloke said.
“I remember talking to Brodie Grundy when he was at Collingwood, and had to make this big decision about what he does.
“The reality is at this time in their career, where do you want to raise your family? That’s the big question.
“For Sam (Draper) and his partner, that’s what they need to make that decision (about). The money’s gonna be good no matter where he goes.
“We would love to have him at Essendon, I love working with him, he’s a great guy.
“But they’re decisions you gotta make now as a footballer, like where do you wanna raise your kids? Where do you wanna raise your family?
“He’s from interstate so it’s a bigger decision.”
With Travis Cloke extremely bullish on Essendon’s future, let’s see if they can finally end their finals victory draught in the next few years.
