Travis Cloke

AFL reaches outcome after Essendon runner’s bizarre act

The AFL has acted after an incident involving a Bombers runner on Saturday.

Published by
Josh De Sa

The AFL has repeatedly sent out a reminder to all 18 clubs in the competition after an incident involving Essendon runner Travis Cloke on the weekend.

Cloke, a former Bulldog and Magpie, is currently a runner for the Bombers AFL side and works in the coaching department for club's the AFLW team.

The reminder itself referenced the duties of a runner and how they are not to repeat what Cloke did against Sydney. The 37-year-old found himself amidst a scuffle that broke out between his side and the Swans. Cloke became directly involved, running onto the field and pulling Essendon players out of the action.

Despite the possibility of Cloke being offered a 'please explain' or a sanction, there will be no action taken against the former premiership Pie, according to AFL.com.au.

Cloke did not touch any Sydney player on the field, only grabbing Essendon players Will Setterfield, Jake Stringer, Nick Hind and Nik Cox.

AFL regulations restrict runners from making any interactions with either umpires or opposition players.

In 2018, Chad Cornes was suspended for one match for swearing at North Melbourne's Todd Goldstein whilst acting as a runner for Port Adelaide.

In 2014, Cats runner Nigel Lappin made contact with Carlton's Mitch Robinson. Geelong was hit with a fine of $2000. Three years earlier, the Bulldogs were fined $5000 - $2500 suspended - after runner Rohan Smith spent too much time on the field.

As part of the letter to the clubs this week in the wake of an incident involving a pitch invader, the AFL also mentioned that players should not become involved with fans who trespass onto the field of play.

Speaking on AFL Media's Footy Feed, GM of Football Operations Josh Mahony weighed in on the incident, saying: "We will be speaking to clubs about the role of the runners.

"We did extend (the time) the runner can spend on the ground this year, but their role is simply to get on, deliver a message and get off.

"Probably similar to the intruder situation, nothing Travis did inflamed anything but it's a reminder that the runner's (job) is to get on, do the message.

"Touching players and opposition players is definitely a no-go.

"His (Cloke's) intent was to drag away Essendon players away from the melee, which a positive that's the intention but that's not a role for a runner."

Published by
Josh De Sa