Jacana has found a key forward to replace outgoing star Cameron Cloke – his older brother and former AFL player Jason Cloke.
The Jaguars announced last week that Jason had signed with the club as it looks to have a tilt at the Essendon District Football League division 1 premiership.
Jaguars coach Robert Fletcher said signing Jason was a huge plus for the club. Jason will be a key in the forward line which will be without Cameron, who has signed with Hurstbridge.
Jason kicked 118 goals playing for Parkside in the Western Region Football League this season.
Fletcher previously coached Jason Cloke when he was an assistant coach at Craigieburn.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with him and we still spoke this year,” Fletcher said.
“We were confident of getting it over the line, but kept it close to our chest. We knew a few other clubs were wanting him … we pulled on the friendship strings and Cam talked up the club as well.
“To lose Cam, who kicked 127 goals, is a massive loss and sometimes you can never replace them.
“Jason probably won’t replace all those goals, but will still be a focal point up there with Kimo [Bryce Kimuliatis].”
Jason Cloke’s brother in-law Justin Dorward also joins the Jaguars, having played in Parkside’s division 3 premiership this year.
Dorward, a hard onballer, is more than a good player in his own right, named in several teams of the year across different competitions.
Also signing for the Jaguars are Josh Young and Nathan Carroll.
Fletcher had high praise for Young, another player he saw first-hand at Craigieburn.
“He’s the best footballer in this division,” Fletcher said. “He had a few injuries this year, but he’s training already and ready to go.
“Nathan is a big ruck, centre half-forward who will help Billy Morrison out.”
Fletcher said all up they would likely have 10 inclusions, with other signings to be announced soon.
The Jaguars have lost four of this year’s division 2 premiership side – Lane Turner, Paul and Justin Cluney and Cameron Cloke – are going to other clubs.
Overall, Fletcher said they would lose possibly six or seven players from across the senior and reserves sides.
“It’s a credit to the whole club not to lose too many blokes.”
Fletcher said despite going up a division next season, they thought they had the group to have a real crack.
In a big plus for the club, it is focused on fielding an under-19 side next year for the first time in a number of years.
Chris Davies has been appointed coach and former AFL player Chris Johnson is also helping out. Currently they have about 13 players for that side and were looking for under-19 players to join the club.
