Click here to watch Travis Cloke's Friday press conference - on CTV
Holding down centre half-forward is tough for anyone, let alone a 20-year-old playing just his third season in a finals side.
But after feeling the effects of a long, demanding campaign in recent weeks, having been so good for most of the season, Travis Cloke feels energised and ready to hit the finals series head on.
The 195-centimetre Cloke is second on the club’s goal kicking list with 32, and a refreshing, if brief stint away form the club a fortnight ago has the emerging star feeling “fresh” going into Saturday night’s elimination final against the Swans at the MCG.
“The form the past couple of weeks hasn’t been the greatest, but I had a couple of days off a couple of weeks ago", Cloke told the media after the club’s final training session for the week at the MCG on Friday morning.
“The body’s really feeling good now, feeling fresh, so looking for a big September.”
The club decided to give Cloke, along with a couple of other young players who had been playing senior football, a few days away from the club prior to the Sydney game in round 21, and he’s feeling the benefits now.
“I just got away from the club, just freshened up, spent a bit of time with the family and friends.
“I think (head of conditioning) Dave Buttifant and the rest of the medical staff have really helped me that way, and I think I’m feeling pretty fresh now for the upcoming weeks.”
Cloke also said Friday's hit out at the MCG was promising, and that certain key players are primed after missing large chunks of the season.
“We moved pretty well today out on the track, very error free today. I think with Bucks missing a lot of the year, he’s fresh and ready to go.
“Jimmy (Clement) missed eight to nine weeks too so he’s raring to go, and a lot of young spirits and young bodies in the team, and that just lifts the enthusiasm so much.
“The likes of Shane Wakelin and Tarkyn Lockyer, just their talk and wisdom around the group gives that extra bit of inspiration to do really well tomorrow night.”
After missing last year’s elimination final against the Bulldogs with a shoulder injury, Cloke has sought advice on how to handle his first September campaign from many different people.
“I’ve actually spoken a fair bit to my dad. Dad played in a fair few finals and grand finals, so he’s got a bit of wisdom to pass on.
“I’ve also spoken to numerous players around the club. I spoke to Bucks and what it meant to him in the ’02 and ‘03 seasons, and also to Brian Taylor, who I work pretty closely with.
“There are a few other different premiership players who I’ve just had a bit of a chat to.”
