The AFL has issued a reminder to all 18 clubs following an incident involving Essendon runner Travis Cloke. Cloke, a former player for the Bulldogs and Magpies, is currently a runner for Essendon’s AFL team and works with the club’s AFLW team.
The reminder emphasizes the duties of a runner and warns against actions like Cloke’s during a scuffle between Essendon and Sydney. Despite the incident, Cloke will not face any action from the AFL, as he did not touch any Sydney players, only intervening with Essendon players.
AFL regulations prohibit runners from interacting with umpires or opposition players. In past incidents, Chad Cornes was suspended for one match in 2018 for swearing at Todd Goldstein while acting as a runner for Port Adelaide, and Nigel Lappin made contact with Mitch Robinson in 2014, resulting in a fine of $2000 for Geelong. Additionally, the Bulldogs were fined $5000 (with $2500 suspended) in 2011 after runner Rohan Smith spent too much time on the field. The AFL also reminded clubs that players should not engage with fans who trespass onto the field, as part of a recent letter addressing a pitch invader incident.
