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TRAVIS Cloke needs to make himself less one-dimensional to ensure he gives himself the best chance to rejuvenate his career at the Western Bulldogs. 

The veteran forward was traded to the Dogs after playing 246 games in 12 seasons at Collingwood for pick No.76 in this year's NAB AFL Draft.  

It is not often you see a dual All Australian and Copeland Trophy winner traded for, essentially, peanuts – although Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis are the other obvious outliers.

But that is the position Cloke finds himself in as he joins the reigning premiers and it is up to him to prove his career can be salvaged. 

The Bulldogs identified Cloke could be of value, even before Tom Boyd's breakout Grand Final performance, knowing that they needed a stable and experienced option up forward. 

The Bulldogs were ranked 13th in the AFL for marks inside 50 in 2016, averaging just 11.6 per game.

That was despite ranking sixth in the League in inside 50s as well as keeping the ball trapped in their forward half for eight minutes longer, on average, than their opponents. 

The recruitment of Cloke and the return of Stewart Crameri from a year's suspension, should help in that area as Boyd and fellow youngster Zaine Cordy continue their development. 

The lack of a tall target up forward was no more pronounced for the Dogs than in the second quarter of this year's Grand Final as they surged the footy forward only to be thwarted by Swans defenders Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe who peeled off their opponents to intercept. 

For all his shortcomings, Cloke knows where to position himself so that he can at least create a contest and bring the ball to ground. 

When the spearhead played his best footy in 2011 and 2013, he was widely regarded as one of the best contested marks in the game, when isolated against his opponent deep inside 50.

Cloke was second in the AFL for marks inside 50 (88) in 2011 and first (99 – 26 more than second-placed Jarryd Roughead) in 2013. 

He also led the League in contested marks in both of those seasons, kicking 69 goals in 2011 and 68 in 2013. 

During those seasons, Cloke was largely deployed close to goal but he still made an impact when pushing up the field, where he was able to utilise his above-average endurance to advantage; as evidenced by the 104 marks he took around the ground in 2011 and the 91 he took in 2013. 

Since 2013, Cloke has seen a dramatic drop off in his output, with his marks, disposals and shots at goal per game all decreasing.

While that balance between taking marks inside 50 and in general play has been far more lopsided over the past three years (59:78 in 2014, 38:74 in 2015 and 27:60 in 2016).

The Dogs will want to see Travis Cloke crashing packs in this manner. Picture: AFL Photos

Unable to hold his position in Collingwood's side, Cloke was dropped three times by coach Nathan Buckley during the 2016 season ultimately leading to his departure and the fresh start that awaits. 

The other major query on Cloke is whether his wayward goalkicking can be improved.

With the Bulldogs set to play plenty of games at their home venue at Etihad, Cloke's 46.8 per cent goal scoring accuracy number will not cut it and it is a part of the game that he needs to work diligently to fix.

There is no doubt Cloke will need to make the most of his opportunities in front of goal, which he will get if the Bulldogs continue to be ranked as one of the AFL's top sides, if he wants to establish himself in the first-choice 22. 

Cloke understands he is no longer a walk-up start in the team and having that to spur him on could have a positive effect as he looks to reinvent himself over the next two seasons at Whitten Oval.

The big forward turns 30 before the 2017 season kicks off. The ball is firmly in his court. 

Cloke's career numbers

Etihad Stadium: 12.2 disposals, 5.8 marks, 1.5 goals, 11.1 Player Ratings points, 46.8 per cent shot at goal accuracy (includes missed shots) 

MCG: 10.9 Player Rating Points, 14.0 Disposals, 7.3 Marks, 1.9 Goals, 45.6 per cent Shot at Goal Accuracy  

*Stats supplied by Champion Data