TRAVIS Cloke's omission from the Western Bulldogs' side to play St Kilda on Saturday was not because of his costly brain fade in last week's loss to Geelong, says coach Luke Beveridge.
With the Bulldogs holding the momentum and a nine-point lead early in the last quarter, Cloke gave away a 50-metre penalty for abusing an umpire after being penalised for pushing Cat Joel Selwood in the back.
The Geelong skipper kicked a goal after Cloke's double indiscretion, starting a five-goal run from the home side that saw Geelong run out 23-point winners.
Cloke and fellow key forward Jack Redpath failed to make a significant impact against the Cats, and were replaced at selection by Jake Stringer, who has recovered from a knee injury, and debutant ruckman Tim English.
Premiership defender Shane Biggs also received a recall after being dropped twice in the opening nine rounds.
Beveridge said Cloke had taken his demotion well after 11 possessions, three marks and a goal against the Cats.
"His omission this week is to make sure he takes care of the things we need him to do as a key forward," Beveridge said on Friday
"We just didn't quite get what we needed from our key forwards, and we were beaten in the air quite significantly by Geelong's defence.
"It's not something there is a lack of clarity around.
"I think he can be (in our best 22), absolutely."
While Cloke will line up for Footscray to find form, draftee English has been rewarded for an impressive start to his career.
With premiership ruckman Jordan Roughead still finding form in the VFL after a serious hamstring injury, the 19-year-old has Beveridge excited because "he's not your stereotypical ruckman."
The 205cm, 100kg West Australian is an elite kick, possesses sound decision-making, is highly agile and has added contested marking to his arsenal.
"One of the things you're looking for from a ruckman or a key position player is the scope to take contested marks, and he's done that in recent times," Beveridge said.
"We're not sure what to expect from him tomorrow other than he'll be an important part of the 22, but he presents as a challenge for the opposition because of his height and mobility at ground level.
"He definitely goes about his work at ground level like a midfielder."
Beveridge disputed his side's up and down form was due to 'blockbuster fatigue', with the premier's fixture seeing them involved in big games on a regular basis so far this season.
The Dogs have already played in five Friday night fixtures, and were also involved in the inaugural Good Friday encounter against North Melbourne.
"They're all big games now, but I think, quite simply, we haven't been at our best and the opposition have been playing well," he said.
"We’ve got to shift the tide and tables in our favour, and it starts with things in our control, play well and put the Saints on the back foot.
"That's the plan."
