Cloke on shaky ground

TRAVIS Cloke could be the victim of a selection squeeze against St Kilda as the Western Bulldogs’ forward line approaches full strength.

First ruckman Jordan Roughead has recovered from a hamstring tendon injury after two VFL games, with Jake Stringer available after a medial ligament strain.

Stringer will try to prove his fitness at training tonight, with Roughead ready to form a ruck tandem with Tom Boyd that would see one of them resting forward. That means one of Cloke or Jack Redpath would make way, with Redpath kicking five goals in the past fortnight since his return.

Champion Data figures show Cloke’s output is the lowest of his career — even compared with last season when Collingwood dropped him three times.

He has taken only four contested marks in five games and has kicked six goals.

Coach Luke Beveridge described a 50m penalty he gave away to start the Dogs tailspin against Geelong as “disturbing” and “horrendous”. But on Saturday he indicated Cloke might retain his spot.

He limped off late in the clash with North Melbourne but returned against the Cats to give away that 50m penalty for abuse at a critical stage.

Beveridge said after Friday night’s contest he had spoken to Cloke about the need to remain disciplined.

“It’s deflating. I addressed it with him. To be nine points up at three-quarter time and to see that momentum shift on the back of one or two errors was disturbing,’’ he said.