Cloke a key as Dogs look to cover injury

Former Collingwood forward Travis Cloke could be a key player for the Western Bulldogs as they look to cover the loss of injured ruckman Jordan Roughead.

AFL Hall of Famer Glen Jakovich believes Travis Cloke is uniquely positioned to make the most of his opportunity at the Western Bulldogs.

Cloke's presence at Whitten Oval has taken on added significance in light of Jordan Roughead's injury misfortune.

As coach Luke Beveridge shuffles his tall options in the wake of Roughead's serious hamstring injury, Cloke looms as a key piece of the puzzle.

The Bulldogs announced on Tuesday that Roughead would not resume training for eight weeks as he recovers from hamstring tendon surgery.

The 26-year-old won't be available until round five of the home-and-away season at the absolute earliest by that time frame

Cloke is seeking to revitalise his flagging career after falling out of favour at Collingwood, where he was dropped three times last year by coach Nathan Buckley.

But he joins a club not short on taller options in attack and the ruck.

Tom Boyd, Jake Stringer, Tom Campbell, Stewart Crameri, Jack Redpath and Zaine Cordy are already well-established, while the Dogs drafted ruckman Tim English in the first round.

But Boyd, who enjoyed a breakout game in last year's grand final win against Sydney, figures to spend more time in the ruck in Roughead's absence, which could allow Cloke time to establish himself in the Dogs' attack.

"He's in a unique position ... an exciting position really," Jakovich told AAP.

"I had a good look at him (against Melbourne) on Saturday and he looked like he had a sense of purpose and something to prove.

"After being bashed for his form over the past 12 months, I saw a level of motivation and maturity in a guy really wanting to finish off his career well.

"It's probably timely for him to be at the Bulldogs right now."

The 29-year-old worked strongly up the field against the Demons, kicking two goals and taking eight marks.

But Jakovich says Cloke isn't a walk-up start, with the Bulldogs' unexpected run to the 2016 premiership leading some to question the need for the 246-game veteran.

"They've got a lot of options, he didn't go there as a Mr Fixit or a saviour, he has to prove himself all over again," he said.

"He's a premiership player, a proven player, but he has to work hard if he wants to stay in that side and have an impact."