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Travis Cloke taking a break from footy to deal with mental health issues

Daniel Cherny
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The Western Bulldogs have revealed that veteran Travis Cloke is taking an indefinite break from football as he battles mental health issues.

As Cloke takes time away, the Dogs have also lost premiership forward Tom Boyd to calf tightness for Saturday night's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Cloke, 30, has played six senior games this year, kicking six goals, having been traded to the Bulldogs in October 2016 after 246 games over 12 seasons at Collingwood.

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The key forward last played in the round 12 loss to Sydney, missing Sunday's loss to Melbourne at Etihad.

An announcement about Cloke's situation was made on the Bulldogs website on Thursday night. "Western Bulldogs forward Travis Cloke will take an indefinite break from playing as he manages mental health issues," the club said.

"Travis is very appreciative of how the club and his team mates have supported him and he will continue to take part in the training program as he manages the issue.  A potential return to play date is undetermined at this stage. The media is asked to respect Travis's privacy at this time."

Despite two heavy losses in a row, the reigning premiers have resisted wholesale change for the match. Boyd joins Lin Jong (knee) in coming out of the side that lost to Melbourne on Sunday, with ruckman Tom Campbell and key forward Jack Redpath returning. It's understood Boyd could have played had the Dogs had an eight-day break rather than a six-day gap.

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Captain Bob Murphy remains sidelined as he works his way back from a hamstring injury suffered before the recent mid-season bye, while former skipper Matthew Boyd is poised to spend a second straight weekend on the outer, not even named as one of the Dogs' three emergencies. The Dogs (6-6) have lost four of their past five games to fall out of the top eight, with their chances of back-to-back premierships appearing increasingly slim.

The struggling Roos (4-8) have recalled former captain Andrew Swallow to bolster their midfield. The experienced Jamie Macmillan also returns, while big man Majak Daw has been selected for what is just his second senior game this year. The Roos have dropped Jed Anderson and Lachlan Hansen, while small forward Kayne Turner is unavailable, sidelined for up to six weeks with a knee injury.

Collingwood have dropped Josh Smith and Matt Scharenberg for Saturday's game against Port Adelaide at the MCG to make room for the returning Tyson Goldsack and Ben Reid. Goldsack is back after missing the Queen's Birthday loss to the Demons with a shoulder injury, while Reid is set to play his first game since hurting his quad in the round eight game against Greater Western Sydney. The Power have recalled Jasper Pittard to replace Jared Polec, who misses with a hamstring issue.

St Kilda key forward Paddy McCartin looks to be in contention for Saturday's game against Gold Coast at Etihad having been named on the Saints' extended bench. McCartin missed last weekend's win over North Melbourne through injury, but has been added alongside Shane Savage and Jack Steele to an extended Saints' squad. St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has cast doubt over whether McCartin can play in the same team as fellow tall forwards Nick Riewoldt, Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey. The Suns have already made four changes to the team that lost to Carlton last Saturday night. 

Elsewhere Carlton have lost Tom Williamson (back) for Sunday's match against Richmond at the MCG while Fremantle have named Hayden Ballantyne for what would be his first game of the season, against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Sunday.