A RE-ENERGISED Travis Cloke and a sharp-looking Bob Murphy look set to make the premiership-winning Western Bulldogs an even more dangerous proposition in season 2017.

The duo's encouraging performances would have pleased coach Luke Beveridge, despite his side's six-point loss to Melbourne in the club's JLT Community Series clash at Whitten Oval on Saturday evening.

Jesse Hogan spearheaded Melbourne to its 0.14.8 (92) to 2.9.14 (86) victory, booting four goals to prove he is going to be a force to be reckoned with again in just his fourth season at AFL level.

Returning from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament last April, crowd-favourite and Bulldogs skipper Murphy moved freely and with zest as he provided plenty of rebound from defensive 50.

Former Magpie Cloke made an encouraging start to his career at his new club, booting a goal in the first three minutes of the game before launching a long-range supergoal in the second term.

Cloke, 29, who was traded after 246 games in 12 seasons at Collingwood, has trimmed down significantly and appears ready to prove he still has plenty of football left in his AFL career. 

At the other end of the ground, the form of Hogan – only coming into his prime at 22 – was encouraging as the Demons set their sights on finals under new coach Simon Goodwin.

Marquee recruit Jordan Lewis racked up a game-high 25 disposals, co-captain Jack Viney (22 touches and eight clearances) led from the front and Christian Salem – who has been slated to play more midfield time this season after overcoming a number of injury problems – made the Demons a more balanced unit on the outside of the contest.

WHAT WE LEARNED
Western Bulldogs: Not that we needed confirmation, but the Bulldogs are going to again be one of the teams to beat in season 2017. In fact, they might be better placed. Adding experienced forwards Travis Cloke and the returning Stewart Crameri gives the Dogs two dependable targets to kick the football to up forward. Bob Murphy's run from the back half is another fillip for Dogs fans eager for more premiership success. Let's not forget premiership players Marcus Bontempelli, Dale Morris, Matthew Boyd, Liam Picken, Easton Wood and Clay Smith all didn't play.

Melbourne: Jesse Hogan may be the focal point up forward for the Demons, but second-year youngster Sam Weideman went a long way to claiming the second tall-forward spot. Weideman, who added two majors, now tips the scales at 94kg and is much better placed, body-wise, to be a consistent force up forward in 2017. Weideman possesses an outstanding leap and will complement Hogan and Jack Watts perfectly in the years to come.

NEW FACES
Western Bulldogs: Former Pie Travis Cloke made a positive start in his first game for his new club, marking strongly and finishing confidently for his first goal within the first three minutes of the contest. He backed it up with a long-range supergoal in the second term to be one of the most dangerous forwards on the ground. Cloke looks trim and re-energised. Rookie Brad Lynch has been compared to skipper Bob Murphy in regard to his sharp kicking skills (on both feet) and he showed them off when he booted a tidy goal in the second term. Half-back Declan Hamilton had seven touches from just 33 per cent game-time after coming on in the second half.

Melbourne:
Marquee recruit Jordan Lewis collected a game-high 28 disposals as well as the match-saving spoil in the dying stages of the game. Lewis' on-field direction and experience in key moments will be crucial for the young Demons. Playing his first match for Melbourne, Jake Melksham – sporting a slick hairdo – spent time in the middle and down back and had 13 touches. Rookie Joel Smith – the son of former Melbourne high-flyer Shaun – fitted in nicely down back. Simon Goodwin has described Smith as one of the most exciting athletes he has coached.

NEXT UP
Melbourne will trek down the Monash Freeway to face Carlton at its other home base down at Casey Fields next Sautrday afternoon. The Bulldogs have a decent break before they do battle with the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on March 2.

WESTERN BULLDOGS      0.2.0      1.6.3       1.8.4         2.9.14 (86)
MELBOURNE                    0.4.2       0.8.3      0.12.5       0.14.8 (92)           

SUPERGOALS
Western Bulldogs: Cloke, Johannisen
Melbourne: Nil 

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Dahlhaus 2, Hunter 2, Cloke, Dale, Lynch, Daniel, McLean
Melbourne: Hogan 4, Weideman 2, Petracca, Gawn, Viney, Bugg, Jones, Neal-Bullen, Brayshaw, Garlett, 

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Dahlhaus, Hunter, Liberatore, McLean, Cloke, Murphy
Melbourne: Hogan, Viney, Lewis, O. McDonald, Salem, Jones, Gawn 

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Roughead (right knee)
Melbourne: Wagner (right ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Williamson, Dalgleish, Rosebury, Margetts

Official crowd: 7,581 at Whitten Oval

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