(Image: Getty)

Dennis Cometti has criticised the Western Bulldogs’ recruitment of Travis Cloke, saying the Dogs were “stuck with him” after securing the forward before going on to win the flag.

The 30-year-old has struggled with injury and form, playing six games and kicking six goals this year.

Cloke was left out of the Dogs’ side this weekend with soreness.

Cometti, on Triple M’s pre-game coverage of West Coast/Geelong, didn’t seem to buy it too much.

“Soreness!” he exclaimed.

“How come you drop Matthew Boyd and the world knows about it, and you can cover for Cloke?”

Dennis said the Dogs went too early in their interest for Cloke, suggesting the fact they won the flag means they didn’t really need him in the first place.

"I think it really harmed the club, I think damaged the fabric,” he said.

“They got into it too soon before the grand final - probably they surprised themselves with what they did in the finals, and as a result I think they were stuck with him.”

Dennis said Cloke is playing like he finds it “awkward” being there.

“He reminds me of a guy that just doesn’t want to be out there and playing,” he said.

"I think that he feels awkward about it, too, and I’m not sure what they can do now, because they’re a fair way in (to the deal) now, aren’t they?"