Despite becoming a Bulldog officially only yesterday, Travis Cloke rode every bump of the 2016 Grand Final, and was pumping his fist as the siren sounded, swept up in the emotion of his soon to be new teammates' unlikely flag triumph.

The Cloke-to-the-Kennel story had by that time already become news but it was at that moment that it all became real for the former Collingwood forward.

“I [was] just sitting there with a big grin on my face," he told BulldogsTV on Thursday.

“Sitting there going, geez what decision, what a move this could be to come join this Club.

“They played fantastic footy, up against it for the back half of the year, [but] the way that they gelled together as a group, as a football club, it’s why we love AFL football.”          

The deal itself went right down to the wire, the Dogs securing the 29-year-old for pick 76 of the upcoming NAB AFL Draft in the final hours of the trade period.

Now, after 246 games that produced two All-Australian jumpers, a best and fairest and a premiership medal, Cloke said he’s looking to reinvent himself under the tutelage of Luke Beveridge.

“The [reason] I want to be a part of it is obviously the culture of this football club, from the outside it looks fantastic, everyone seems to be working towards Bevo, he’s obviously a fantastic fella to be in charge," Cloke said.

“I was lucky enough to work with him for a few years when he was with Collingwood but I guess the way the playing group gels and works together is pretty important to him.”

“It’s probably one of the main factors.”

As for his on-field role next season, he sees himself working closely with Grand Final hero Tom Boyd.

“I’d love to be a part of the forward half and sitting back seeing how Boydy played in that Grand Final was fantastic, for me to work with him and develop both our games together is obviously what I’m here for.

“I want to work closely with him and the rest of the forwards.”

Even in the latter stages of his career Cloke arrives at the Kennel with a desire to improve his game and add to the team where he can.

“So I’m coming here to learn a few things and also to develop under the boys at the Western Bulldogs," he said.

“Obviously there’s strengths of mine and weaknesses.

“I guess coming here [I want to] narrow that down, obviously my endurance running is normally a pretty good thing but also I’ve tried to put myself in the best physical condition to approach 2017.

“Hopefully just bring that extra one or two per cent to the side and maintain the success that this Club’s got.”