It’s fair to say Rory Lobb’s trade value didn’t increase after the Western Bulldogs’ Friday night loss to Brisbane.
The 31-year-old has had little impact since returning to the senior side in Aaron Naughton’s injury absence, managing just 17 touches, three marks and one goal across the last fortnight.
Two weeks ago 9News’ and SEN regular Tom Morris reported that Lobb will seek a trade out of Whitten Oval at the end of the year as the forward searches for more senior footy given he’s only managed five games this season in his second year of a long-term contract.
That’d despite Lobb being contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of 2026.
Since Morris’ report, Lobb has been picked by Luke Beveridge’s in the seniors and after seemingly promising the world, Lobb has delivered nothing but an atlas.
SEN’s Gerard Whateley says the Dogs’ decision to not play him has been no one else’s fault but his own and his form highlights that.
“The Rory Lobb conversation really stems from the conduct of his management, who are complaining to anyone that will listen and plenty who don’t want to listen, coincidentally,” Whateley said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
THE CONVERSATION LOBB HAD WITH BEVERIDGE FOLLOWING TRADE REPORT
“(They say) he was sold a dream and the Dogs have reneged on the dream, ignoring that Rory Lobb has played rubbish for them and he hasn’t been good enough to hold his place in this team and when this moment arrived when they desperately needed him and his management are saying ‘it doesn’t matter what happens here, we’re out of here at the end of the year’.
“Rory, fight for your job, mate. Compete!
“They desperately needed him last night as they have needed him when he plays and he hasn’t delivered for them.
“It’s on him, not Luke Beveridge.”
Lobb is manager by Corporate Sports Australia’s Colin Young.
Speaking after Friday’s loss, Beveridge threw his support around his forward insisting Lobb will hold his spot next weekend against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
“HE HAS TO LOOK AT HIMSELF”: CORNES QUESTIONS LOBB IN WAKE OF LATEST TRADE BOMBSHELL
Sam Darcy will miss a second game with suspension, with Naughton still some weeks away.
“Well, he’s our second ruck, too, and we need to share that load,” Beveridge said post-game of Lobb.
“It’s too much of a challenge for one person and we come up against (Luke) Jackson and (Sean) Darcy this week … so it’s not going to get any easier.
“So we’re going to need a bona fide second ruck and Rory is that man who will play that role, so absolutely (we will persist with him).”