Rory Lobb

Out-of-favour Dog set to seek move: AFL Trade news

Rory Lobb has reportedly made a call regarding his future.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Out-of-favour Western Bulldog forward Rory Lobb is reportedly keen to join his fourth club at the end of the year.

Lobb has been a journeyman of the AFL, initially beginning his career at GWS in 2014 when he was drafted with Pick 29.

Despite becoming a regular under Leon Cameron, the 31-year-old wanted to return to his home state of Western Australia, seeking a trade to Fremantle at the end of 2018.

Adding 66 games in the purple anchor, Lobb wasn't satisfied with the club and a move to Melbourne was on the agenda, with the Bulldogs snapping him up ahead of the 2023 season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Rory Lobb and his Dockers teammates look dejected after losing the round nine AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Now, according to Channel 9's Tom Morris, the 207cm utility wants to find a new team.

"It's only May, but (Lobb) will request a trade at the end of the season to a fourth AFL club, preferably in Victoria," Morris said on the Footy Furnace.

"The Western Bulldogs know that he has two years remaining on his contract. They also know they won't trade him for anything less than they perceive him to be worth."

At the kennel, Lobb has fallen behind the likes of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, which coach Luke Beveridge believes is the future.

After playing 20 games in 2023, the former Giant has failed to make the same splash this year, featuring in only three matches when either Ugle-Hagan, Naughton or Darcy have been unavailable.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Tim English of the Bulldogs celebrates kicking a goal with teammate Aaron Naughton during the round four AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 09, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

SEN's Michelangelo Rucci said that Collingwood is leading the race for Lobb, given their lack of tails up forward and in the ruck.

Rucci said two weeks ago: "If I was to fast-forward to the end of this year, Rory Lobb would be at Collingwood.

"I'm hearing Rory Lobb is going to Collingwood… or rather Collingwood is going to make an approach to his management."

With reports coming thick and fast of his movement, Beveridge still believes that Lobb is a required player, alluding to the fact he has many years left to play at the elite level.

"He's (a) significantly required and needed player at our club and I hope that half-dozen years he's got left in him are with us," Beveridge said.

"I see him as having another half-a-dozen years in the game and I think he's got a really long period in his career ahead of him.

"And that's important to remind him of, too - he just needs to persevere through this part (of not playing senior football consistently)."

Published by
Aidan Cellini