Western Bulldogs utility Rory Lobb appears to be on the market for a fourth AFL club, as limited opportunity in 2024 has rendered him frustrated.
Despite holding the third-tall mantle in the forward line in Round 1 against Melbourne alongside Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Lobb has since fallen behind youngster Sam Darcy.
However, in the absence of Ugle-Hagan, the former Giant featured in Rounds 7 and 8 before being sent back to the VFL.
When joining the Dogs, Lobb signed a four-year deal that will end at the cessation of the 2026 season.
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Despite being locked in at the Kennel, Channel 9's Tom Morris reported that the 31-year-old is all but set to request a trade, "preferably in Victoria".
"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."
And whilst Naughton will be sidelined for at least a month with a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injury and likely to be replaced by Lobb, Morris believes that doesn't change anything.
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Key-position forwards are always presenting as in-demand commodities, but could Lobb be on the move to a fourth AFL club? Here are five sides that could use his services.
Amid the injury crisis at the AIA Centre, if the Pies could snap up Lobb right now, they would.
Dan McStay will be lucky to feature in 2024 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on the eve of the season while Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek have sustained injuries recently.
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Depth player Nathan Kreuger has only just returned from the sidelines while young ruck Aiden Begg will sit out the remainder of the year.
Jeremy Howe has had troubles with his body while Reef McInnes has been in and out of the side.
And in response to that, the Pies link to the Bulldog has been reportedly strong.
SEN's Michelangelo Rucci said that Collingwood is leading the race for Lobb, given their lack of tall options in the front half.
Rucci said three 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."
Melbourne poses as an obvious option given their indecision surrounding their key forwards and how they present.
Swingman Harrison Petty has struggled in the front half to make an impact while Jacob Van Rooyen is still finding his feet.
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Veteran Ben Brown is superfluous to requirements although remains a good depth option while Tom McDonald has found himself permanently in the backline.
With Max Gawn rucking solo, an acquisition like Lobb will provide an extra tall presence up forward as well as a chop out for the champion ruckman.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin historically has leaned toward a taller forward line and the intrigue in Petty's future (given Adelaide are likely to come after him again) could see the club turn their attention to the Bulldog tall.
Similar to Melbourne, St Kilda needs to find help for Rowan Marshall in the ruck and Max King up forward.
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Mitch Owens battles willfully as Marshall's replacement but gives away too much height and size while Tim Membrey and Anthony Caminiti have been in and out of the side.
Lobb will provide a perfect foil for Marshall so he doesn't have to play extreme minutes in the ruck whilst also taking away some of the attention from King, who is struggling against the elite key defenders thus far.
They are always in the mix, aren't they?
Known for their repurposing of experienced players, there's no doubt Geelong will consider a play for Lobb.
With club legend Tom Hawkins looking likely to hang up the boots either this year or next, the forward line does look bare.
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Although Shannon Neale is coming through the ranks, Lobb would slot straight into the forward line alongside former teammate Jeremy Cameron.
Lobb's willingness to play in the ruck as well could also solve Chris Scott's problems, whose trialled Rhys Stanley and Toby Conway at separate times, as well as using utility Mark Blicavs through the role in a bid to find the perfect mix.
According to Morris, Lobb is frustrated that the Western Bulldogs aren't living up to the sales pitch they used in luring him over to the Kennel.
The Bulldogs were reportedly adamant that the 31-year-old would be playing senior football more often than not.
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At North Melbourne, you'd have to think he'd be a lock to play week-in, week-out.
The Kangaroos are struggling for quality talls across all lines, whilst the battered Tristan Xerri needs support in the ruck.
Nick Larkey constantly gets tag-teamed given the lack of options while defender-turned-forward Toby Pink was trialled in the front half unsuccessfully.