Western Bulldogs tall Rory Lobb has dropped the biggest hint yet on his future at the Kennel months after it was reported he would be seeking a trade.
Lobb played seven VFL games and just three AFL matches before Round 12 of this season, finding himself toward the back of the selection queue given the Dogs' riches of tall forward options as youngster Sam Darcy took the next step in his career to support Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton.
Lobb struggled in the mid-year absence of Naughton, who was sidelined with a knee injury, and was moved to the backline in Round 16 as coach Luke Beveridge's rearguard was also depleted due to setbacks.
The former GWS and Fremantle ruck-forward put forward a promising performance alongside Liam Jones against the Roos in his first game down back, with Lobb not looking in the rear-view mirror since as he holds his place in Beveridge's side as the Dogs prepare for a September return this week against Hawthorn.
A shutdown role on ex-teammate and Geelong star Jeremy Cameron headlines Lobb's successful transition to defence, which came after he reportedly informed the club of his desire to depart for better opportunities elsewhere in May.
Over three months on, Lobb says he sees his future with the Bulldogs.
"I'm loving my time at the Dogs, we've got a great environment," Lobb told media. "I feel like I've found my spot down back. I can't see myself leaving.
"There's always going to be speculation when you're playing VFL, and I feel like I've got plenty of AFL football left in me. There was always going to be frustration.
"When you are playing in the VFL you're frustrated and want to get back into the side. I wasn't playing the football I wanted to play. [Your future] is always going to cross your mind, but as soon as I got back into the ones I haven't really thought about it.
"Like I've said over my career, I'm happy to do what's best for the team. I'm really enjoying my time down back.
"I see myself playing for a lot longer and hopefully it's at the Dogs."
Lobb has now played 12 straight games for the Western Bulldogs, nine of which have come in defence. Beveridge has won seven of those nine matches to secure a finals spot this year, with a meeting with Hawthorn on Friday the club's biggest task of 2024.
A win over a surging Hawks side would see the Dogs keep their season alive and face either Port Adelaide or Geelong in a semi-final, meaning a potential rematch with Cameron could come in the second week of the finals series.
The Dogs and Hawks will battle in front of approximately 90,000 fans at the MCG in an elimination final on Friday night at 7:40pm (AEST).