Lobb's career in limbo as new club leads trade race

It feels like he just arrived at Whitten Oval, but forward/ruckman Rory Lobb could be on the move again to a fourth club in 2025.

The big man landed at the Western Bulldogs at the start of 2023, after stints with GWS and Fremantle, but has fallen out of favour with under-fire coach Luke Beveridge, who axed him after round one, only to be brought back into the side for round six and seven.

He was axed again ahead of their eight-point loss to Hawthorn in round eight.

Now, the ruckman has been linked to a multitude of clubs who could be in need of his services in 2025.

St Kilda, Melbourne and North Melbourne could be on the hunt for the 31-year-old, but it’s one powerhouse club that are moving quicker than the rest.

Lobb has played most of the year in the VFL.

Enter the 2023 premiers, Collingwood.

“If I was to fast-forward to the end of this year, Rory Lobb would be at Collingwood,” SEN’s Michelangelo Rucci said on SEN Radio.

“I’m hearing Rory Lobb is going to Collingwood… or rather Collingwood is going to make an approach to his management.”

The Magpies are on the lookout for a capable ruckman who can aid up forward, with Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox not as damaging in their roles in 2024.

Lobb has been stuck in the VFL for the majority of the 2024 season, with Beveridge deciding against utilising the 207cm key.

Instead, it’s Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy who are getting selected up forward, with Beveridge also overlooking him in the ruck due to the presence of Tim English.

At the start of the season, Beveridge defended his choice to leave Lobb out of their side.

Will Lobb be in the black and white next year?

“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.

Beveridge was even confident enough to predict that the remainder of Lobb’s career would be seen out in the red, white and blue.

“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).”

Lobb is still contracted with the Dogs until 2026, meaning a trade agreement would need to be reached with the Pies, if an offer is tabled at the end of the year.

The Bulldogs are 3-5 after eight rounds, looking to get back to their winning ways against Richmond on Saturday night.