Fremantle has been accused of “fake toughness” after trying to target former teammate Rory Lobb in a move that backfired in Friday night’s 49-point loss.
The Dockers defence went after Lobb from the outset, opting to rough him up before the first bounce, and then again throughout the match.
At one point, five Fremantle players were so engaged in a scuffle with Lobb that they missed a Jamarra Ugle-Hagan miskick that landed 25m out, and resulted in a goal to Bulldog Adam Treloar in the third term.
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While Lobb ended up on the Optus Stadium turf multiple times and was widely booed every time he touched the footy, the former Fremantle forward had the last laugh as he helped his side to a 17.16 (118) to 10.9 (69) win.
Coach Luke Beveridge said he was proud of the way his players “flew the flag” for Lobb in his first trip back to WA since his controversial exit from the club.
“Early, it’s interesting isn’t it? Former teammates and maybe it was to get us off-side? We expected it,” he said of the pre-bounce physicality.
“Our guys were disciplined and flew the flag, as you would.
“It’s a cauldron out there and when you’re the centre of the physical focus; it’s not always easy so I thought (Lobb) handled that really well and played the game out accordingly.”
Lobb’s teammate Aaron Naughton, who jumped in multiple times to defend the Bulldogs recruit, said he had no hesitation to step in.
“We knew at that first bounce that they were going to go after him, a bit of fake toughness from them,” he said.
“But it was all in good stead.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir denied his players were too distracted by Lobb in the loss that leaves them 2-4.
“No I don’t think that was the difference in the game at all,” he said.
“(Asked directly: Was the message to target Lobb?) Nah, no.
“I think they were really isolated incidents, even before the siren.
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“I don’t think we took it over the top.
“I’d be giving our players a massive out if I walked in there and told them that was the issue.
“It was much more widespread than us having too much focus on Lobby.”
While Lobb finished with 1.3, Fox Footy’s Jordan Lewis said he felt the former Docker “contributed beautifully”.
“He had a bit of an indifferent night,” the four-time premiership Hawk said.
“He had an influence on the game. If he had have finished of his work he could’ve had a big impact. He just provided an option down forward, he went into the ruck to give (Tim) English a spell.
“I think he would’ve gone over there, finished the game and said that was good to get it out of the road, deal with the nerves and still participate in the win.
“He wasn’t a passenger tonight. I thought he contributed beautifully.”
Lobb admitted it was “hard” to be part of an away team travelling to Optus Stadium.
“They probably got me with a couple of set shots there, put a bit of pressure on myself to kick them,” he admitted to 7AFL.
“It’s probably the most nerves I’ve had in a game in a while other than a final.”
Beveridge was pleased with his side from the outset, after a tough 10 days on the road.
“The boys were amazing right from the start,” he said.
“If you ask the players about playing here, they’ll tell you they really enjoy it. They love the oval. They probably enjoy the fanatical and parochial audience.
“I think he (Lobb) was looking forward to it.
“Playing for Fremantle and GWS, both clubs have got a place in his heart, they always will.
“We were fortunate enough that (Lobb) chose us.
“I’ve got no doubt, and if you ask him, he enjoyed his time at the Dockers.
“He didn’t kick too straight tonight himself, but I thought he had a real impact.
“I thought he handled the night really well.”
