Fremantle forward Rory Lobb remains determined to land at the Western Bulldogs, despite being left disappointed by the Dockers declaring they “wouldn’t be able to facilitate a trade” for him.
The Dockers will be one of the most active clubs in the trade period this off-season. They’re the favourite to land outgoing Demon Luke Jackson and have interest Suns duo Jeremy Sharp and Josh Corbett, but they’re also set to lose up to a handful of players to rival clubs.
Dockers football boss Peter Bell said his club would work with both Carlton and North Melbourne to strike suitable trades for off-contract players Blake Acres and Griffin Logue respectively. Freo also indicated contracted wingman Darcy Tucker and his management would explore the possibility of a trade with the full support of the club.
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Bell also confirmed Lobb this week had indicated he was seeking a trade — a request the club, at this stage, wasn’t prepared to allow.
“We had a conversation with Rory where we informed him that due to his contracted status and also the importance he has for our structure that we wouldn’t be able to facilitate a trade for Rory,” Bell said.
Despite being the subject of ample trade speculation throughout the year, Lobb was crucial to Fremantle’s stunning 2022 surge up the ladder, booting a club-high 36 goals from 21 games in a career-best season.
Rival clubs for months had suggested Lobb, who tried to be dealt back to the Giants in last year’s trade period, wouldn’t be playing for the Dockers next season.
The West Australian reported on Thursday night Lobb was “upset” by the stance the Dockers had taken this week.
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Lobb’s manager Colin Young said the Dockers 12 months ago indicated they could trade him at the end of the 2022 season.
“Rory and I absolutely understand that Fremantle can hold him to the last year of his contract, totally understandable,” Lobb’s manager Colin Young told The West Australian.
“Fremantle are entitled to do whatever is in the best in the interest of the club, as they should do. However if trading Rory to the Western Bulldogs secures Luke Jackson, then it could be a win for everyone.
“When the trade period ended last year the conversation that took place between Rory and the club suggested that they could look at trading Rory this season, so I’m not sure what has happened. I hope we can all work together to get the best result for all parties, just as we will look to do with Griffin Logue.”
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said he could understand why the Dockers were playing hardball with Lobb.
“They‘re into Luke Jackson up to their eyeballs, so the prospect of getting Luke Jackson over and having a year of Luke Jackson with Rory Lobb, plus you played finals this year … If you’ve got contracted players, given the exodus that has been touted at Fremantle, well then you’re holding on to who you can,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 Plus.
Triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt added: “In the first quarter against Collingwood on the weekend, he was probably one of the only players that showed a little bit in terms of being able to damage and play alright in the first quarter.
“Six-foot-six blokes that can mark the ball and kick the ball well, they do not grow on trees. So if you can get him and arguably they‘re going for Jackson as well, they could be a really important duo for Fremantle.”
