AFL 2022: Why North Melbourne could help grant Rory Lobb’s wish to leave Fremantle for Western Bulldogs
Rory Lobb is still hellbent on leaving Fremantle for Western Bulldogs but the Dockers aren’t flinching, especially after Griffin Logue’s trade request to North Melbourne.
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North Melbourne could be the key to unlocking two blockbuster deals not involving them as the Kangaroos prepare to be one of the most active clubs in the trade period.
Dockers Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker both want to head to Arden Street, while teammates Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs), Blake Acres (Carlton) and Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn) also requested trades elsewhere.
High-profile player agent Colin Young and his Corporate Sports Australia colleague, ex-Eagle Andrew McDougall, manage Logue, Lobb and Acres, as well as Bobby Hill, Bradley Hill and Liam Henry among others.
Henry will stay at Fremantle, while Young said he would be “surprised” if Hill departed despite new North coach Alastair Clarkson expressing some interest in rekindling their Hawthorn days.
There are rumblings that St Kilda would be open to trading Hill, even though he has two seasons to run on his contract, but there is no substance to that yet.
Young remains hopeful Lobb, who is contracted for 2023, has played his last game for Fremantle, which is standing firm he won’t be traded after refusing to deal him to his old club Greater Western Sydney last year.
The versatile big man would provide seniority in a promising Bulldogs attack that boasts blue-chip draftees Aaron Naughton – another Young client – Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy.
Logue’s decision to nominate the Roos complicated Lobb’s long-hatched plans to become a Bulldog but the Dockers’ pursuit of wantaway Demon Luke Jackson is in his favour.
Young doesn’t expect the Lobb and Logue deals to be connected but hinted they could be linked indirectly after discussions with North Melbourne’s list and recruiting manager Brady Rawlings.
“I’d like him to be (at the Bulldogs next year) and he wants to be there and we’ll just work with Fremantle to try and get it done,” Young told Trade Radio.
“I know that at this point in time they have said no, but we’ve all been through this a fair few times and sometimes there’s just a little bit of an opportunity there and he’s got one year to go.
“This could be a win for Fremantle, if they get some really good picks that can help them get Jackson, so we’re hoping that’s the case.”
Melbourne has placed a high price on premiership ruckman Jackson’s head and wants Freo to hand over two first-round draft picks as part of any potential trade, so any extra selections will aid their cause.
Jackson is yet to publicly nominate Fremantle or West Coast as his preferred destination.
The Kangaroos also hope to convince Saint Hunter Clark to request a trade to them.
Young said out-of-favour Cat Sam Menegola, who missed grand final selection and played only seven games this year, was likely to stay at Geelong.
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Originally published as AFL 2022: Why North Melbourne could help grant Rory Lobb’s wish to leave Fremantle for Western Bulldogs
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