AFL 2024: The reason behind Rory Lobb’s likely trade request from the Bulldogs

Before Rory Lobb was traded to the Bulldogs at the end of 2022, coach Luke Beveridge was the one to make the personal sales pitch – and it’s now the catalyst behind his likely next move.

Rory Lobb’s determination to find a fourth club at season’s end is because he believes the club has not backed in its sales pitch to make him a key element of the club’s forward line under Luke Beveridge.

This masthead revealed on Friday Lobb still wanted to be traded to a new home despite the 4-6 week medial ligament injury to star forward Aaron Naughton.

That injury could hand Lobb a key role in the forward line in the next month to again show his wares as a strong-marking forward who can play in the ruck.

But clubs like Melbourne, North Melbourne, St Kilda and Collingwood are expected to be in the market for forward-rucks, with very few available players who can play forward while also pinch-hitting in the ruck.

Rory Lobb is unlikely to be at the Bulldogs next year. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos

The Bulldogs take on Collingwood in a Friday night crunch match as they seek to get back to 6-6 after a fighting loss to Sydney this weekend.

Young rucks like Essendon’s Nick Bryan and Gold Coast’s Ned Moyle, who are attracting some interest, are pure ruckmen, instead of hybrid forward-rucks who can relieve a starting big man.

Lobb was told he would have a key role in a forward line that could win a premiership when Luke Beveridge handed him a personal sales pitch about joining the Dogs on a four-year deal worth over $500,000 a season at the end of 2022.

The former Giant and Fremantle player is understood to feel he has not been given the chances he might have been promised under the Beveridge system.

But Beveridge played him in round 1 ahead of young forward Sam Darcy, with Lobb kicking only one goal in his three appearances so far this season.

In his 20 games last year, Lobb kicked 23 goals, including a strong finish to the year when he kicked 10 in the last four games and helped turn the round 24 contest against Geelong in the ruck.

Lobb has made just three senior appearance this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

The Dogs will be asked to trade him to a rival for a later pick given his lack of game time this year but because he is contracted they will hold the whip hand in negotiations.

While he has grown disgruntled at his treatment, the Dogs have been thrilled with the attitude of leadership group member Caleb Daniel despite his time out of the side.

Daniel narrowly missed out in voting to Tom Liberatore as vice captain and the club’s coaching staff has been thrilled with his buy-in and determination to improve, despite spending time in the VFL and as the sub.

He was to be the sub again on the weekend, given his versatility, until a late illness to James O’Donnell meant he secured a starting role and Ryley Sanders came into the side as the sub.

Liberatore is hopeful of playing on Friday week against the Lions, but forward Anthony Scott and midfielder Ed Richards will miss Friday night’s clash with the Magpies due to concussion.