Fremantle coach declares Rory Lobb pre-game attack was not a plan

Fremantle players seemed more focussed on attacking former Docker Rory Lobb than the footy but their coach says that’s not why they lost on Friday.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Alex Pearce of the Dockers and Rory Lobb of the Bulldogs wrestle before the first bounce during the round six AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, on April 21, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said there was no predetermined plan to attack former Docker forward Rory Lobb in a move which backfired on the home team in Perth on Friday night.

Lobb was returning as a Western Bulldog, playing for the first time against the club he left with a year to go on his contract, and was the focus of attention a few times throughout the game and even before it started.

He slung to the ground by Jordan Clarke and bumped into by Alex Pearce and in a premeditated attack all before the first siren sounded to start the game.

A few little stoushes erupted during the game and all involved Lobb.

IT'S NOT OVER.

Rory Lobb and Fremantle continue their back and forth! 😲

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) April 21, 2023

Late in the third quarter, the tall forward, who kicked 1.3 for the night, was dealing with several of his former teammates deep in the Dogs forward line, when Jamarra Ugle-Hagan severely mistimed a shot on goal from 35m out that fell to Adam Treloar, who kicked a goal to take the margin out to 24 points.

Lobb would have liked to have contributed more than 1.3, but would have enjoyed playing in the 49-point win.

Longmuir said he didn’t think the attention made a difference to the outcome.

“They‘re really isolated incidents, even before the siren,” he said.

“So, I don‘t think we took it over the top, and I’d be giving our players a massive out if I walked in there and told them that was the issue.

“I don‘t think that was the difference in the game at all.

“I thought it was a method thing. We were minus 18 or 19 (contested possessions) in the last quarter and our contest just fell apart in the last quarter.

“They exposed us on the outside. There might be isolated incidents, but I don‘t think that was the issue.

“It was much more widespread than having too much focus on Lobby.”

Corey Wagner of the Dockers wrestles with Rory Lobb (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Lobb is exactly who the Dockers could do with right now.

They are desperate for an experienced key forward.

Lobb led the Dockers goalkicking in 2022 with 36 goals and his presence is missing inside 50m.

After five games, Michael Walters leads their scoring with 11 goals; Lachie Shultz has 10. Jye Amiss, who had one handball to half-time against the Dogs and was subbed out of the game.

And during the week Matt Taberner was ruled out for an extended period due to a back injury.

“Yeah, we‘re probably missing a mature key forward that can take the best defender,” Longmuir said.

“Luke Jackson is still finding his way, Jye is still finding his way.

“We hope Tabs can get back to his best and give us something at the back-end of the year.

“I’m Not 100 per cent sure (about Nat Fyfe).

“We think he‘s getting closer, but we want to make sure (his foot is) right, so it doesn’t flare up again and we don’t have this situation again.

“Whether he plays somewhere this week or next week or the week after, we‘ll have to update during the week.”

Originally published as Fremantle coach declares Rory Lobb pre-game attack was not a plan