Moneyball: Rory Lobb could stay at Western Bulldogs after career revival in defence

Rory Lobb’s stunning career revival in defence has left Westerm Bulldogs in an awkward position as they maintain a strong interest in one of the best key backmen on the market.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Elijah Tsatas of the Bombers and Alwyn Davey Jnr of the Bombers celebrate during the 2024 AFL Round 11 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Rory Lobb’s extraordinary revival as a key defender could see him remain a part of the Western Bulldogs next season.

In what would be a stunning turnaround for a player who looked out of the door at the end of this season, despite having acontract until the end of 2026, it is understood the 31-year-old is enjoying his role in defence in recent weeks in the absence of an injured Liam Jones.

While Jones is pushing for a return potentially even as early as this weekend against the Swans, the Bulldogs are committed to keeping Lobb in the back half given the ease with which he has turned from underperforming forward to winning votes in the AFL Coaches Association award in recent weeks.

Rory Lobb has become a born-again defender for the Bulldogs this past month. Picture: Mark Stewart

Jones was almost certain to ask for a trade at season’s end after being overlooked in attack in the early part of the year, kept out by the Bulldogs’ ruck forward stocks.

But a move to defence, set up by Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, has changed the dynamic and Lobb has said several times inrecent weeks that he is happy to stay at Whitten Oval so long as he is playing AFL football, not consigned to long periods in the VFL.

One of the complicating factors could be the Bulldogs’ real interest in West Coast defender Tom Barrass, who is weighing up his future with the Eagles.

A decision won’t be made by Barrass until the end of the season, but his move east could determine what happens with Lobb’s footy future and if he moves to a fourth AFL club.

"They say that failed forwards are good backs - I used to say that to the backs!"

Rory Lobb is loving his time behind the footy 💪 pic.twitter.com/xTIBR8Bg1b

— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 20, 2024

RIVALS WEIGH UP BID FOR BOMBERS’ NO.5 DRAFT PICK

Essendon second-year midfielder Elijah Tsatas is expected to attract interest in this year’s AFL trade period as he struggles to break into the Bombers’ midfield mix.

Tsatas, 19, has played 11 senior games over his first two years at Essendon but has been stuck on the outer of the club’s midfield logjam. The No.5 draft pick has nice speed and is working hard to improve his kicking after racking up consistently big numbers in the VFL.

He could loom on Richmond’s radar if gun defender Daniel Rioli accepts an offer to rejoin premiership coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast for next season.

Rivals could Bombers youngster Elijah Tsatas come trade period. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

The Suns are chasing Rioli as one of the best line-breaking defenders in the competition in exchange for at least one first-round pick.

Tastas could potentially add some run to the Tigers’ midfield stocks although all discussions won’t eventuate until the end of the season.

The Tigers could also lose Liam Baker to West Coast or Fremantle and Dustin Martin to either retirement or the Suns.

Tsatas’ opportunities could be limited in the red and black due, in part, to the outstanding development of Jye Caldwell and Sam Durham in 2024.

The two midfield ball-winners have excelled in the engine room and are two of the most improved players in the competition this season.

Elijah Tsatas has been in and out of the Essendon side, often as sub. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Coach Brad Scott has said Tsatas, a prolific midfielder in his draft class, is in a hurry to play at AFL level after overcoming a knee issue early in his first season at Tullamarine.

It comes as Nick Cox moves closer to an imminent contract extension after three goals in the loss to Adelaide on Friday night.

Harry Jones will also secure a long-term contract extension on the back of a career-best year in a wing-forward role.

Originally published as Moneyball: Rory Lobb could stay at Western Bulldogs after career revival in defence