What Will He Bring - Rory Lobb

It was a move that had been rumoured for months on end, and it took until the dying moments of this year's Trade Period, but the Western Bulldogs managed to secure the services of Rory Lobb.

Lobb had been linked to the Bulldogs as early as May this year, following last-ditch attempts to leave Fremantle during last year's Trade Period as well. But despite Fremantle's insistence that Lobb would remain at the Dockers and see out the final year of his contract, the Bulldogs struck a deal for the 29-year-old, tying him down to a four-year deal.

THE TRADE:

Western Bulldogs Receive:

Rory Lobb

Fremantle Receive:

Pick 30

Future second-round selection pick

WHAT WE SAID:

“We’re thrilled to bring in someone of Rory’s ability, who we believe will add significantly to our playing list over the coming seasons.

“Players of Rory’s size, athleticism and experience, who can have an impact up forward and through the ruck, are difficult to find in the modern game.

“We can’t wait to see what Rory will bring to our Club.”

- General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power

2022 SEASON:

Lobb enjoyed a career-best season with Fremantle, spearheading an attack as the club enjoyed a rise up the ladder that ultimately ended in a Semi-Final appearance. With a return of 36.24, Lobb led Fremantle's goalkicking in 2022, kicking goals in 17 of his 21 appearances, including multiple goals on 11 occasions, headlined by a career-high five-goal haul against Port Adelaide in Round 16. He also demonstrated his value in the air, taking 49 marks inside-50 and 32 contested marks - ranked first and second at the club, respectively.

Rory Lobb proved himself as a reliable marking target in 2022. Source: Getty Images

WHAT WILL HE BRING?

The expectation is that Lobb will be predominately deployed as a forward during his time at the Bulldogs, providing an additional goalkicking option that the Bulldogs sorely cried out for during the majority of the 2022 season.

Despite Aaron Naughton (51 goals) and Cody Weightman (36) both producing career-best returns in front of goal, the Bulldogs lacked alternative avenues, with Marcus Bontempelli (24), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and the Brisbane-bound Josh Dunkley (both 18) the next highest goalscorers. Fellow key forwards Josh Bruce and Josh Schache also combined for just six goals all year.

While Lobb isn't proven as a regular goalscorer over his career (2022 was the first time he has kicked more than 30 goals in a season), he has proven himself as a terrific marking option in the forward line. In his time at Fremantle, Lobb has been rated as either "elite" or "above average" for contested marks in each of his four seasons at the club, while falling into the same category for marks inside-50 in three of the past four seasons. Where Lobb lets himself down, however is in his actual kicking for goal. Despite rating "above average" for shots at goal over the past two seasons, he ranks "below average" for goal accuracy, going at 44.4% and 48.6% over the past two years.

Lobb's arrival should benefit the Bulldogs in a couple of different ways. Firstly, he should be expected to bring with him the goal-scoring ability that he has shown in 2022 and provide the Bulldogs with an additional route to goal. But secondly, his presence in the forward should also help to draw opposition attention away from the likes of Naughton, Bruce and Ugle-Hagan. Remember, Naughton in particular spent most of last season playing as the sole tall forward in the Bulldogs' forward line, so having an additional tall option in attack should help to ensure that opposition clubs can't swarm all of their key defenders around Naughton, and instead focus their attention on the likes of Lobb as well. The same principle can also be applied to assisting young prospects such as Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy, who can continue to develop without having to cope with the additional pressure of the opposition's best or second-best defender every week.

Furthermore, Lobb can also be relied upon to act as an secondary ruck option. Despite never truly being a regular No.1 ruck option across his career, Lobb has regularly been used as an alternative option, and given the Bulldogs infamous tendencies to go with unconventional secondary ruck options, Lobb will be a useful asset under Luke Beveridge, being able to contest forward-50 ruck stoppages and occasional fill in around the ground, both providing Tim English with a spell, while ensuring that the Bulldogs remain competitive in the actual ruck contest.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite the fierce but brief rivalry the two clubs share, Rory Lobb with become the ninth player to represent both the Western Bulldogs and the GWS. Lobb joins names including Tom Boyd, Ryan Griffen, Josh Bruce, Adam Treloar, Callan Ward, Dylan Addison, Sam Reid, and Sam Darley.

One of nine players to represent both the Bulldogs and the Giants, Lobb also played in that famous 2016 Preliminary Final. Source: Getty Images