Out-of-favour Western Bulldogs big man Rory Lobb has apologised to coach Luke Beveridge after it was revealed the forward would seek a trade at season’s end.
According to 9News Melbourne’s chief football reporter Tom Morris, Lobb will work to exit Whitten Oval, irrespective of whether he plays senior football again in 2024.
He landed at the Western Bulldogs at the start of 2023, after stints with GWS and Fremantle, but has fallen out of favour with under-fire coach Beveridge, who axed him after round one only to be brought back into the side for round six and seven.
READ MORE: Why ‘done’ $600m expansion deal is ‘about China’
READ MORE: AFL legend set to fight disgraced NRL bad boy
READ MORE: ‘Concerns’ as Blues stars fail to train with team
He was axed again ahead of their eight-point loss to Hawthorn in round eight.
Now, Beveridge has revealed the conversation that transpired following the news of Lobb’s interest to move on from the Dogs.
Lobb has played most of the year in the VFL. Getty
“He came in and saw me and I wasn’t even aware of (the trade report),” Beveridge revealed.
“He’s looking at me as if he’s walked in to the principal’s office.
“He was quite apologetic and even embarrassed by it.”
But Beveridge says his focus is solely on the rest of their 2024 campaign, as he looks to inspire his side into September, despite their slow 5-6 record thus far.
“I just reassured him that if that’s what’s transpiring, whether it’s rumour or innuendo or it’s actually factual, it doesn’t matter to me,” he said.
Beveridge says he still supports Lobb. Getty
“He’s one of our people, one of our players and we’ll take care of him and he’ll continue to play AFL footy when his form is right and there’s a spot there.”
Beveridge defended Lobb’s move, ensuring that the 31-year-old is “committed” to Whitten Oval for at least the rest of the 2024 season.
“He said it didn’t reflect his train of thought, he’s absolutely committed here and anything that happens post-season, happens post-season,” Beveridge said.
“He was just trying to reassure me that anything like that which was a bit distasteful or unsavoury won’t get in the way of his application.”
The ruckman has been linked to a multitude of clubs who could be in need of his services in 2025.
St Kilda, Melbourne, North Melbourne and Collingwood could be on the hunt.
The trade suggestions could not have come at a worse time or Lobb, who will likely be called up to the senior side for the first time since round eight.
With key forward Aaron Naughton sidelined with a knee injury, Lobb could earn an AFL call up in round 12 to face Collingwood on Friday night.