Former list manager Stephen Silvagni believes Rory Lobb's “fluctuation in effort” and his hefty price tag are the two main reasons why clubs are hesitant to touch the key position prospect.
Silvagni was at the Giants in 2013 and was in charge of the team that drafted Lobb.
The 28-year-old predominantly played as a forward at the Giants but became a hybrid ruckman before he was traded to Fremantle at the end of 2018.
However, he’s predominantly left his ruck career behind at the Dockers to feature as a key forward, showcasing extraordinary amounts of talent at times but failing to play at high levels consistently.
He has the attributes of a ruckman with his 206cm frame and good contested mark, and Silvagni loved that aspect of his game when he was drafted.
“He was an interesting player, he has been throughout his whole career,” he told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.
“We brought him in as a ruckman at the Giants, watching him over in Western Australia we watched him ruck and he’d have some great games where he’d take contested marks around the ground and when he’s on, he’s on.
“I’m unaware of that (the belief that Lobb doesn’t want to play ruck), I was only at the Giants for a short period while he was there, but apparently that is the case, I can’t confirm it.”
Lobb is reported to be on upwards of $700,000 a year and is under contract to 2022.
It’s left Fremantle in a tricky position, where they're not seeing the return on investment they’d hope for but are also unlikely to get Lobb off their books without paying part of his salary.
“When he plays forward, he can be red hot as well but once again fluctuation in effort hurts him,” Silvagni said.
“I guess patience basically runs out, (clubs will say) ‘I don’t know what he’s going to give me each week.’
“The talls that compete, and you know what effort they’re going to give, clubs are all over those types.
“He’s one player who’s on good money, my understanding is I have heard that he’d look at another club, but I think the salary is a hurdle at the moment.”
Lobb kicked 20 goals from 13 games in 2021 and has never kicked more than 29 goals in a season.