The two clubs that standout as candidates to trade from Rory Lobb, and assessing the other sides

Rory Lobb will join a fourth club next season and will request a trade out of the Western Bulldogs, according to Nine News’ Tom Morris.

The 31-year-old has been in and out of the Dogs’ side since making the move across from Fremantle in the 2022 trade period, now sitting behind Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy in the pecking order.

The question is – who will actually attempt to lure a player like Lobb, with two years to run on a hefty contract, with his history of requesting trades and given his age?

On paper, he presents as something many teams would be very interested in. A key forward who can kick you 30-35 goals and adequately fill your back-up ruck role? It sounds great on paper.

The trade itself will be a headache given his contract with the Dogs, their history of fighting to keep players who have signed on, and likely negotiations over who pays what percentage of the money owed.

So, let’s go through the teams. Who will make a trade for his services?

Given Lobb specifically wished to leave Fremantle to move to Victoria, it’s hard to imagine he will now wish to relocate again – so we’re immediately eliminating the non-Vic teams from this equation.

GWS is maybe the only team outside of Victoria, given he previously considered moving back there while at Freo.

The Giants have Jesse Hogan in career best form, rising number one draft pick Aaron Cadman and Jake Riccardi – Lobb would maybe be superfluous to needs anyway.

Of the Victorian teams, Collingwood screams as the Rory Lobb location. He’s an upgrade on Mason Cox, their key forward depth is lacking as it is and if there was a mid-season trade period, he’d probably be a Magpie next week given their injuries.

St Kilda was the team, according to Morris, that was closest to luring Lobb from the Dockers previously, before the Dogs won the race for his services.

Given they are using Mitchito Owens as Rowan Marshall’s backup ruck and they’re still carrying Tom Campbell on their list, they will surely be right in the mix for Lobb.

North Melbourne could use some size and a back-up ruck for Tristian Xerri, particularly given Callum Coleman-Jones’ Achilles injury and the money likely wouldn’t be an issue for them. But does Lobb want to move to the struggling Roos?

Melbourne has borderline zero ruck coverage behind Max Gawn right now and also would be among those weighing it up if there was a mid-season trade period, but you’d imagine they’d look for a cheaper option come the end of the year.

The Dees feel like a Ned Moyle team, more-so than a Lobb team.

On paper, Rory Lobb would be nice for Carlton. Jack Silvagni’s injury issues have left them stuck between two ruck identities all season.

However, Harry McKay’s emergence as a capable secondary ruck option and having two rucks locked in on their list means the Blues are better off spending their money elsewhere.

Does Geelong want another 30-plus player on their list? Lobb does make sense in terms of replacing Rhys Stanley, who feels like he is at the end of his career, but the Cats are surely looking younger given their list profile.

The three Victorian teams who don’t feel relevant at all to the Lobb discussion are Essendon, Richmond and Hawthorn.

Essendon has 12 players on their list over 196cm. Even if Todd Goldstein retires, they’re fine here.

Hawthorn? They have Mabior Chol at home… and Richmond aren’t looking at a 31-year-old ruck-forward right now.

Lobb and his camp surely wouldn’t be so open with their plans if there wasn’t interest coming from somewhere. On this exercise, Collingwood and St Kilda feel like the more likely homes, unless he’d be willing to give North Melbourne a chance.

With Naughton injured at the Dogs, he has a few months now to prove he is worth investing in.