Brownlow medallist calls out key Dog

BROWNLOW medallist Adam Cooney has said he believes that Western Bulldogs’ recruit Rory Lobb has been a failed experiment as the thirty-year-old tries to find some form in 2023.

Lobb was traded to the Dogs from the Dockers for pick 30 and a future second-round selection during last year’s trade period but is yet to make a serious impact in the red, white and blue after kicking 13 goals from 13 games this year.

Cooney, who played 219 games for the Dogs, wondered why his former side targeted Lobb during the off-season given their abundance of young and talented key forwards.

“There were question marks leading in as to where he [Lobb] was going to fit in and how and why they would bother with (Sam) Darcy down there as well and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan,” Cooney said one SEN’s Run Home.

“They’ve had some injuries to Darcy and whatnot, but it still hasn’t worked. He just doesn’t fit the mould of where they are at the Western Bulldogs.

“He is just floating at the moment. He’s up on the wing, he’s forward, he’s in the ruck, time on the pine, it just hasn’t worked.

“Full credit to the Dogs for having a crack at it.”

Lobb enjoyed a career best season last year, kicking 36 goals from 21 games and helped lead Fremantle to their first finals series in seven years, but this year the key forward has failed to kick more than two goals in a game.

After trialling a mix of players as key defenders in 2023, the Dogs are still searching for someone to cement themselves in the role, leading Cooney to pose the question should the Dogs trial Lobb as a defender?

“He can’t really play a key position down back can he?” Cooney said.

“Can he play as a third defender who tries to intercept? Could they experiment with that? Maybe that’s the last straw for him.

“I’d be more comfortable with Aaron Naughton back there [in defence] but then who kicks the goals?”

– MARCUS BEECK/ SEN