BROWNLOW medallist Adam Cooney has said he believes that Western Bulldogs\u2019 recruit Rory Lobb has been a failed experiment as the thirty-year-old tries to find some form in 2023.<\/p>\n
Lobb was traded to the Dogs from the Dockers for pick 30 and a future second-round selection during last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere 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,\u201d Cooney said one SEN\u2019s Run Home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve had some injuries to Darcy and whatnot, but it still hasn\u2019t worked. He just doesn\u2019t fit the mould of where they are at the Western Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is just floating at the moment. He\u2019s up on the wing, he\u2019s forward, he\u2019s in the ruck, time on the pine, it just hasn\u2019t worked.<\/p>\n
\u201cFull credit to the Dogs for having a crack at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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?<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can\u2019t really play a key position down back can he?\u201d Cooney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan he play as a third defender who tries to intercept? Could they experiment with that? Maybe that\u2019s the last straw for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be more comfortable with Aaron Naughton back there [in defence] but then who kicks the goals?\u201d<\/p>\n