Rory Lobb’s switch from attack to defence has taken the Western Bulldogs’ backline to another level, says coach Luke Beveridge.
But he won’t confirm whether the big man’s backline resurgence will prove a permanent switch.
Lobb kept Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron to one goal and six touches and racked up 21 disposals, 14 intercept possessions and nine marks himself.
It proved crucial to the Bulldogs’ 47-point win at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
“It’s awesome. I mean, he was just dominant – him and Buku (Khamis) were just impenetrable,” Beveridge said.
“It was a telling key back performance, difficult at times, especially when it was compressed into our end, with Rory having to play a little bit higher at times and but he was just quite magnificent, really.”
Beveridge praised the rest of his backline, including Khamis, Taylor Duryea, Nick Coffield, Bailey Dale, Lachie Bramble and Joel Freijah.
Jedd Busslinger and Alex Keath add further defensive depth, while Liam Jones, James O’Donnell and Ryan Gardner are on the way back from injuries.
Beveridge backed his defensive stocks overall.
But after starting the season in and out of the VFL amid inconsistent form as a ruck/forward, causing trade speculation, Lobb has completely transformed his year, and the Bulldogs’ defence, in a four-game stint.
“Rory’s made a difference in that it’s gone to a better level,” Beveridge said. “He’s raised the bar a little bit. So that’s promising.”
Lobb has two years left on his contract and Beveridge was asked if they would discuss settling him as a long-term key back.
“There’s no need for us to move away from what we’re doing there. There’s no real need to make a statement about it,” he said.
“Because in times in the future, if we lose key forwards through injury, and we know we’ve got Lobby there and we need to make decisions around whether or not he needs to go forward or even if he needs to play in the ruck. But he looks a natural.”
Beveridge said he was happy for Lobb and his career resurgence on a personal level.
“This has been so difficult at times when he hasn’t been in the team, because, as I’ve said, he’s too good a player. He’s too good a professional. He’s too good a human being,” he said.
“It doesn’t always count for much at selection sometimes, but I’m just really rapt that what he’s doing means that his spot in the team, if he’s fit, it shouldn’t be questioned.
“So we found a way forward with him and I love the fact that he’s got peace of mind, not just in his footy, in his professional life, but just in general.
“And it’s awesome, because I know our supporters, our fans, would just be loving what he’s doing.”
Source Agencies
