MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Rory Lobb and his Dockers team mates look dejected after losing the round nine AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Fremantle forward Rory Lobb is reportedly expected to request a trade to a Victorian team at the conclusion of this season, despite being contracted at Cockburn through 2023.
The former Giant, who was picked 29th overall at the 2013 National Draft, has played 135 AFL games since debuting during the 2014 season.
Lobb has reached unprecedented heights this season, averaging a career-high 1.9 goals per game and having already achieved his highest goal tally in a season (30) in just 16 matches, topping his next best season total (29) from 24 games in 2016.
With numerous Victorian clubs said to be preparing to make a play for Lobb this off-season, we examine five potential landing spots for the 29-year-old.
The Western Bulldogs have been the team most linked to Lobb this season, with Channel 7's Tom Browne recently claiming Lobb would most likely be "off to the Bulldogs".
It would appear the Bulldogs are keen on Lobb for the purposes of strengthening their forward stocks (which include Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce), as well as assisting fellow ruck-forward, Tim English, who recently penned a contract extension to remain at The Kennel.
Along with his goal-kicking abilities and high-marking tendencies, Lobb is also more than capable of playing the ruck position, as he has demonstrated many a time in Giants and Dockers colours.
With 35-year-old Stefan Martin less than likely to be a Bulldog beyond this year due to his age and unrestricted free agent status, Lobb seems like a more-than-sensible option for the Dogs' list management brain trust.
The Saints, in addition to the Bulldogs, have been linked to Lobb this year.
And considering the versatility the 207-centimetre man-mountain could offer the Saints, it's not hard to see why.
With star-in-the-making ruck-forward Rowan Marshall recently re-signing at Moorabbin, Lobb could not only assist with ruck duties but also bolster a St Kilda forward-line that already boasts prodigy Max King and veteran Tim Membrey.
With draft capital at the ready, the Saints would surely pounce on an opportunity to trade for Lobb in order to pair him with King and free-up Marshall.
The Demons are surely preparing for an end-of-year scenario where emerging ruck-forward Luke Jackson winds up a Fremantle player by the conclusion of the 2022 trade period.
However, as Jackson is a non-free agent at the end of this season, a trade would have to be struck between Melbourne and Fremantle if Jackson is to end up in WA.
Enter a perfect-storm, win-win trade where, correspondingly, Lobb is sent the Demons' way as part of a Jackson compensation package.
As a result, Melbourne's forward stocks are vastly improved and Max Gawn isn't stranded as the sole ruckman at the Dees if Jackson departs.
The Tigers would undoubtedly profit from the addition of Lobb to their forward-ruck stocks, with the more-than-likely retirement of club great Jack Riewoldt set to leave a gaping hole at key forward alongside spearhead Tom Lynch.
A Lobb-Lynch pairing would make for a salivatingly lethal forward-line combination, while also alleviating pressure off workhorse ruck Toby Nankervis.
However, Richmond is said to be interested in GWS midfield duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper and may look to strike a trade for one or both young Giants at the end of this year, likely not leaving much trade capital left to pursue any potential Lobb opportunity.
The Magpies have been in need of a bonafide key forward for some time and Lobb would indubitably help fill that hole at Olympic Park.
Amid the emergence of ruck-forward Darcy Cameron, whispers about Brodie Grundy's uncertain future in black and white have begun to grow louder in recent times, with there being a potential for the contracted 28-year-old to land elsewhere in 2023.
If that scenario were to unfold, Collingwood's list management hierarchy would surely be tempted by the prospect of luring Lobb into Pies colours.
The Magpies would likely have to compete with one or more of the aforementioned four clubs for Lobb's services if they choose to throw their hat in the ring, but it would be reasonable to assume Collingwood will at least show interest in the Swan Districts product.