Fremantle head of player personnel David Walls has reiterated the club’s stance that Rory Lobb will not be traded.
Lobb was reported to be furious after the Dockers spectacularly denied his trade request for a second year running, despite knowing for almost 12 months that he would once again try to leave at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
The 207cm key forward played 19 games in 2022 and led Fremantle’s goal kicking with 36 majors, with the Dockers planning on holding Lobb to his contract given his importance to the side.
“We’ve got every intention of keeping Rory… our position hasn’t changed. He’s contracted, guys that are 207cms, kick two goals a game and go into the ruck are that rare,” Walls told AFL Trade Radio.
“We’ve got a young tall forward line so he’s crucial to us. I don’t see a way in which we’re trading Rory.”
Meanwhile, Walls added the club hasn’t given up hope of changing Griffin Logue’s mind, despite the 24-year-old requesting a trade to North Melbourne.
The uncertainty surounding Alastair Clarkson continuing at North Melbourne has been compounded by 2021 No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne Francis requesting a trade to Port Adelaide. The Roos are also without a CEO after Ben Amarfio resigned in early September.
Logue’s teammate Darcy Tucker has requested a trade to the Roos as well.
“I still think they’ll end up there at North, although we haven’t given up hope,” Walls added.
“We’re talking with Griffin to see if there is an opening that he would look to come back and the specific role he could play with us coming back.
“Darcy Tucker, we really respect him, he’s played over 100 games for our club but he hasn’t been able to bed down a role with us the last couple of years and where he plays we’ve got a lot of depth.
“He’s contracted and if we can help him find a home where he’s more likely to play and bed down a role, we’d do that for Darcy.”
Walls also spoke about Fremantle’s pursuit of Melbourne ruckman Luke Jackson and the interest in Suns forward Josh Corbett, while simultaneously ruling out Liam Henry seeking a trade.
See his comments below.
Luke Jackson
“It’s still very early, still early days,” Walls said.
“He’s indicated he’d like to come to WA, we’d love to have him, so that’s on the agenda today to catch up with Melbourne and see if we can progress that any further.
“I definitely hope so (the deal will get done).”
Josh Corbett
“Definitely hopeful (we can land him), we think he can play a real role for us.
“He’s a real hard-working, hit up tall forward, not overly tall, but can take a contested mark and give a really good contest, so really looking at him in terms of the role Griffin Logue played when he went forward.”
Liam Henry
“We’ve still got high hopes for Liam, with Blake Acres leaving we can really see Liam taking that over.
“He’s made huge gains again this year. He’s contracted for next year and there’s been no conversation about trading Liam or a request for a trade either, so he’ll be with us next year.”