Star Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong is sending his best wishes to Rory Lobb as the Western Bulldogs big man battles through the toughest period of his AFL career.
Lobb was booed by some Bulldogs fans after being subbed off in last week’s 43-point loss to Brisbane.
Caleb Serong of the Dockers.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The 31-year-old was scoreless from just five disposals when he was yanked out of the game, and he has kicked just three goals across five games this season.
With Sam Darcy suspended for another week and Aaron Naughton (knee) still injured, Lobb appears almost certain to keep his spot for Saturday’s match against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
Lobb is contracted until the end of 2026, but speculation suggests he will seek a trade away from the Bulldogs at the end of this season in a bid to link with a fourth club.
The 207cm forward-ruckman started his career at GWS, then spent four seasons at Fremantle before cutting ties with the Dockers early to join the Bulldogs at the end of 2022.
Although Lobb’s exit from Fremantle was somewhat messy, Serong said the 165-game veteran still had friends at the club.
“I’m sure there’s guys that are still close to him and will reach out,” Serong said on Monday.
“There’s a few guys who are still close to him.
“I wish him the best. He’s getting an opportunity to play some footy now and put his best foot forward.”
Fremantle players used the bye week to mentally and physically refresh.
For Serong, he also used the time to get engaged to his partner Chloe Furnari.
The Dockers entered the bye on the back of a 92-point demolition of Melbourne in Alice Springs.
Serong said despite that hot performance, the bye came at a good time.
“You kind of have different parts of the year where you feel a bit more fatigued or overloaded or mentally fatigued,” Serong said.
“I felt like the last week has been good. I’m really refreshed, energised, and all the boys have come back feeling the same.
“The training standard today – the intensity – and Saturday as well was through the roof.”
The win over Melbourne coincided with the return to form of veteran duo Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters.
The ruck combination of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson was also a big success.
“Those guys have got a lot of love in the four walls from the coaching staff to the players,” Serong said.
“We spoke about it after the game, those guys had a great impact in that game, they responded really well to that criticism.”
Defender Brennan Cox is in the final stages of his recovery from hamstring surgery, and has a chance to play some WAFL minutes this week or next.
AAP
