Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir mentioned there was no predetermined plan to assault former Docker ahead Rory Lobb in a transfer which backfired on the house workforce in Perth on Friday evening.
Lobb was returning as a Western Bulldog, taking part in for the primary time in opposition to the membership he left with a 12 months to go on his contract, and was the main focus of consideration just a few occasions all through the sport and even earlier than it began.
He slung to the bottom by Jordan Clarke and ran into by Alex Pearce and in a premeditated assault all earlier than the primary siren sounded to begin the sport.
A couple of little stoushes erupted through the recreation and all concerned Lobb.
Late within the third quarter, the tall ahead, who kicked 1.3 for the evening, was coping with a number of of his former teammates deep within the Dogs ahead line, when Jamarra Ugle-Hagan severely mistimed a shot on purpose from 35m out that fell to Adam Treloar, who kicked a purpose to take the margin out to 24 factors.
Lobb would have preferred to have contributed greater than 1.3, however would have loved taking part in within the 49-point win.
Longmuir mentioned he didn’t assume the eye made a distinction to the end result.
“They‘re really isolated incidents, even before the siren,” he said.
“So, I don‘t think we took it over the top, and I’d be giving our gamers an enormous out if I walked in there and advised them that was the problem.
“I don‘t think that was the difference in the game at all.
“I thought it was a method thing. We were minus 18 or 19 (contested possessions) in the last quarter and our contest just fell apart in the last quarter.
“They exposed us on the outside. There might be isolated incidents, but I don‘t think that was the issue.
“It was much more widespread than having too much focus on Lobby.”
Lobb is exactly who the Dockers could do with right now.
They are desperate for an experienced key forward.
Lobb led the Dockers goalkicking in 2022 with 36 goals and his presence is missing inside 50m.
After five games, Michael Walters leads their scoring with 11 goals; Lachie Shultz has 10. Jye Amiss, who had one handball to half-time against the Dogs and was subbed out of the game.
And during the week Matt Taberner was ruled out for an extended period due to a back injury.
“Yeah, we‘re probably missing a mature key forward that can take the best defender,” Longmuir said.
“Luke Jackson is still finding his way, Jye is still finding his way.
“We hope Tabs can get back to his best and give us something at the back-end of the year.
“I’m Not 100 per cent certain (about Nat Fyfe).
“We assume he‘s getting closer, but we want to make sure (his foot is) right, so it doesn’t flare up once more and we don’t have this example once more.
“Whether he performs someplace this week or subsequent week or the week after, we‘ll must replace through the week.”
Originally printed as Fremantle coach declares Rory Lobb pre-game assault was not a plan
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
