Look up ‘Interesting Matthew Lobbe’ on Facebook and you’ll find dry and witty statuses about practical jokes and cups of tea.
The page is created and run by a group of Port Power supporters who just find the fact Matt Lobbe is tall, has reddish hair and just a little plain, is actually hilarious.
The players like it, supporters like it and the real Matt Lobbe probably likes it as well.
The most interesting thing about Matt Lobbe, though, is where he will fit in the Powers plans for next year.
As the season progressed, Port Adelaide’s reliance on Lobbe decreased. It was obvious the Lobbe-Patrick Ryder combination was struggling to work, Ryder prefers to be the lone ruckman and so does Lobbe.
In Round 20 Lobbe was dropped, Ryder proceeded to have 46 hit-outs and 17 touches, his best game statistically for the club. The next week Ryder had 40 hit-outs and 14 touches and was arguably was the best player on the field against the reigning premier, Hawthorn.
From the outside you could see Ryder relished having the responsibility of being the number one ruckman in the club.
Lobbe is a vice-captain, a popular teammate and as coach Ken Hinkley has said numerous times, a “required” player at Port Adelaide. Now, as reported during the week, Port have tabled a $3.5 million five-year deal to Charlie Dixon, so where does this leave Lobbe?
The problem comes when Dixon is thrown into the mix. If Lobbe and Ryder didn’t work then how would Ryder, Lobbe and Dixon work as three possible ruckmen. Oh, and don’t forget about the pinch-hitting Justin Westhoff.
In the past two years Port have used their first round pick, last year on Ryder and the year before on Jared Polec. With such a thin draft this year and an unexpected high draft position, Port would like to use their first rounder again this year.
So what gets the Dixon deal over the line?
The obvious trade would be Lobbe for Dixon. It’s harsh, especially for a vice-captain, to be traded a year after being the number one at Port Adelaide. But it gets the deal done and if Port don’t do it now then Lobbe’s stocks lower significantly next year, especially if he doesn’t play.
The Charlie Dixon story is interesting, but nowhere near as interesting as Matthew Lobbe.
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