Former Fremantle forward Rory Lobb to undergo surgery for ankle injury after lacklustre Western Bulldogs debut

Rory Lobb’s start to life at the Western Bulldogs has stalled after just one game, with the ex-Docker set to undergo surgery after a lacklustre club debut.

Lobb struggled to have an impact as the fourth tall in a stacked Dogs forward line, managing just six disposals and two marks, as well as failing to hit the scoreboard in the 50-point loss against Melbourne.

The Bulldogs on Monday revealed Lobb will miss at least the club’s round two clash with St Kilda as he undergoes “minor surgery” but could face a short stint on the sidelines.

“Rory Lobb has developed some catching pain in his ankle, relating to some small loose bodies in the joint that have intermittently caused him issues in the last few years,” the Dogs’ head of sports medicine Chris Bell said.

“To minimise risk of him having recurrent issues, we have decided to be proactive and wash the loose bodies out with an ankle arthroscopy (Monday) afternoon.

“We will determine Rory’s return to play plan following the procedure, but don’t expect it to keep him out for too long.”

Dockers fans will be hoping the 30-year-old is ready to return for a potential round six grudge match against his former club at Optus Stadium.

Lobb made his move to the Dogs in the dying minutes of last year’s trade period following a bitter end to his four-year stint at Fremantle.

His successful trade came 12 months after he had requested a return to his original club, Greater Western Sydney, before it fell through.

Lobb revealed the failed move had resulted in a “disjointed” relationship with Justin Longmuir and the rest of the Fremantle coaching staff in Stan’s new AFL documentary Show Me The Money II.

“It’s an interesting thing for me,” Lobb tells his manager, Colin Young of Corporate Sports Australia, in the doco.

“I feel like I’m really close with the boys and playing good footy but I’m sort of just a little bit disjointed from the coaching staff in a way.

“I think it has stemmed from them thinking I don’t want to be there. I’ve barely talked to JL, probably a couple of words once a week, but I just sort of saw the writing on the wall.”