I know most on here don't rate him..but anyways
RIVAL CLUBS ‘LOOKING AT’ OUT-OF-FAVOUR BOMBERForgotten Essendon midfielder Ben Hobbs, who has played just 10 senior games this season after 18 last year, is being ‘looked at’ by rival clubs ahead of the off-season.
The Bombers selected Hobbs — who is contracted for one more season — with the No. 13 pick in 2021, but he could be out the Hangar door just two years later, per Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark.
“Ben Hobbs’ future is really interesting,” began Clark on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday evening.
“The midfield squeeze is on at the Bombers ... they’ve got Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell — who signed for four years today — has been on a rocket; he’s become an A-grader.
“Sam Durham will finish in the top-three (of Essendon’s) best-and-fairest. Plus, outside of that, they’ve got Dylan Shiel, Will Setterfield — who had 43 touches in the VFL a week ago — Elijah Tsatas can’t get a game, and Hobbs, who played 18 games last year averaging 20 touches (but) can’t get a game (this year).
“He’s played 10 games this year, averaging 13 possessions — he’s on a massive slide. He is a ready-made midfielder that rival clubs are looking at, at the moment.”
In terms of which clubs that could come calling in October, Clark floated a couple of options.
“I think you’d have to have a look at Collingwood, who I think really need to bolster their midfield,” Clark said.
“Someone to take the physical load off Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury’s got a year left, Steele Sidebottom maybe (has) one year, (and) what’s Tom Mitchell’s future? So, I think the Pies need to bolster their midfield.
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Richmond, if they lose (Jack) Graham, (Shai) Bolton, (Daniel) Rioli and (Liam) Baker, do they need some density? Do they need a bigger body like Ben Hobbs?“He’s only 20 years old, so we still consider him young. He’s had some exposure at the top level, (and he’s) contracted for one more year.”
Clark added that little-used ruckman Nick Bryan will attract rival overtures this off-season.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-rumours-2024-ben-hobbs-eyed-by-rivals-nick-bryan-jack-graham-update-essendon-bombers-richmond-tigers-midweek-tackle-comments-latest-news/news-story/ddb20261cb3ab93a8f7d5586e8becc19