This is a big Christmas gift too, with the contract extension over four years committing the Victorian to Port Adelaide until at least 2019.
With one season left on his existing contract, it means the Power’s true believers will need to get used to having the No. 23 jumper running around for a few more years to come.
GRAY: All-Australian to stay until at least 2018
After the season he had in 2014, fans will welcome the news – Lobbe was considered one of a handful of contenders for the coveted ruck mantle in this year’s All-Australian team.
And having handled ruck duties in all save one game this year, Lobbe may only get better, with the recent recruitment of Patrick Ryder to Alberton Oval.
Speaking to portadelaidefc.com.au in Dubai, Lobbe said putting pen to paper was a simple decision.
“It was easy [to sign], I love playing for this footy club, we’ve got some great people here, and great people leading the club,” Lobbe said.
“I’ve got some great mates here and we’re all committed to getting better.”
That commitment is being tested over the next seven days in the United Arab Emirates, where Lobbe and his teammates are being pushed to the limit at the state-of-the-art Nad Al Sheba sports complex.
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Strong pre-season work has undoubtedly helped him turnaround his position at the club, having been incredibly consistent in the ruck since the halfway mark of the 2013 campaign.
With the forward-ruck capabilities of Ryder on board, Lobbe may well find himself spend more time rotating through attack.
It’s why he’ll be hoping this pre-season will further improve his fitness base as he looks to increase the time spent focussing on his forward work for 2015.
“I’ve been able to complete the last few pre-seasons and I think the whole playing group coming together makes every individual just that little bit
better as well,” Lobbe said.
“I’ll be working a lot on my forward line work this year, to be versatile so I can play ruck and forward as well.
“Being able to have two ruckmen gives you the opportunity to be more flexible, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
PHOTOS: Dubai Day 1
Port Adelaide will spend the next eight days (seven training and one in the air) in Dubai, where they will experience a slightly tougher program to the one undertaken the same time last year.
While Lobbe believes his teammates are in good condition, evidenced by a number of personal-best times in the opening time trial last week, he says they’re under no illusions as to what is expected of them in the next week.
"The boys have come back in great nick, as shown by our 3km run the other day and we got smashed straight up yesterday,” Lobbe said.
“We’ve all got a picture in a head of how hard it’s going to be, because of last year, but we also know it’s probably going to be a little bit harder.”
Lobbe’s contract follows hot on the heels of Robbie Gray signing a new deal to keep him at the Power until at least 2018.
