Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale has lauded Rory Lobb for his efforts in the backline against North Melbourne.

Lobb, who was swung into defence on a needs basis, finished the day with 16 disposals, eight marks and 12 intercepts.

“Lobby was great. I thought the way he attacked the ball in the air and intercepted – it was probably something we’ve been lacking down there,” Dale told Triple M on Sunday.

“It was great to see him have a really good game for us.

“He’s obviously a pretty experienced player. He played down there a little bit I think he said at GWS, so we sort of let him just go about his business.

“I’m sure Jonesy and Jimmy O’Donnell and the other guys down deep in the backline there set him up beautifully.”

Speaking to Triple M immediately after the game, Lobb said the decision all came about pretty quickly.

“It was kind of last minute in our main training session – after the cameras went away,” Lobb explained.

“Bevo just gave me the bib and said you’re going to the backline.

“I trained probably five minutes there. He just said ‘back yourself in the air and play like you’re a forward – you’ll know when to play on someone’.

“I found at times I did feel like I was a forward...I felt really good out there with Liam Jones too.”

The Bulldogs will meet Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon in Round 17.