Former Tiger Sam Lloyd might be kicking himself after seeing his former club win the flag. On a personal level, the crafty forward delivered his best season to date. With 38 goals Lloyd finished as the club's leading goal-kicker, beating his previous best by a solid 10 points. Lloyd should benefit from the introduction of Josh Bruce, who'll push him down the priority list for opposition defenders. It could also allow him to move up the ground more as a link-up player, though it could also mean he is squeezed out. Watch Lloyd carefully, as he could prove to be a late steal.
Wrong medal for Lloyd
Former Tiger Sam Lloyd might be kicking himself after seeing his former club win the flag. On a personal level, the crafty forward delivered his best season to date. With 38 goals Lloyd finished as the club's leading goal-kicker, beating his previous best by a solid 10 points. Lloyd should benefit from the introduction of Josh Bruce, who'll push him down the priority list for opposition defenders. It could also allow him to move up the ground more as a link-up player, though it could also mean he is squeezed out. Watch Lloyd carefully, as he could prove to be a late steal.
Life line for Lloyd
Swapping Punt Road for Whitten Oval, Sam Lloyd will finally receive an opportunity at senior level. Following a full 22-game season in the disappointing 2016 campaign for the Tigers, Lloyd was limited to 15 over the past two years. An efficient kick at goal with 67% accuracy across his career, the former Tiger will hope to steady the wayward Bulldogs. Lloyd joins the club with the clear mandate that he needs to provide scoreboard impact, effectively replacing the retired Jack Redpath. With a personal best of 35 goals, Lloyd may well provide a quick solution to this problem area. Expect him to become the third tall forward, a role that has been difficult to fill at the Dogs. This position is not conducive for fantasy production.
Unlucky Lloyd left languishing
It must have been a bit rough being Sam Lloyd watching his teammates on grand final day. He was dropped after round 16 after putting up similar numbers to in his 2016 breakout (albeit with half the goals), then banged the door down in the twos with a 48-disposal day... but never got the senior call up, winning the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in the VFL grand final. Lloyd was a victim of the shortie-focused forward policy at Richmond, which is strange as he barely stands six foot himself. His game is much more like that of a key forward though, making the top 50 for marks inside 50, and the Tigers wanted a mosquito fleet of crumbers harassing the opposition defenders. Watch him in the JLT to see if he can reinvent himself as a midfielder, Kane Lambert style.
