Swans best and fairest Jake Lloyd ready to resume training after off-season surgery

Sydney club champion Jake Lloyd is determined to raise the bar again in 2019 as he targets an imminent return to full training after off-season hip surgery.

Swans club champion Jake Lloyd is determined to raise the bar again in 2019 as he targets an imminent return to full training after off-season hip surgery.

The 25-year-old defender is working hard on the track and hopeful of taking part in the full program in the next fortnight.

What separates ‘champions’ from the rest is a constant desire to improve and an insatiable hunger for more success.

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Jake Lloyd was rewarded for a stunning season with the Swans best and fairest award. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Lloyd is blessed with those qualities and while proud of receiving the Bob Skilton Medal at the end of last season, his focus now is delivering an even better 2019 and to continue repaying the faith shown in him.

Last year saw Lloyd become the quickest Swan in history to reach 100 AFL games, achieved in a round eight triumph over Hawthorn at the MCG.

He also led the way in average disposals for John Longmire’s side and recorded the most Swans disposals on nine occasions last season.

“Club champion was an incredible night,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“To have my family there was a very special moment.

“I was very happy with the season I had personally. I feel like I went to another level with my football and there’s what every player strives to do.

Lloyd has been limited to fitness work at training after off-season surgery. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“Going forward those challenges are there. Yes, I was proud to get the award but I’ve got to be more consistent next year. I’ve got to drive myself to be better. I can’t just rest on my laurels and to be happy with where I am.

“I understand what it takes now to play every week. I’ve got confidence now that I know I belong at this level. It’s about continuing to learn my craft, finding that one or two per cent in each area and building it.”

Lloyd has fought hard to make his AFL dream become a reality and his reward was a fresh four-year deal last year.

“I was stoked to sign that,” he said. “To have that security and the club’s backing, it was a pretty easy decision to make.

“They’ve shown faith in me, picking me up at the end of 2012 having missed a couple of drafts, so it’s about returning the favour, playing good footy and helping drive this group to bigger and better things. I’m just grateful for the opportunity I have.

Lloyd wants to take another step and be even better for the Swans in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

“You need a little bit of luck along the way but you drive your own career in terms of how you attack training and what you want to get out of each and every moment at the footy club.

“I did a lot of work to get the opportunity and I didn’t want to waste it.”

Should he need any extra motivation to hit even greater heights, then a glance at the training track should suffice.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids coming through and they’re constantly putting the pressure on,” Lloyd said. “I’ve got to keep delivering each week. This pre-season has been about that internal drive and digging in each session to get better. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead.”

The hip surgery means the Swans are treading carefully with the player’s workload but he is now stepping it up as the new campaign looms ever closer.

“Everything’s progressing well and I’ll look to be back in full training within the next week or two,” he said.

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