Ex-AFL star links up with a local footy club after surprise retirement
A former Richmond and Western Bulldogs star has signed on with a suburban footy club a month after his surprise AFL retirement.
Northern
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Bundoora has secured one of the most in-demand players on the market for 2021.
Former Richmond and Western Bulldogs star Sam Lloyd will link up with the Bulls this season in a massive boost to the Northern Football League club’s finals aspirations.
Lloyd played 89 AFL games between 2014 and 2020, kicking 114 goals.
Despite having a year to run on his contract, the 30-year-old announced his surprise retirement in December, keen to explore the next phase of his life.
Bundoora coach Michael Ryan has a relationship with Lloyd through mutual friends and was rapt to secure his signature.
“Through friends we’ve got a mutual friendship and we spoke a few times during the year when he was up in the hub,” Ryan said.
“When Sam decided to retire the biggest thing for him was making sure he had employment outside of football and we were able to facilitate that.
“He’s made the decision to move into the next phase of his life, he’s passionate about construction, and we’re very fortunate at Bundoora to benefit from that.
“It’s a huge get for the club, very exciting, one of the biggest coups for the club in a long time to get a player of his calibre.
“He’s going to take on a leadership role at the club as well, mentoring the young boys, which he’s pretty passionate about.
“One of the things I think attracted him to us was we are going to be quite a young team this year and being able to pass on his experience.”
Lloyd played mainly as a forward at AFL level but showed his ability as a midfielder in Richmond’s VFL side.
He was awarded the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in the Tigers’ 2017 VFL grand final loss to Port Melbourne – the first player to receive the honour from a losing team – after gathering 35 disposals, 10 tackles, nine clearances and a goal.
Lloyd will slot into a midfield-forward role for Bundoora with Ryan looking forward to putting his versatility to good use.
“He definitely won’t be pigeon-holed as a forward at Bundoora,” he said.
“In the discussions we’ve had he’s pretty keen to, one play wherever the club needs him, but also keen to play mid-forward.
“It’s going to be exciting to see Sam roll through the midfield then go deep forward and have a rest and hopefully kick a few goals.
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“With Sam, Hamish Shepheard and Tylar Young, those three guys are pretty imposing up front and hopefully allows us to kick a winning score most weeks.”
It’s another big-name signing for the league after North Heidelberg secured ex-North Melbourne big man Majak Daw.
Montmorency has retaining 2020 signing Ben Kennedy and reigning Rosbrook Medallist Tom Bell has re-signed with Greensborough.
GWS and Collingwood champion Heath Shaw is also yet to announce his intentions for 2021 and has been linked to NFL clubs.
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