Western Bulldogs recruit Sam Lloyd enjoying life at the kennel after off-season stomach illness
Sam Lloyd was anxious about life at a new AFL club but that’s not what had his stomach churning in the off-season. The new Bulldog on his new club, teammates and why he won’t be going back to Peru in a hurry.
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Sam Lloyd is eating up the pre-season. Just don’t ask him to go back to raw fish.
The Western Bulldogs’ recruit was enjoying an off-season holiday trekking Machu Picchu in Peru when his choice of food saw things take a turn for the worse.
Lloyd, who made Swans fans sick with his famous after-the-siren winner for Richmond in 2016, wasn’t in a good way.
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“I got pretty crook over there so I wouldn’t rush back. It was the guts,” Lloyd said.
“I went over with a mate from back home (Deniliquin). It was a really good holiday and I’d recommend the sightseeing to anyone. Just don’t eat the raw fish.
“I had a parasite. So I was just watching Netflix for about five days. But I’m all good now, the docs fixed me up.”
With his stomach now settled, Lloyd has been settling in at the kennel after he was traded by the Tigers in exchange for pick 64.
Lloyd, 28, crosses after 57 games in five seasons at Punt Road.
“If I’m being honest, it was a bit weird. I’ve spent a bit of time at Richmond … made some really close friends and then coming into a new environment as that new kid on the block was like starting school again,” he said.
“But once I got in and met a few of the boys and the coaches it was really good and they’ve made it really easy and fun so far.
“I’ve settled in well. Pre-seasons are pre-seasons - once you start running and hitting the track it’s all about rest and recovery.”
It appears the ideal move - out-of-favour goalkicker joins side desperate for more avenues to goal - and Lloyd hopes the reality matches the theory.
“In talks with ‘Bevo’ (coach Luke Beveridge) that’s the plan, to play forward-mid and try and get a few games in early and be that avenue to goal,” he said.
“But I’ll do whatever they say.”
Lloyd’s been struck by the running power of Lachie Hunter and the competitiveness of Jackson Trengove and said he saw enormous upside in Tim English and the club’s glut of younger players.
Also of importance to Lloyd is the fact that a change of AFL clubs hasn’t necessitated a change in lawn bowls clubs.
The forward this year played competitively at the Brunswick Bowling Club, near his home, with former teammates Jacob Townsend, Toby Nankervis and Anthony Miles.
“I’m still over in the Brunswick area. I’ve got to sign up my membership actually, I’ve let it lapse,” he said.
“I might go and do that this afternoon and roll a few down.”
Bulldogs fans will be hoping he can kick a few goals as well.
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