Jake Lloyd has his sights set on joining the AFL’s elite players

SWANS defender Jake Lloyd says he’s ready to join the club’s elite after a stunning year which saw him tie with Lance Franklin for second spot in the Bob Skilton Medal.

Jake Lloyd is coming off a brilliant year for the Swans. Picture: Getty Images

SWANS defender Jake Lloyd says he’s ready to join the club’s elite after a stunning year which saw him tie with Lance Franklin for second spot in the Bob Skilton Medal.

Who would bet against the 24-year-old after he almost pulled off a surprise win in the prestigious award. He led the club’s count well into the second half of the season only to be overtaken by eventual winner Luke Parker late in the year.

Proof of Lloyd’s quality came when he managed to shine when the Swans were at their worst, struggling to a 0-6 start. The talented junior basketballer averaged over 30 disposals per game right up till round 10 when he was knocked out in the opening minute against Hawthorn at the SCG.

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Lloyd is a new name to the Swans best and fairest which has been dominated by the likes of Parker, Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh and Dan Hannebery.

“It’s exactly where I want to get to,” Lloyd said.

“We rely on those players to play at that high level week in week out and they do. It’s not just me, there are a lot of younger players who are trying to do the same thing and get to the next level.

Jake Lloyd is coming off a brilliant year for the Swans. Picture: Michael Klein

“Being at such a good successful club those guys have been there for a while now. They’ve put the work in and been consistently good players for a number of years.”

Consistency is something the Lloyd is already familiar with, he’s missed just three games through injury since making his debut in round five, 2014.

“I’ve had my best year and now the challenge is to live up to that again and get even better,” Lloyd said.

“The standard I’ve played at this year is the bare minimum now. The coaches expect that of me now and so do I. It’s these sorts of periods which can define you as a player. I look forward to the prospect of getting better and working as hard as I can.”

With McVeigh almost certainly in his last year as a player Lloyd is the perfect replacement. He’s a cool head with the ball in hand and can win his own averaging almost five interceptions per game.

“I feel like my confidence is at a level now where I don’t have to overthink things I can just go out there and play football,” Lloyd said.

“The coaches gave me the belief that I could back myself and make decisions on the field. In the past I’ve been a lot more about playing my role and working within the structures. I was taking the kick-ins when Jarrad (McVeigh) was out for much of last year and earlier this year, it gave me a chance to play a similar role.”

Lloyd is another rookie listed player who has gone on to excel in red and white.

Originally published as Jake Lloyd has his sights set on joining the AFL’s elite players