Former Deniliquin Rams star Sam Lloyd has signed with Victorian Football League club Frankston Dolphins.
The Dolphins have no alignments to any AFL clubs but the 22 year-old, who has since moved to Frankston, is still hopeful of attaining a spot on a senior list.
Playing for Mt Eliza in the Mornington Peninsula Football League last season, Lloyd’s blistering form saw him attract the attention of Essendon-affiliated club, Bendigo Gold.
Late this season the Bombers plucked him from the local competition to see how he would go in VFL ranks, and the gun forward didn’t disappoint.
In three games — against Collingwood, Box Hill and Williamstown — Lloyd booted four goals and averaged 11 kicks, four marks and four handballs.
He then returned to Mt Eliza, where he booted 62 goals and finished just one vote off taking out the league best and fairest. His side also narrowly lost the grand final to Frankston YCW.
There is still a chance Lloyd could be picked up by Essendon, with Frankston coach Simon Goosey also used as a recruiting scout for the Bombers.
Advice from Goosey saw Essendon secure Michael Hibberd and Mark Baguley from Frankston in previous AFL drafts, and they also took the Dolphins’ Dylan Van Unen in this year’s draft.
Having played most of his junior football at Deniliquin, Lloyd has impressed Goosey with the high level of fitness he has brought to pre-season and his obvious versatility.
‘‘He marks like a key position player so if they underestimate him he’ll make them pay. He’ll be that hit-up high forward who can also play as a midfielder,’’ Goosey said.
‘‘At Bendigo he played some really good football and teams were starting to take notice.
‘‘He’s really committed, he’s moved in around the corner from the ground with (teammate) Scotty Simpson and he is ready to make it a big year.’’
Lloyd is a two-time best and fairest with the Deniliquin Rams and was part of the club’s 2011 premiership.
He is also a former Geelong Falcon in the TAC Cup and was a NSW state representative last year.
He kicked 110 goals for Deniliquin as a 20 year-old in the 2010 Murray Football League season.
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