Jake Lloyd has credited confidence in his own ability and the guidance of a veteran Swan as key reasons for his career best season.
The 24-year-old has averaged a career-high 28 disposals from his 22 matches during the home and away season and ranks 10th in disposals across the competition.
It was a breakthrough 2017 season for Lloyd plying his trade across the half back line which was recognised with a runner up finish in the Bob Skilton Medal.
Building on that solid form the crafty half back has taken his game to another level this season playing a key role as the distributor for the Swans coming out of the backline.
“I am another year older, a little bit wiser and I know the game a little bit better I suppose,” Lloyd said.
“I take a lot of confidence out of what I did last year because I know my ability and I know I belong out there on the field so that gives me a lot of confidence when I run out on the field each week.
“When you are playing with confidence good things can happen.”
Lloyd has praised the influence of veteran Swan Jarrad McVeigh on his improvement over the last couple of seasons.
“Jarrad McVeigh has been an absolute great of the game and he has nailed that position across half back for his whole career,” he said.
“To be playing alongside him and learning from him each week has certainly helped my game.”
A loss to Gold Coast in Round 18 seems to have been the catalyst for a turnaround in form heading into the ninth consecutive finals campaign.
“A lot of people had probably written us off from even making finals after that,” Lloyd said.
“The belief within the group still remained, we try not to listen to the outside world too much.
“The belief within the group, the will to win and to get ourselves into this position has been huge so we take a lot of confidence out of that.
“It is what we play footy for to be honest.
“Get the regular season out of the way and to take some pretty good form late in the year into finals is what it is all about.”
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