Reigning Sydney Swans Club Champion Jake Lloyd has praised the leadership of the side’s experienced personnel during the opening rounds of season 2019.
Although Sydney fell to a 26-point loss to the Adelaide Crows last Friday night, co-captain Josh Kennedy polled a perfect 10 AFL Coaches’ Association votes for his game-high 36 possessions (16 contested).
Star forward Lance Franklin isn’t a member of the Swans’ eight-man leadership panel, but the 2018 All Australian captain booted a match-high three goals against the Crows, one of which earned a Goal of the Year nomination, in a stand-out performance of his own.
Lloyd said the early-season influence of both Kennedy and Franklin had been enormous.
“They’ve both been huge for us. With such a young team it’s important that our senior guys stand up and show the way,” Lloyd told SwansTV.
“Josh was back to his best on the weekend on the inside of the contest, and he played a role on Rory Sloane as well.
“And with ‘Buddy’ up forward, with such a young forward line around him in guys like Ben Ronke and Will Hayward, it’s important he’s leading the way and talking to those guys directly on the field.”
Sydney named an eight-man leadership group in December to lead the Swans in season 2019, with Kennedy, star midfielder Luke Parker and ever-reliable defender Dane Rampe carrying the mantle as co-captains.
Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith, Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Tom Papley round out the rank, while Franklin (292 games), Heath Grundy (256), Kieren Jack (248), Sam Reid (123), Lloyd (117) and Harry Cunningham (106) all add a wealth of experience to the side.
Lloyd, who last year became the quickest Swan in history to reach 100 senior games, said co-captains Kennedy, Parker and Rampe had shown outstanding direction.
“They’ve been extremely important to us. The reason they got those roles was because they were doing that all last year and right through the pre-season,” Lloyd said.
“Not a lot has changed about the way they’ve gone about things; they’re leaders for a reason and they lead by example. That’s in training, in meetings and in games as well. It’s huge for them, they’re sharing the load and they’re very important to us.”
Lloyd’s first two games of the season have mirrored his glittering 2018 campaign.
The 25-year-old half-back recorded 35 disposals in Sydney’s opening-round clash with the Western Bulldogs, before following up with 34 touches against Adelaide.
Lloyd, whose performance against the Dogs earned him three AFL Coaches’ Association votes, attributed a number of factors to his shining start to the season.
“I put my form down to confidence. It’s about being confident when I’m out there, knowing my role and working hard,” Lloyd said.
“Work rate for me is a big thing and to start the season on a good note is pleasing.”
Lloyd also cast a light on the impressive early-season form of fellow defender Aliir Aliir.
“When the ball has been coming in over the first couple of weeks with inside 50s against us it’s been difficult down there,” Lloyd said.
“But the way he can read the footy, come off his opponent and help in the air is what makes him such a good player, and we need more of that from him going forward. When he’s running off and attacking he’s really adding to our game.”
