Deniliquin's Sam Lloyd shines for VFL in state match.
Former Deniliquin Rams footballer Sam Lloyd kicked four goals for the VFL in its state match against the WAFL on Saturday.By Shaun Connor
Pastoral Times
MAY 15, 2013 Wearing the famous ‘Big V’ for the first time in his career, ex-Deniliquin Rams footballer Sam Lloyd was a standout player in the VFL’s grudge match against the WAFL on Saturday.
The 23 year-old, who plays for the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL, booted four goals and was named one of Victoria’s best players in the interstate game, arguably the highest level of football underneath the AFL.
Despite his team losing by three goals, Lloyd said the match, which was played at Northam in Western Australia, was the pinnacle of his short career so far.
‘‘It was definitely a highlight of my career, I loved it,’’ the two-time Deni Rams best and fairest said.
‘‘The standard was pretty similar to the VFL but the ball moved a bit quicker.
‘‘We only had a week to prepare so there wasn’t any structures or anything.’’
The VFL led by as much as 31 points midway through the third quarter, but was unable to stop the WAFL’s run and forward pressure in the final term.
It was the first time the Black Swans have beaten Victoria since 1991.
‘‘To be honest I think they just wanted it a bit more. They hadn’t won it in 22 years,’’ Lloyd said.
‘‘We were up by five goals at one point so that was a bit disappointing.’’
Lloyd, who kicked 110 goals for the Rams in 2010, started in the forward pocket and rotated off half forward.
With the WAFL missing five shots in a row early on, the VFL had shot out to a 22-point lead by quarter time.
The Victorians maintained their momentum in the second term, in which Lloyd nailed two goals to give his side a 25-point buffer at the long break.
The second half was a different story for the VFL, which kicked two of the first three goals to lead by 31 points.
After that, the Black Swans turned the game on its head, booting the next four goals to get within six points.
A late goal saw Victoria still in the lead by 14 points at three-quarter time, with Lloyd adding another two majors in the third term.
The WAFL kicked five goals to none in the last quarter, though, to run out 17.16 (118) to 15.11 (101) winners.
Chris Cain was named the Frank Johnson medallist for the VFL with 32 disposals, while other better players were backmen Marcus Marigliani and Evan Panozza, Lloyd up forward and Myles Sewell, who collected 27 disposals.
Having impressed on the big stage, Lloyd is tipped to be on the AFL draft horizon later this year.
Essendon has been an admirer of Frankston talent in recent times with Michael Hibberd, Mark Baguley and Dylan Van Unen currently at the club.
‘‘He’s a small forward but he plays fairly tall so he can take a good grab and he’s good on the ground,’’ Frankston coach Simon Goosey, who is also a part-time scout for Essendon, said of Lloyd.
‘‘He’s coming along really well.’’
Lloyd, who played in the Rams’ 2011 flag, has been named in the Dolphins’ best in three out of five games. He has kicked 11 goals, including a bag of four against North Ballarat, and is averaging 15 possessions and seven marks per game.
http://www.mmg.com.au/local-sport/deniliquin/deniliquin-s-sam-lloyd-shines-for-vfl-in-state-match-1.49468
