The 20-year-old, who was selected by the Sydney Swans with pick 15 in the 2013 AFL Rookie Draft, was elevated from the rookie list on Thursday afternoon moments after being told by senior coach John Longmire that he would be suiting up for the Swans for the first time this Easter Saturday.
Three changes for Fremantle clash
Speaking to SwansTV ahead of his AFL debut, Lloyd said the news he would be playing his first senior game was still sinking in.
“I’m a little shocked still at the moment, but I’m super excited about the weekend and I can’t wait to get out there,” Lloyd told SwansTV.
“I had a call from ‘Horse’ yesterday saying I was half a chance and he pulled me off the track during training and into the race and told me I’d be playing.
“It was a pretty special moment.”
Lloyd has been one of the standout performers for the Swans reserves over the last 12 months, and has averaged 32 disposals across the opening three matches of the NEAFL season.
Lloyd, who hails from Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera district and played for North Ballarat in the Under 18s, was also named in the 2013 NEAFL Eastern Conference Team of the Year and has developed into an ultra-consistent performer for the Swans reserves.
After a strong pre-season this year, Lloyd said he had worked hard to follow his coaches’ advice in the hope of earning a senior opportunity.
Jake Lloyd profile
“The coaches have been pretty positive with me and I had a good pre-season,” he said.
“Obviously last year I was a rookie-listed player and I didn’t get the full pre-season under my belt.
“This year, having a full pre-season, I’ve just tried to do the things the coaches tell me to do like running hard and to use my speed and skills and to just do all the right things.
“Now my opportunity has come, I need to grab it with both hands.”
Lloyd said he expected his parents would make the trip– which includes a 3.5 hour drive down to Melbourne from Horsham before boarding a flight to the Harbour City – to see him play his first match for the Swans.
“I spoke to mum and dad earlier and they’ll come up and maybe a few mates as well,” he said.
“My parents’ reaction was similar to mine in that they were a bit shocked!
“They’ve put in a lot of hard work over the years so it’s just as big of a reward for them as it is for me.”
Jake Lloyd chats to Luke Parker at Swans training this morning
