I could've played on: Matthew Lloyd

[Underdog]

Hawks fans are not entitled to shit.

If you enjoy the game of AFL then you will remember him as a 926 goal champion. One of the greatest of all time.

You don't think everyone can recognise he was a very good player?

Sure they can, yet he had aspects of his game many found questionable - this will affect his legacy.

He was also pushed often into media outlets where people saw the real Lloyd - this will affect his legacy.

People say Carey was one of the greatest ever, yet he was still an arrogant shithead. And that simple fact will distort people's views of him.

Whether you think that's right or wrong is irrelevant - it's human nature.

Footy is an emotional game - in fact Bigfooty thrives on emotion - the AFL as a corporation want it that way, yet you want people to form sterile opinions?

 

[rainman06]

You don't think everyone can recognise he was a very good player?

Sure they can, yet he had aspects of his game many found questionable - this will affect his legacy.

He was also pushed often into media outlets where people saw the real Lloyd - this will affect his legacy.

People say Carey was one of the greatest ever, yet he was still an arrogant shithead. And that simple fact will distort people's views of him.

Whether you think that's right or wrong is irrelevant - it's human nature.

Footy is an emotional game - in fact Bigfooty thrives on emotion - the AFL as a corporation want it that way, yet you want people to form sterile opinions?

Out of interest, what aspects of his game will they find questionable? How many of his 926 goals he kicked to the left of screen? I cant think of anything else.

I know full well that Wayne Carey is a w***er - I always did - But I dont think about that when I think about how great a footballer he was.

Just like how Hawthorn supporters and the other jealous ones will always look beyond their obsessions to appreciate Matthew Lloyd because he was one of the greatest players of all time - although they will be unlikely to admit it.

 

[Underdog]

Out of interest, what aspects of his game will they find questionable? How many of his 926 goals he kicked to the left of screen? I cant think of anything else.

His flawed jumping style that resulted in a substantial amount of free kicks to soft push in the back calls is the main one.

I know full well that Wayne Carey is a w***er - I always did - But I dont think about that when I think about how great a footballer he was.

And some people simply can't at times. Footy is an emotional game. I certainly can't look at Chris Judd in he same light...

I think Lloyd is a champion and I think you're being a little precious

 

[rainman06]

His flawed jumping style that resulted in a substantial amount of free kicks to soft push in the back calls is the main one.

Ive never heard this one before... have you got any statistics to support the contention that Matthew Lloyd received any more free kicks than the other top forwards of his era?

Or was this just something you heard somewhere and thought it sounded cool?

 

[Underdog]

Ive never heard this one before... have you got any statistics to support the contention that Matthew Lloyd received any more free kicks than the other top forwards of his era?

Statistics on how many free kicks a player does or doesn't receive is absolutely irrelevant. What is relevant is the amount that were/weren't there and the severity of such decisions. You must have been living under a rock for the past 15 years to not know that when Lloyd jumped in the air to take a grab on the lead he tucked he feet up behind his knees. The result of this was that when he went to land, he was often unbalanced and logically fell forward at the slightest hint of body pressure. He received many free kicks on this basis. Other key forwards rarely got this same treatment as their jump wasn't flawed and didn't make the contest look like they were being pushed in the back.

He was undoubtedly a very good player but this frustrated MANY fans.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Was his own undoing unfortunately, in the later years umpires caught on it and missed many frees that were actually there based on reputation.

 

[rainman06]

Statistics on how many free kicks a player does or doesn't receive is absolutely irrelevant. What is relevant is the amount that were/weren't there and the severity of such decisions. You must have been living under a rock for the past 15 years to not know that when Lloyd jumped in the air to take a grab on the lead he tucked he feet up behind his knees. The result of this was that when he went to land, he was often unbalanced and logically fell forward at the slightest hint of body pressure. He received many free kicks on this basis. Other key forwards rarely got this same treatment as their jump wasn't flawed and didn't make the contest look like they were being pushed in the back.

He was undoubtedly a very good player but this frustrated MANY fans.

But surely if this were true, given that over 15 seaons he would receive his fair share of random high/in the back/holding free kicks and the like (just like everyone else), his free-kicks FOR count would be discernibly higher than the other forwards of his era?

He played 270 games over 15 seasons. If your theory is true then there should be statistics that support them. Present them.

 

[Underdog]

But surely if this were true, given that over 15 seaons he would receive his fair share of random high/in the back/holding free kicks and the like (just like everyone else), his free-kicks FOR count would be discernibly higher than the other forwards of his era?

Why should it be? There isn't a set amount of free kicks one should or shouldn't receive. Players have various playing styles and temperaments.

He played 270 games over 15 seasons. If your theory is true then there should be statistics that support them. Present them.

Statistics lie. I make opinions by watching the game, not reading a newspaper.

If you want to be pedantic, go ahead but I'm not going to indulge you. The fact an Essendon supporter just above agreed shows that it is very much an issue that was apparent to footy fans.

 

[Ron The Bear]

His flawed jumping style that resulted in a substantial amount of free kicks to soft push in the back calls is the main one.

Some would have you believe Lloyd never kicked a goal other than from a free kick. Like a lot of things in football, the incidence of his 'diving' was exaggerated. Reprehensible as it is to most footy fans - particularly in front of goal - opposition supporters began looking for it, and when it inevitably came, it was so frustrating that you couldn't help but go ballistic.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Out of interest, what aspects of his game will they find questionable? How many of his 926 goals he kicked to the left of screen? I cant think of anything else.

I know full well that Wayne Carey is a w***er - I always did - But I dont think about that when I think about how great a footballer he was.

Just like how Hawthorn supporters and the other jealous ones will always look beyond their obsessions to appreciate Matthew Lloyd because he was one of the greatest players of all time - although they will be unlikely to admit it.

What aspects of his game were questionable? You're kidding right? How about the many goals he milked from the umpires by diving ... free kicks that no other forward in the competition could get, but Lloyd could, and in spades. We won't get into his acts of sniping because we know how it upsets the poor little Essendon fans.

As for calling Hawthorn fans jealous, once again you are kidding yourself. Why would any club who has had Peter Hudson and Jason Dunstall be the slightest bit jealous of Lloyd? He's not close to being in their class. And anyway, why is it so important to you that Hawthorn supporters sing his praises? I couldn't give a stuff what Essendon (or supporters of other clubs) think of Hawthorn players. Grow up mate.

 

[getout]

I find it amusing that I was shouted down for putting forward the 'dirt' on Lloyd being shoved a few weeks ago, and the subsequent recruitment of Williams (who Welsh and Mcphee obviously weren't happy with). I was told by every Bomber that posted that I was wrong, that I was trolling, that Lloyd had decided to retire himself, and that there was no bad blood between he and knights.

How wrong can you be on this subject Bomber fans? It's time to wake up.

Back your club or back your ex-captian, but it's clear to see that the split wasn't as amicable as you all thought.

 

[stellation]

Hmmmm... watching him last season I certainly think that I could've played on Matthew Lloyd.

Sorry if that dad joke's been taken already in this thread.

 

[stander]

How wrong can you be on this subject Bomber fans? It's time to wake up.

Back your club or back your ex-captian, but it's clear to see that the split wasn't as amicable as you all thought.

Lots of misconstrued fallout propagated by non Dons.

 

[rainman06]

What aspects of his game were questionable? You're kidding right? How about the many goals he milked from the umpires by diving ... free kicks that no other forward in the competition could get, but Lloyd could, and in spades.

You saying it doesnt make it true. This debate would go on forever but the facts are that this is a myth created by jealous ''supporters'' such as yourself.

We won't get into his acts of sniping because we know how it upsets the poor little Essendon fans.

We wont get into that because you know it isnt true and it is pathetic. Lloyd is 100 times more of a fair player than say Leigh Matthews. Do you go on about how questionable his greatness is? Didnt think about that one did you.

As for calling Hawthorn fans jealous, once again you are kidding yourself. Why would any club who has had Peter Hudson and Jason Dunstall be the slightest bit jealous of Lloyd? He's not close to being in their class. .

I guess because deep down you know he is well and truly in their class and it hurts you too much to admit it. In fact in Hudsons case, he is well and truly above their class.

But why you care about it so much i haven't the foggiest.

 

[hurls22]

Finished Hawthorn and Brad Sewell.

 

[rainman06]

Some would have you believe Lloyd never kicked a goal other than from a free kick. Like a lot of things in football, the incidence of his 'diving' was exaggerated. Reprehensible as it is to most footy fans - particularly in front of goal - opposition supporters began looking for it, and when it inevitably came, it was so frustrating that you couldn't help but go ballistic.

Truer words have never been spoken. Players play for free kicks so many times in one game of football it is not funny. Its a fact of the game. But if Lloyd ever did it (And he might have done his fair share of it I admit, but no more than many other great players today and throughout history) then some people went into meltdown.

 

[SirJimi05]

How wrong can you be on this subject Bomber fans? It's time to wake up.

Back your club or back your ex-captian, but it's clear to see that the split wasn't as amicable as you all thought.

Can i ask why? Knights wanted Neagle to develop at FF next year (as he has for much of this year) and let Lloyd know that if he plays on it will be accross HF.

Lloyd wanted to play out of the goal square because it is his favourite position but understood the reasoning behind Knights' decision.

Nobody is in the wrong yet we have children like yourself telling us we must choose sides. Grow up.

This is without even going into the fact that injuries and age had caught up with Matty and as a result he couldn't even get a kick.

Why are people making such a big deal out of something that happens all the time. At every club?

 

[SirJimi05]

Matthew Lloyd recieved far less free kicks than he should have throughout his career due to a perception (true or otherwise) that he was a diver.

Move on people.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

The big question will be if Lloyd is willing to move on. He's not long out of the game and hasn't even waited for the next season to start before questioning Knights on a number of matters publically.
When he's got a microphone under his nose in 2010, how's he going to deal with the emotion that he's carrying with him after his 'retirement'?

He'd want to pull his head in pretty quick smart or else he'll just become another bitter ex-footballer, and the esteem that a lot of Essendon followers hold him in will change for the worse.

 

[SirJimi05]

The big question will be if Lloyd is willing to move on. He's not long out of the game and hasn't even waited for the next season to start before questioning Knights on a number of matters publically.
When he's got a microphone under his nose in 2010, how's he going to deal with the emotion that he's carrying with him after his 'retirement'?

He'd want to pull his head in pretty quick smart or else he'll just become another bitter ex-footballer, and the esteem that a lot of Essendon followers hold him in will change for the worse.

They said the same about Dunstall but he found his way back into the good books eventually.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

They said the same about Dunstall but he found his way back into the good books eventually.

I honestly can't remember Dunstall coming out and making similar comments after his retirement, or getting under the skin of Hawthorn fans. Do you have a source?

 

[LFTWNG11]

Whats the big deal about Lloyd? They have Neagle this year to take over. Neagle will fire them into contention... one of the best KPF prospects in the league...

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Whats the big deal about Lloyd? They have Neagle this year to take over. Neagle will fire them into contention... one of the best KPF prospects in the league...

when he's not injured.

 

[The Kipster]

They said the same about Dunstall but he found his way back into the good books eventually.

Geezus, Jimi that is crapola.........as for Lloydy well, we all know he isn't the sharpest tool in the tool shed and I can consequently see him suffering from 'opening trap without thought process syndrome'...ala 08 GF 3rd Quarter, 5mins in... "Geelong are going to run away with the game here"

 

[The Kipster]

Whats the big deal about Lloyd? They have Neagle this year to take over. Neagle will fire them into contention... The Best KPF prospects in the league...

edited for Essendon supporters delusions