TonyK
CibbuanoLloyd calls it quits
September 23rd 2009 01:09
ESSENDON skipper Matthew Lloyd has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Lloyd played 270 matches and kicked 926 goals to be the Bombers' leading goal-kicker and the seventh highest in the history of the game.
The 32-year-old won three Coleman medals, was a member of the all-conquering 2000 Essendon premiership side and was a five-time All Australian.
The champion full-forward's last game was the controversial round 22 win over Hawthorn after which he received a four-game suspension for a heavy hit on Hawks midfielder Brad Sewell.
Lloyd said the time was right to retire.
“I have always been of the belief that I would rather go a year too early than a year too late and I’ve decided that now is the right time," Lloyd said.
“For me it is a celebration of the career that I have been able to have at this wonderful club over 15 seasons - it is not something that I am commiserating."
"I’ve probably had 99 percent of people saying to play on but everything kept coming back to me feeling like this was my time from a physical and mental point of view.
There had been media speculation that Lloyd was unhappy with coach Matthew Knights' vision of his future role.
But Lloyd dismissed suggestions that he didn't want to move into a role further away from the goal square to allow the club's young key forwards to develop and said no 'harsh words' had been exchanged between him and Knights.
"I feel that no individual is bigger than the club and what needs to be done," he said.
"At no stage did we ever have any harsh words about the role I was going to be playing."
Lloyd also said that he was proud to have finished his career as a one-club player.
“I always just wanted to play for the Essendon Football Club and have been proud of being a one-club player," said Lloyd.
“This club has given me more than I have given it. I will never forget the times I have had here and how much I love this club.
“I will be forever indebted to the Essendon Football Club and all that it has given me. I walk taller and I am a proud man just because I can say I am a part of the Essendon Football Club.
Lloyd played 270 matches and kicked 926 goals to be the Bombers' leading goal-kicker and the seventh highest in the history of the game.
The 32-year-old won three Coleman medals, was a member of the all-conquering 2000 Essendon premiership side and was a five-time All Australian.
The champion full-forward's last game was the controversial round 22 win over Hawthorn after which he received a four-game suspension for a heavy hit on Hawks midfielder Brad Sewell.
Lloyd said the time was right to retire.
“I have always been of the belief that I would rather go a year too early than a year too late and I’ve decided that now is the right time," Lloyd said.
“For me it is a celebration of the career that I have been able to have at this wonderful club over 15 seasons - it is not something that I am commiserating."
"I’ve probably had 99 percent of people saying to play on but everything kept coming back to me feeling like this was my time from a physical and mental point of view.
There had been media speculation that Lloyd was unhappy with coach Matthew Knights' vision of his future role.
But Lloyd dismissed suggestions that he didn't want to move into a role further away from the goal square to allow the club's young key forwards to develop and said no 'harsh words' had been exchanged between him and Knights.
"I feel that no individual is bigger than the club and what needs to be done," he said.
"At no stage did we ever have any harsh words about the role I was going to be playing."
Lloyd also said that he was proud to have finished his career as a one-club player.
“This club has given me more than I have given it. I will never forget the times I have had here and how much I love this club.
“I will be forever indebted to the Essendon Football Club and all that it has given me. I walk taller and I am a proud man just because I can say I am a part of the Essendon Football Club.
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