Richmond’s mature-age recruit Sam Lloyd is thriving throughout his first pre-season at the game’s highest level.

The 23-year-old forward, who was taken by the Tigers at pick 60 overall in the 2013 AFL National Draft, has not only quickly adapted to the rigorous training regime, he’s actually enjoyed the summer slog.

“I’ve slimmed down a bit, probably because of the fact of training pretty much every day on a regular basis, either in the gym or out on the track,” Lloyd told ‘Sportsday’.

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“It’s a lot of training, but they manage us quite well.

“And then, being in the environment, it’s also a matter of what kind of food you eat . . .

“I’m living with Daniel Jackson at the moment, who’s very particular with what kind of stuff he eats, so he’s a good one to follow . . .

“It still sounds a bit weird to me calling it (AFL football) a job, but waking up and going to footy training every day, it’s pretty surreal . . . I think that’s the best part about it.”

Lloyd, who has kicked a swag of goals at country, suburban and VFL level in recent years, showed promising signs in Richmond’s two pre-season challenge matches, against Melbourne and Collingwood.

He booted two goals in the 48-point victory over the Magpies at Wangaratta and displayed his trademark football ‘smarts’.