Sam Lloyd can scarcely believe his good fortune . . .

The talented, mature-age football journeyman, who was taken by Richmond with its third pick (No. 66 overall) in the 2013 AFL National Draft, has been named in the Tigers’ squad for tonight’s (Friday, February 14) pre-season challenge match against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

“It is a great opportunity.  It’s been a long pre-season, but short at the same time.  I was just absolutely rapt to get down there and hit the track,” Lloyd said on RSN.

“I’m very lucky to be at the Tigers . . . it’s just a thrill.

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“The Tigers have a really good culture and they’ve made it really easy for me to come in.

“All of the older guys are really good.

“Jack (Riewoldt), being a forward line player as well, I’m getting along with him really well.

“He’s been a really good teacher for me.”

Lloyd, 23, has been a reliable goalkicker at several clubs over the past few years, including Deniliquin, Bendigo, Mt Eliza and Frankston.

While playing for Frankston last year, Lloyd received the call-up to represent a combined VFL side against a combined WAFL team.

He kicked four goals in an impressive display up forward, which convinced him he was capable of taking his football to an even higher level.

“It (playing AFL football) was always a dream, but I didn’t think I was ever good enough,” Lloyd said.

“Then, when I kept going up and up a level in football – especially last year playing the VFL state game –  I thought, hang on, I’m a chance here, I can make it.

“I think I developed the hope a bit later than most . . .”

Lloyd, who has earned a reputation throughout his playing career for being an excellent mark, possessing football ‘smarts’ and goalscoring power, has worked hard on boosting his fitness levels throughout the pre-season at Richmond.

And, he’s hopeful that may eventually lead to a move into the midfield.

“I’ve been training as a forward down at the Tigers, but I played a lot of midfield at lower levels.  I want to develop my fitness further in coming years and maybe push up to a midfield position, or even a running half-forward,” Lloyd said.

The other area of his game that he’s been focusing on during the pre-season, has been applying defensive pressure in the forward half.

“I knew coming in that I had to work on my defensive pressure.  I think it’s improved, but I still have a bit of work to go there,” he said.

“It’s definitely a massive part of your game.  If you want to go further, you have to have both attributes of kicking goals and defensive pressure.

“I certainly won’t get a game if I don’t have my defensive pressure up.  That’s for sure.”