Daniel Lloyd set to seize Giants opportunity

He took one when GWS showed up to watch him play park football, and now he has another opportunity to repay the faith and build on his record of 21 senior games.

Lloyd will look to back up a three-goal effort when he lines up for the Giants in their pre-season clash with the Adelaide Crows at Manuka Oval on Friday night.

The Giants will name their side for their final pre-season hitout on Thursday night with Toby Greene, Josh Kelly and Adam Tomlinson all in the frame for selection.

Among a star-studded list is a former carpenter desperate to mount a push for more opportunities with Zac Langdon sidelined due to an ankle injury in the opening weeks of the season.

"I’m lucky, I’ve had a full pre-season and haven’t missed a beat. Physically I have put myself in the best condition I can be in, so I’m thereabouts and ready to have a crack at this season," Lloyd said.

"When you know you’re fit and healthy, and you know there is nothing holding you back physically, it gives you confidence. It’s one less thing you need to worry about when you’re out on the field so it’s definitely a bonus."

Lloyd was plying his trade on job sites and lacing up the boots for the Killarney Vale Bombers every weekend in the Black Diamond Football League when his life changed forever.

The former Western Bulldogs scholarship holder was spotted by Mark McVeigh a handful of times on his way to claiming Killarney Vale's best and fairest award in 2015.

Every time he left McVeigh thinking there was something about the tattooed carpenter. So much so that lured Leon Cameron to watch him go around in a semi-final.

A lazy nine goals later, Lloyd was no longer just a small source of intrigue.

The Giants nabbed him with pick 26 in the 2016 rookie draft and his dream of a life at the elite level was finally realised a year later in the midst of the club's heavy injury toll.

But even Lloyd admits he was never going to hop straight into the driver's seat of what was becoming known as football's Ferrari.

"It took me 12 months to get going. My first year was a NEAFL year, up and down," Lloyd said.

"The next year I took a few steps forward and last year was the big one. I played every game up until round 12 and unfortunately hurt my knee, which was disappointing.

"Over the three years I’ve been here I have definitely taken some big steps and I am definitely still looking to improve. I’ve gained a lot of positives in my game over this pre-season and I’m ready to put it into place this season."

Lloyd has had a strong presence for the GWS reserves outfit to keep himself within reach of a senior selection heading into round one.

His former NEAFL teammates? They won't be far away when Lloyd is looking to press his claims, with the Giants reserves set to meet the Canberra Demons in a pre-season match at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Thursday night.

AFL PRE-SEASON

Friday: GWS Giants v Adelaide Crows at Manuka Oval, 7.10pm. Tickets from Ticketek.