The ultimate teammate and competitor, Daniel Lloyd, has announced his retirement from the AFL.
The 31-year-old will retire at the end of the season after eight seasons in the AFL, with a remarkable footballing story to come to an end.
The goal-kicking forward was a NSW scholarship holder with the Western Bulldogs as a teen before giving up the game and returning home to Killarney Vale on the Central Coast to live and work as a carpenter.
Years later, at the age of 23, Lloyd was spotted by former Assistant Coast and fellow Central Coast product, Mark McVeigh, playing for the Killarney Vale Bombers in the Black Diamond League, where he kicked nine goals in a semi-final.
After trialing in front of coach Leon Cameron, the GIANTS rookie-listed Lloyd ahead of the 2016 AFL season.
From there, Lloyd has gone on to play 96 AFL games so far, including the 2019 AFL Grand Final, and has proven himself as a consistent and reliable member of the GIANTS’ best 22.
Lloyd announced his retirement to the group on Thursday morning, joined by wife Crystal and kids Parker and Charli.
“I’ve known for quite some time now and Crystal and I have had many conversations about what it looks like for us going forward and how that impacts us and our family. It’s the right time for us to move into our next chapter,” Lloyd said.
“I’m so grateful for what this club has given me. It’s provided me with an environment to not only become a better footballer but more importantly, to become a better person, a better husband and father.
“It’s given me skills and values that will no doubt help me in the future, relationships that will last a lifetime, and I think what I’m most grateful for are the memories - The ones I’ve created with all of you here and the ones I’ve been able to share with my wife, kids and family.
“I’ll be forever grateful to the GIANTS and the people that have helped me along the way.
“My teammates – I'm going to miss you the most. Whether it’s a grueling pre-season or standing in the race before a game or the feeling in the change room after a win or loss, I’m going to miss it all. The bonds and friendships I’ve made with you all will be what I cherish the most.
“Early in my career I figured out pretty quickly the type of player I wanted to be. It was someone my teammates could trust, a selfless teammate that would always put the team first. I didn’t care if I didn’t get any external credit, all that mattered was that you guys wanted me by your side.
“I’ve had some time to reflect, and I’d like to think when you leave a footy club, you hope that you’ve left some sort of mark. I hope I’ve been a teammate with all those qualities but also a person that added to the fabric and culture of this great club.
“Thank you from Crystal, the kids and I for welcoming us into the GIANTS family. It’s been an unforgettable experience.”
GIANTS General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said Lloyd epitomises what it means to be a GIANT.
“We’re so rapt that ‘Spike’ (Mark McVeigh) believed in you and we’re so rapt that Leon gave you the opportunity because you epitomise what it is to be a GIANTS person,” McCartney said.
“You came in late, eight years, you've just got to work. You've mastered your craft and you’ve played an important role. That role-player year after year, which has seen you play finals, which has seen you play a Grand Final. You’ve got the very best out of yourself.
“You’ve got great family support – the door is always open at this football club for Crystal, Parker, Charli and yourself. You’ve left a really strong, positive mark on everyone. So, thank you for everything you’ve done.”
Lloyd will play out the season and will line up at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday afternoon when the GIANTS take on the Bombers.
