The GIANTS have added further experience to their playing list in Friday’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
The club picked up former GIANT Sam Reid (pick 8) and amateur footballer Daniel Lloyd (pick 26) as the club’s playing list for 2016 was finalised.
The GIANTS selected forward Daniel Lloyd from the Central Coast of NSW who has been training with the club since pre-season began three weeks ago.
He was spotted by GIANTS Assistant Coach Mark McVeigh playing for the Killarney Vale Bombers in the Black Diamond Football League and invited to train at the club.
A former scholarship holder with the Western Bulldogs, the 23-year-old is a powerful mid-sized forward who stands at 186cm and 88kg.
He kicked nine goals in a semi-final for Killarney Vale this season and also won their 2015 Best and Fairest award.
Lloyd works as a landscape gardener and was given leave by his employer to pursue his AFL dream.
Lloyd said he’s still coming to terms with what has happened over recent weeks.
“I’m very excited to have a home here at the GIANTS now and I’m looking forward to the year ahead," he said.
“As a 23-year old you don’t really think another opportunity will come up so I’m so glad this has come to me and I’m very happy.
“This is a life-changing moment and it is a great opportunity for my family and I."
The GIANTS also selected Sam Reid, who has working as a Development Coach at the club and captaining the GIANTS’ NEAFL side for the past two years.
He was previously on the club’s senior list from 2012-2013 and played 14 games for the GIANTS following 10 games at the Western Bulldogs.
A 187cm and 86kg midfielder, Reid has predominately been playing as a forward for the UWS GIANTS and kicked 30 goals in 17 games last season.
The 26-year old said he was thrilled to be given another opportunity.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster with a few injuries here and there along with being in and out of the team all the time,” Reid said.
“I’ve really enjoyed being the development coach because it was less stressful and I wasn’t always worried about getting a kick.
“My body was in really good nick all year and I really enjoyed my footy not having that pressure attached.
“I want to throw the kitchen sink at playing this year to see how we go.”
The GIANTS’ playing list for 2016 is now complete with the club also securing four PM Capital GIANTS Academy graduates in the NAB AFL Draft in Adelaide.
The GIANTS selected Leeton’s Jacob Hopper (pick 7), Collingullie’s Matt Kennedy (pick 13), Eastlake’s Harry Himmelberg (pick 16) and Narrandera’s Matt Flynn.
General Manager Football Graeme Allan welcomed Reid and Lloyd to the list.
“Sam and Daniel both deserve their opportunities on the rookie list and have shown great perseverance in their careers so far," he said.
“They add some experience and maturity and compliment the make up of our list for the 2016 season.
"I’d also like to congratulate Jock Cornell and Nick Coughlan who have come through the PM Capital GIANTS Academy and were rookie listed by Geelong and St Kilda.
“This demonstrates the important role the academies are playing in providing a clear pathway to the elite level for these players and how the talent pool is being broadened for the entire competition.”
