Essendon fans felt Matthew Lloyd was not fully recovered when he returned from a broken arm early in the season and that he struggled to regain full confidence from that point on. They thought his best football came late in the year and feel the added responsibility of captaincy will only help to bring the best out in him.

2005
Games: 20
Goals: 59
Kicks: 181
Handballs: 51
Marks: 104

Fan’s ranking: 6.38 / 10

2004
Games: 24
Goals: 96
Kicks: 228
Handballs: 49
Marks: 134

Fan’s ranking: 8.08 / 10

""Lloyd had a tough start to the season. However he started to find form towards the end of the season. The captaincy should make him more of a champion then he already is,"" Cory Drayton.

""A little disappointing by his lofty standards. Pre-season injury didn’t help but will blossom under the added pressure of captain. Still the best forward in the league when right. Lets hope for a decent pre-season,"" Troy Wearne.

""In a season that Matthew spent a good bit either injured or out of form he still managed to play 20 games and provide the type of on and off field support that has seen him rewarded with the captaincy. Will hopefully lead by example and show all the skills we know he is capable of as well as a providing great direction and support for the team,"" Dean Horton.

""A year where Matthew put in 100% off an interrupted preparation. Sheedy used him in manner best for the team and his footy development. In this era of flooding Matthew needs to work on his contested marking. A very important player to Essendon's future. On a public relations / image tilt, Matthew should disregard the umpires totally and play the game,"" Andrew Collard.

""Poor season by this champions past efforts. Never seemed to recover from the broken arm, giving rise to the notion that he came back too early from that injury,"" Tim Bourke.

""Excellent choice as captain, must remain in the goal square and hopefully the midfield can deliver the ball to him lace out,"" Peter Marshall.

""Matthew took a lot longer to recover from his pre-season injury than most expected. He didn't seem to have confidence when marking but never stopped presenting himself. The team missed his scoreboard impact and his second efforts in recovering from marking contests and chasing were not great. The Captaincy and an injury free preparation should see Matthew return to his best which the team needs to progress up the ladder,"" Paul Fisher.

""For a man of such talent this year was of a reasonable disappointment but I am sure he has learned a thing or two. However he will be looking to have a big season next year and will need to lead from the front as captain,"" Dale Clarke.