In a clash of mate-against-mate, the senior forward line took on the senior back line, while the midfield was a mix of permanent members of the team and some of the rising stars of the future.
Lloyd played on Dustin Fletcher for the first 50 minutes. Not only did he kick goals, but he also created other opportunities for his team mates in another impressive display from the skipper.
After a frustrating build up to last year's season, this pre-season has been perfect for Lloyd who is now ready for real action to start.
While Lloyd is flying, Jason Johnson is no certainty for Round 1. Still recovering from a toe injury, Johnson played today, but didn't have a significant impact on the game.
After a limited pre-season, coach Kevin Sheedy isn't entirely certain Johnson will be ready in time for Sydney.
""Jason struggled a little bit today, I thought. He might have to play in the VFL. I'm not sure yet,"" Sheedy explained after today’s game.
While Johnson was quiet, the Essendon coaching staff would have been impressed with the performances of two other senior players coming back from injury.
Dean Rioli and Dean Solomon played the entire match with both players looking sharp. Rioli now looks a chance for Round 1, as he eased his way into the game, gathering plenty of possessions. Solomon played in defence and looks on track for the Sydney game despite missing a lot of work during the summer because of his knee problems.
While at times, the 80-minute hit-out was scrappy, Sheedy would have been impressed by some of the players on the edge of senior selection with only eight days until the opening round clash.
""I'd say that we won't be far away from our best 22, but depending on what young guys make it into the side or come into the side in the first month.""
""I don't think you really get an idea of your best 22, sometime until about round eight, when you're starting to work out who's really played well in the firsts, in the VFL and also who's coming through pretty quick.""
New recruit Richard Cole was impressive across half back, setting up play with his high skill level and hard running. Jason Winderlich and Joel Reynolds also played well in the midfield, earning plenty of the ball. Courtenay Dempsey's rise over the pre-season continues. The first-year player was again eye-catching with his speed and skills.
Fans at the game also saw the best of another first year player today, with Jay Neagle kicking five goals from full forward. He led hard and marked strongly on a number of occasions and was then able to convert almost all of his opportunities.
""Young Neagle jumped out of the ground and kicked five goals and that's a pretty good effort by Jay,"" Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy explained after this morning’s game.
""He looked pretty good today, but he won't be in round one, but he's a pretty young person that's come into the club and it's his first pre-season and not many guys kick five in a practice match.""
Most importantly, the team got through the match without any serious injuries. Brent Stanton left the ground in the second quarter as a precaution with what appeared to be a leg injury, while Henry Slattery got a knock to his ankle is ""50/50"" for round one.
Scott Lucas was the only big name not to play today. He was rested but is a certain starter against the Swans.
Meanwhile, Australia will play a first-ever International Rules Test in Galway in Ireland this year, with the 2006 International Rules Series to be played over the weekends of October 28/29 (Galway) and November 4/5 (Croke Park, Dublin).
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) last night announced this year's series -- the fifth to be played in Ireland since these matches were resumed in 1998 -- would take a match to the west of Ireland for the first time, with the opening test to be played at Pearse Stadium in Galway.
The GAA is also in the process of installing lights at Croke Park for night matches and will play a Test under lights in Ireland for the first time on the night of Saturday November 4 if the work is completed by the time the Australian tour party arrives.
AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said the Australian touring party expected a stern assignment in its bid to retain the Cormac McAnallen trophy.
""Kevin Sheedy did an outstanding job last year in gathering a quick and skilful party to win the series and our coaching panel is fully aware that Ireland has been severely stung by last year's results,"" Mr Anderson said.
""Ireland will be a force on its home soil and it will be a great challenge for our players to go to a new venue, in Galway, to open the series, before returning to Croke Park for a first-ever match there under lights.""
