""The first half was disappointing and if you play football like that you are not going to win a final. We have shown on our day what we can do and it is a matter of producing that against quality opposition from here on in,"" Lloyd said.
""We had a lot of young players in the side today. If you put a Dean Rioli, Jason Johnson and perhaps a Joe Misiti back in the side it gives you some experience and some cool heads when the heat is on and that might be the case next week.""
The Essendon selectors will have some very difficult calls to make this weekend both in terms of who comes into the side and who is left out. Lloyd says that while these decisions are hard and some players will be disappointed, it is a position the club wants to be in.
""It is good to have some difficult decision to make at this time of year because it means you don’t have too many injury concerns. You would prefer that than having to put players in simply because you have no other choice,"" Lloyd said.
""It is a big decision when it comes to Matthew Allan because he has missed a bit of football and disappointingly, our VFL side is no longer in the finals. If he didn’t play against Melbourne it would be even harder to bring him in the following week so it will be interesting to see what they do.""
Lloyd said the coaches and players had spoken during the week about the retirements of Sean Wellman and Joe Misiti. He said the players were focussed yesterday on ensuring both players were given the opportunity to go out playing finals’ football.
""It was great to have Sean Wellman back. You don’t want to have too many young kids on the ground at the one time. It will be great for of these young players to experience a final but you have to find the right balance and I’m sure Sheeds and the match committee will do that,"" he said.
""We spoke about giving those guys the opportunity to play more finals football and we have done that for Sean. And you don’t know what might happen with Joe’s knee – he might get another chance to play finals’ football as well if we keep winning.
""I was surprised Sean decided to retire. He told me during the mid-season break he was thinking about it. I have loved playing football with both those blokes and they will leave a big hole on and off the ground.""
Lloyd says he fully expects Melbourne captain and full forward David Neitz to play this weekend. Neitz missed last weekend’s match against the West Coast Eagles with a calf injury.
""I don’t know where Neitz is at but I would be surprised if he didn’t play. It is an Elimination Final and I think he will be there. I think our defences are pretty even. The midfield will be important and if we can nullify the likes of a Cameron Bruce and Brad Green we will have taken a step in the right direction,"" Lloyd said.
""It is great to be playing at the MCG in a final on a Saturday afternoon – that is what it is all about. This is my 10th season and it will be the ninth that we have played finals football so I have been pretty spoiled. I think this season’s finals are quite open so we will be keen to play well this weekend.""
