Two of Australia’s premier sportsmen Matthew Lloyd and Adam Gilchrist came together today at Windy Hill thanks to Puma.

Lloyd had the privilege of presenting Gilchrist with his collection of playing gear for the Boxing Day Test starting in Melbourne on Tuesday.

A huge cricket fan, the Essendon skipper is envious it isn’t himself playing in the Ashes, but Lloyd has his own dream in sight.

The champion full forward is itching for round one so he can get back on the playing field after almost 12 months of injury.

And while he has been back in full training for a few months and looking in the best shape of his career, Lloyd’s 2007 pre-season has taken a minor detour with the birth of his first child Jaeda last Friday.

""It's only new to me she's not even a week old so I'm still learning the ropes,"" Lloyd explained at a press conference today.

""You can't relate it (fatherhood) to anything else in life, I love what I do but there's nothing like coming home to your family and a happy family keeps you happy on the sporting field.""

And the first time dad is realises it will be a challenge juggling fatherhood and his football commitments, but it is something he is looking forward to.

""I've said that I won't get up during the night the night before a match (to) make sure I get out on the park and perform,"" he said.

With the frustration of sitting on the sidelines last season, Lloyd is motivated to have a big season as a leader both on and off the field next season.

After watching his team struggle through 2006, Lloyd believes he is now more determined than ever to step up and make an impact.

""This time last year we probably thought we were in for a big year and standing here we won three-and-half games so we've actually got to put it out on the park,"" he said.

""Finishing 15th was our worst year since 1933 and I was captain of that team so that hurt my own pride and my team's.""

""We really want to improve and we feel we've got the list to do that but we're not making any big statements, we've got a lot of work and improvement to do and I'm sure we'll do it.""

A key factor in turning the Bombers fortunes around will be the addition of former Brisbane Lions premiership player Mal Michael to the Essendon defence who will work in tandem with club champion Dustin Fletcher.

""We feel we've got the best two full-backs of the past decade in our team,"" he said.

""When you finish fifteenth you get to draft four or five of the best kids in the country so we're excited but still feel we've got a fair way to go to match it with Sydney and West Coast.""