Daniel Lloyd is one step closer to making his AFL debut after being elevated to the Greater Western Sydney Giants primary player list.
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The announcement was made on Thursday after Giants small forward Jordan Pickett (foot) was placed on a long-term injury list.
Pickett will be replaced by 24-year-old Lloyd, who was pick 26 of last year’s rookie draft after impressing Greater Western Sydney selectors with his Black Diamond AFL form for Central Coast outfit the Killarney Vale Bombers.
Giants assistant coach Mark McVeigh originally spotted Lloyd in 2015 and invited the 186 centimetre and 88 kilogram forward to pre-season training before earning a spot on the roster.
Lloyd, a former Western Bulldogs scholarship holder, has since overcome injury troubles to kick 11 goals in seven appearances for the Giants reserve grade side in the second-tier NEAFL competition.
His stand out performance this year yielded three goals, 14 tackles and 29 disposals despite losing the round nine encounter to Aspey.
It has been enough for Greater Western Sydney officials to give Lloyd the green light and join the main squad vying for a position in the final 22.
The Giants, following a 42-point demolition of cross-city rivals the Sydney Swans, play Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday (4.40pm).
Greater Western Sydney, in sixth spot on the overall standings, are favourites to beat the struggling Bombers but teams have not yet been named. Midway through the season they are also well placed to make their maiden finals series.
