Records kept across regional Victoria’s many organisations show that Lloyd has claimed pole position atop the country goal-kicking tree with his enormous haul of 130 for the year.
Lloyd finished as one of seven players across the regions to crack the ton before finals in season 2024, edging out Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp of Loddon Valley Football League with 128.
Finishing two goals shy of the podium — with 113 — was another local representative in Strathmerton spearhead Tim Looby out of the Picola District Football League, whose side was knocked out of contention last weekend by Tungamah.
Lloyd, by the standard, was relatively well-contained by some other finals-bound sides in his competition this year, registering three games with a season-low three goals against Shepparton East, Nagambie and Tallygaroopna.
He exploded off the handle his fair share of times in putting up his eye-popping tally, though, notching double figures on five occasions with a whopping season high of 19 against Undera in round nine — plus going for 12 and 14 in two meetings with Violet Town.
Having averaged more than eight a game in the season, it almost goes without saying his boot is bound to have a significant say in this Saturday’s huge semi-final as his minor premiers Grasshoppers meet second-placed Lancaster at Girgarre.
Coach Brett Foley oversaw the beginnings of a memorable season from early on.
“James had a bit more of a pre-season than what he has previously, so once he started kicking bags, we thought he might be in for something special,” Foley said.
“I don’t think we expected 130, but we thought he’d get to 100 and he really cashed in on a couple of weeks.
“He was nip and tuck with (Tim) Looby for a while, but he got on top at the end.
“It’s not something we were planning on, but it’s always good when you’ve got someone you can give it to who can kick it straight more often than not.”
With all that said, however, there’ll be more than 40 other factors at play when those two teams do battle in blue and white territory with an automatic spot in the decider on the line.
There’s an element of unfinished business for the Grasshoppers as well, who finished the season unbeaten, but drew with the other two teams vying for the double chance this year: Lancaster and Shepparton East.
“It’ll be good to see if we can match them in finals,” Foley said.
“It’s all good in home and away, but in finals you need to bring your best to match it with the best.
“They were on top all through the COVID year too, so they’re a big powerful club and we’ll hope to bring it to them Saturday.
“We’re not looking to James to be the person who wins us the game as there are 20 other blokes out there; we’ve got Aidan Lloyd and a few others who don’t mind getting on the end of a few goals.
“We’ll get him as much ball as we can, but if it isn’t James’ day, hopefully it’s someone else’s.”
All eyes will certainly be on Lloyd, who has recommitted to the club for 2025, to see if he can cut through the Wombats’ three-peat ambitions.
That’s not the only big occasion KDL observers can look ahead to in this weekend’s action, though.
Shepparton East and Nagambie will collide in the Sunday clash at Undera after both sides kept 2024 alive in respective elimination finals.
The Eagles only narrowly missed the double chance in the first place and proved far too good for Tallygaroopna in what became the Hysen Ismet show.
Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up the Lakers overcame Avenel in similarly comfortable fashion last Sunday.
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