Lloyd has fractured the ulna in his right forearm and is expected to miss at least four weeks of football. The incident occurred late in the second quarter after tackling Brad Ottens, with Lloyd leaving the ground immediately. He was taken to hospital for x-rays where Essendon’s worst fears were realised.
Lloyd will consult with a surgeon tomorrow morning to decide if the fracture requires an operation and the insertion of a plate.
Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy was obviously disappointed to lose his champion full forward for the season opener. ""He is a champion and you never like losing players like that,"" Sheedy said. ""It is just the way it goes and we now have to find someone to replace him.""
""Our side has lifted before without him. We have played well when he has been sidelined. Obviously I would prefer we had him but we just have to get on with life.""
However it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Bombers who put in their most encouraging performance so far this pre-season, staying in touch with the Cats all night in a tightly fought contest.
James Hird dazzled under the lights of the Queen Elizabeth Oval, to lead the midfield but was well supported by Justin Murphy, Jason Johnson and Mark McVeigh. Hird finished with 29 possessions.
The performance of Ty Zantack was outstanding deep in defence and he was clearly one of his side's best players.
Tristan Cartledge played one of his best games for the Bombers given the task of number one ruck duties in the absence of Matthew Allan, David Hille and Jason Laycock. He played a solid game in the ruck taking the honours against Geelong big-man Brad Ottens.
Kepler Bradley continues to make an impression on the Bomber selectors while Nathan Lovett-Murray again also showed promise in his new role across centre half back.
With only one point separating the teams at the final break, the intensity lifted in the final quarter when the win was in the grasp of both sides. However two goals in two minutes to Shannon Byrnes gave the Cats a lead the Bombers could not peg back.
14,000 people were at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Essendon supporters, don't forget the AGL Picnic at Windy Hill, starting Sunday morning at 11am.
