Matthew Lloyd is just four goals away from reaching 100 goals in consecutive seasons. Lloyd played a sensational first half against Richmond and kicked six goals for the match to take his 2001 tally to 96. Had he not missed three matches this season through suspension he would have already achieved the milestone. While winning this Friday night's qualifying final is of paramount importance, the Lloyd milestone will be in the back of the minds of all Essendon fans.

The most remarkable aspect of Lloyd's goal-kicking feats of 2001 has been his accuracy in front of goal. Lloyd has kicked 96 goals and 32 behinds - an excellent conversion rate. ""I have felt pretty comfortable over the football this season and hopefully it continues during the finals,"" Lloyd said. ""You really feel like you are letting down the boys further up the field when you aren't kicking straight. The goals are really the reward for all their hard work.""

Last season Lloyd kicked 109.60 - still a reasonable return but nothing like what he has achieved this season. Champion Sydney full foward Tony Lockett believes if a full forward can kick two goals for every behind then he is kicking well. Lloyd is averaging three goals to every behind.

""I think if you can get in a good routine it really helps your kicking for goal. I go through the same routine each time I kick for goal - I get a bit of a ribbing about it ocassionally, especially under the roof at Colonial Stadium - but it works for me and I'll stick with it,"" Lloyd said.

""I suppose as you get closer to kicking 100 goals you naturally think about it but the fact we are about to play in a final means it doesn't dominate my thoughts. A win on Friday night is critical and as long as that happens it doesn't really bother me how many goals I kick.""