With an entourage of fans, Matthew Lloyd would never be short of a marriage proposal. Sorry to disappoint all those female fans out there but Lloyd is spoken for. He will marry long-time girlfriend, Lisa, later this year. “I think it is crucial that you have a settled life off the field. There has been players in the past who it has affected their football because they are having problems with partners off the field or they maybe doing nothing but worrying about football. I am lucky that through footy I have Nike and Foxtel that have kept me busy and with the club with things like this and marketing – I think it is great to do other things in life away from footy,” Lloyd said.

Q. I know Essendon supporters will want to know with the father-son rule – when will there be a young Lloydy running around – is that on the cards?
A. I think around the 30 mark. I am only 24, and there are so many things I want to do in life. Lisa and I love to travel.

Q. How do you cope just doing normal day to day stuff – everyone knowing who you are?
A. Some many people who you have never met before, come up to you and say g’day like you have known them for years. I remember going up to my heroes and I still remember to this day how they were towards me. Even if I am not really in the best mood, I really try and make a mark on them. I still have to pinch myself to believe the life I am living.

Q. Do you ever lose your temper?
A. Obviously getting reported three times last year. The tactics we spoke about earlier, probably got to me a bit and I have taken out my frustration in the wrong way. If you spoke to Lisa, she would probably tell you that I am an angry man sometimes and can take my frustrations out on her. Once you get to a footy club it is a great place because there are so many different types of characters and they help you get out of it.

Q. What are you like around the house – are you a pretty impressive cook?
A. Toast is probably the best I have ever done. I was lucky that after moving out of the family home, Lisa has always been there to look after me and I don’t think I could play good footy without someone looking after me.