""We have had a few injury setbacks with injury but I really believe we are stronger than we were last year when we finished sixth. Not too much went right for us last season - I would be very disappointed if we didn't finish in the top four,"" Lloyd said.
""And we need to improve a lot if we are going to match it with side's like Brisbane. They were missing a lot of quality players last season and they still won the Grand Final easily. While they keep their list together they will always be a big chance.""
Lloyd, who has added seven kilograms to his frame during the pre-season, is looking forward to tomorrow's semi-serious hit out against Sydney.
""After you have trained so hard for three months you really look forward to any sort of game. And I really enjoy these games in Sydney - you have 15 players out on the ground and you really interact with the fans and have a bit of fun before things get really serious,' he said.
""I have had my best pre-season ever. A lot of players say that but I have not missed a session and that has never been the case previously, I have always had the odd niggle. I am feeling a lot stronger and I have maintained my pace. Hopefully it augurs well for the year ahead.""
Lloyd, like a number of teammates, is keen to play some football and put the memory of last season's semi-final exit behind them.
""Against Port Adelaide in the final James Hird and myself didn't perform as well as we would have liked so we are very keen to get out there again,"" he said.
And Lloyd may make his return in unfamiliar territory.
""There are no one-position players any more - gone are the full forward who played like Ablett, Lockett and Dunstall. I think I have got my fitness to a point where I am able to move up the ground. In the perfect world I would spend 20% of my time at centre half forward but it will depend on our structure and the opposition,' he said.
Log on to essendonfc.com.au for live scoring and reports from tomorrow's game against Sydney at North Sydney Oval. The match starts at 3.30pm.
