Essendon Captain, Matthew Lloyd, today told Bomber TV that, after the first week of pre-season training, the playing group is ""excited"" about the season ahead.
 
The three-time Coleman medalist said after 14 pre-seasons at the club, he has been impressed by some up-and-coming young Bombers and new coach Matthew Knights.
 
""It's a young group but it's an excited group and, as you do every pre-season, you hope that this could be your year,"" he said.
 
""Matthew (Knights) has continued on with some of the great things that Sheeds brought to the club but has seen some areas we can improve in like player rehabilitation.
 
""He's a very structured, disciplined coach and he does things to the minute. If he says something is going to go for an hour it does.""
 
Lloyd say Jason Laycock, Alwyn Davey and Heath Hocking have started the pre-season well but saved special praise for Courtenay Dempsey and Leroy Jetta. 
 
""I've seen a real shift in their mind-set and you can see they have put in a lot of hard work over the break,"" he said.
 
The five time All-Australian said he was hoping to have a full pre-season after suffering a season ending hamstring injury in Round 3, 2006 and missing almost two months of pre-season leading into the 2007 season.
 
""I only really started playing my best footy towards the end of the season so, hopefully, I can take that into next season,"" he said.
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