Essendon great Matthew Lloyd thinks only a few sides can really make a premiership push in 2024 after just seven rounds of footy.
His comment came after the Cats beat the Blues 118-105 at the MCG on Saturday as the two title contenders battled it out in a quality battle.
With last year’s Grand Finalists Brisbane dropping to 2-5 and Collingwood at 3-1-3 after their Anzac Day draw, Lloyd thinks that a few sides have separated themselves early with Geelong and GWS – who thrashed the Lions 113-59 on Thursday - leading the way.
He has the Blues also in the conversation while Melbourne (5-2) and Sydney (5-1) have also started the season well.
Even though six teams have won five games or more, he isn’t sure whether they have what it takes to challenge the current top two and explained why he doesn’t have the reigning premiers Collingwood as a genuine premiership threat just yet.
Lloyd: “I just wonder how many potential premiership sides we’ve got left in this competition.
“I know it’s pretty early.”
Cornes: “How many do you think?”
Lloyd: “I’d say three to four.”
Barrett: “You’ve got the Cats in there now?”
Lloyd: “Yes. I think Geelong and the Giants are clearly the best two.”
Jones: “Surely Collingwood is in there.”
Lloyd: “I think if they lose to Carlton this weekend, you don’t want to be sitting outside the eight in 10th or 11th with a percentage currently of 97.
“It’s not good signs for Collingwood.”
Jones: “We’re not even anywhere near the halfway point of the season.”
Barrett: “There’s 16 games left.”
Lloyd: “I know, but if you’re chasing our tail and you chase to catch up, you’ve often done your work before the finals. So, they’d want to improve.”
The huge clash between Collingwood and Carlton comes on Friday night at the MCG.
"Geelong and the Giants are clearly the best two."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 28, 2024
We may be just seven rounds into the season, but Matthew Lloyd says there could be only three or four sides who can win the flag from here.#9AFLSFS | Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/IA6USgixvG
