MATTHEW Lloyd's return to Essendon as a specialist goalkicking coach is already reaping benefits, with young forward Joe Daniher refining his action this pre-season.
Lloyd, who booted 926 goals for the Bombers and sits seventh on the AFL's all-time goalkicking list, has been working two days a week with his former club's key forwards, including Daniher and Jake Carlisle.
Star Bomber Brendon Goddard said the champion full-forward had already made a big impact since joining his 2000 premiership teammate James Hird on the coaching panel.
"They're working hard and I've seen some improvement with Joe in his goalkicking," Goddard said on Thursday.
"They're doing a lot of work, twice a week with ‘Lloydy’.
"It's good to have him back around the footy club. The Essendon faithful love him and just to have him back is a real positive."
Stand-in coach Mark Thompson primarily used Carlisle as a forward in 2014, with the 198cm Bomber forming a partnership with Daniher, who is entering his third season.
Out of contract at the end of this season, Carlisle is a wanted man at Tullamarine and Goddard suggested he had the talent to consistently dominate games as he did on occasion in 2014.
"As a forward he played his most dominating games for the footy club [last year]," Goddard said.
"He had a real impact on the game but he probably didn't have the consistency he would have liked.
"For us to be a successful team, or to be the best team we can be, I think a role up forward for Jake is an important one and I believe he will be a dominant forward in the next few years.
"He's an integral part of our structure and the future of the footy club and our chances of being successful, so we'd love him to stay."
Goddard, 29, was buoyed by his own progress this pre-season and said he had not missed a session heading into his 13th campaign.
