HEAD OF Football Brad Lloyd was one of a number of Navy Blue personnel to join SEN on Thursday in what was Carlton Membership Day.

Speaking to Dwayne Russell on a number of topics just seven days out from the traditional Thursday night clash against Richmond, this is what Lloyd had to say.

On where the list is at in its development:

"I think we’re at a different stage [to the past]. It’s interesting, we’ve gotten a bit younger with a few of our older players moving on in recent years. Guys like Kreuzer, Simpson, Eddie Betts, Marc Murphy and Levi. From an average age point of view, those guys have moved on. 

"But the core group with Harry, Weitering, Cripps, Walsh - even though he’s only [21] - they’re starting to mature. We had a lot of young ones and older ones, but now I feel like the core group is starting to mature. 

"In the last few off-seasons, we’ve been able to welcome Zac Williams, Saad, Cerra, Hewett, Young and Fogarty: they give us a bit more maturity in that age group. We’re trying to bring it together so they can come through at the same age and we can have some success for a long period.

"The list has been building and is maturing. We’re more mature than we were a couple of years ago and it’s coming through: we’re at a better stage in that cycle.

On Michael Voss’ impact:

 ‘Vossy’ has also been outstanding with the way he has gone about it. He’s a natural leader: Leigh Matthews said if he could choose anyone to lead a side [it’d be Voss]. 

"I’ve certainly seen that, culturally and the lessons he’s teaching the boys and they’re hanging off every word. I love what he’s done in terms of his seven years at Port Adelaide and plying his trade after the experience he had at Brisbane straight out of footy. He’s made a really good impression around the place.

"I don’t think I’ve met someone who has achieved what he has when he was playing that is so humble. He doesn’t trade off his career, he has put a huge amount of work into his coaching.

On embracing a team-first mentality:

"The main thing with an 18-man system is it’s a philosophy that everyone has a role to play. It’s a team sport and everyone has a role to play all over the ground. 

"You all rely on each other and move together, that’s the main thing which ‘Vossy’ talks about a lot. It’s a very team-based game and big on balance, both in offence and defence."

On Sam Walsh’s availability:

"Sam Walsh won’t play Round 1. Our timeline hasn’t changed with him, in terms of missing the first month of the season. In saying that, he’s rehabbing really well. 

"We’re not going to push him, but he’s an outstanding young man and the way he’s going about it, he’s coming up really well. We’re not going to change the timeline at this point.  

"He’s starting to move around and we’ve got some Alter-G machines at the footy club where he can move around and can take your body weight off. He’s progressing well, but it’s a fraction early to put an exact date on it."

On Sam Docherty’s availability and comeback journey:

"He’s a chance for sure. He’ll be in the selection mix, that’s the information I’ve got at the moment. He was thrilled and the Club was thrilled with his VFL game last week with the way he went about it. 

"He’s an unbelievable story and to see him a couple of months ago still in his recovery phase, compared to how he’s got his AFL body back and the way he’s moving and applied himself, he’s been sensational all the way through. 

"He’s pretty much ready to go, so he’ll enter the selection mix with the rest of the boys, but we’ll also have to look at his build-up and make a sound decision."

On where the team will find improvement:

“I think you’re going to see a bit of improvement out of the team this year. There are some boys that have had good summers that are in pretty good shape, so hopefully we get some good consistency out of them during the year. 

“That durability is key, getting your key players on the park fit and playing well. We’ve had a good pre-season with a lot of those boys, so I think you’ll see an improved team this year.”