To do it, Lloyd would have to remain free of injuries and Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy would almost certainly have to leave him at full-forward for the rest of his career. And already Sheedy has shown he's not afraid to move Lloyd out to centre half-forward on the odd occasion and has more or less flagged that is where he believes the gifted young Bomber will eventually play. When Sheedy sets his mind on something, nothing it seems will change it. Also against Lloyd or any one else breaking Lockett's record is the decline of the specialist full-forward. Coaches in the modern game decree the player in the best position shoots for goal.
Most teams have multiple ''go-to'' options in the forward line.
Plugger's retirement will signal the end of the full-forward who can be relied upon to kick a bag of goals every week. Dunstall has successfully made the transition from legend of the game to an informative football commentator on radio and television. Anyway, there was no mutual back-scratching by Lockett and Dunstall after the game, just a genuine warm regard and respect for one another's achievements. The two men spent their careers at opposite ends of the ground and their paths would have rarely crossed either on or off the field. But last night it seemed they had known each other all their lives.