Lloyd finished third in the Hoppers’ best and fairest last season and will relocate to Geelong for university.

Bell Park is co-coached by Ex-Myrtleford mentor Luke Rayner, who is confident Lloyd will make an immediate impact for the Dragons this season.

“We obviously got wind he was coming down for university and stayed in contact from there,” Rayner said.

“The university down here is a bit of a drawcard for the Geelong region, so there’s always an influx of footballers that seem to come on the market each year.

“We think he’ll add a fair bit to our midfield group when he joins us in a few weeks time.

“I coached in the Ovens and Murray league for three years, so I know the competition well.

“I’ve still got some good contacts and connections up there, so we did our homework on Ben and we think he can come in and be a good addition to our list.

“It’s a very good level of footy, but we’d like to think with Ben, given he’s had a really good season last year with North Albury, that he’ll come in and have an immediate impact with us.”

Rayner has coached every season since leaving McNamara Reserve in 2002.

He’s been an assistant for TAC Cup outfit Geelong Falcons and also spent time as Essendon’s VFL midfield coach.

North Albury co-coach Clinton Gilson admits Lloyd will be a huge loss, but is the club’s only major out after a bumper off-season on the recruiting front.

“It’s disappointing to lose him, but we understand he’s got to set himself up for life after footy and that involves going to uni down in Geelong,” Gilson said.

“He’ll be sorely missed that’s for sure.”

Gilson admitted it was unlikely the Hoppers will look to replace Lloyd.

“George Godde played a fair bit on ball the year before and was in defence last year, so we’ll probably look to swing him back through the middle,” Gilson said.

Corowa-Rutherglen trio Will Robinson, Jy Lane and Fletcher Stewart have all signed with fellow GFL club Newtown Chilwell.