Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd has admitted his stellar career could finish at the end of this season after watching childhood friend and long-time teammate Scott Lucas announce his retirement yesterday.

Lloyd, who hopes to recover from a heel injury in time for the clash with Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday, described it as a sad day.

He said Lucas' decision gave him a more acute appreciation of his football mortality and while there had been speculation he would make an announcement on his career as early as next week, it was unlikely until the end of the season.

"I'm closer to the end as well," Lloyd said.

"Whether it's in two weeks or 12 months, it's going to happen to me sooner rather than later."

Lucas, who will turn 32 in December, is less than five months older than Lloyd. Lucas won two Essendon club champion awards. Lloyd's highest finishes were second in 2001 and last year.

The pair arrived at Windy Hill before the 1995 season via separate trades with Fremantle which sent Tony Delaney and Todd Ridley to the Dockers.

Lloyd revealed they had aspired to carve out careers similar to Hawthorn superstars Jason Dunstall and Dermott Brereton. Their combined tally of 1397 goals from 539 games compares favourably with the Hawks pair's 1681 goals from 458 games. "We had dreams of doing something similar when we walked through the doors together," Lloyd said.

"Obviously, we all see on weekends what he (Lucas) has produced as a footballer, whether it be winning a best and fairest at centre half-back or winning a best and fairest at centre half-forward.

"He's been very underrated but an Essendon champion within the club.

"As a friend, you couldn't meet a more loyal person, humble and just a genuine person and a great family man. It's been an honour to be his best mate and play with him for 15 years."

Paddy Ryder and Courtenay Dempsey will miss the Dockers clash and Dustin Fletcher still seems highly unlikely to play. But Essendon are confident heavy cork injuries to Brent Stanton, Sam Lonergan and Adam McPhee will not prevent them from playing.