Wayne Carey impressed by 'competitive' Tom Boyd

[bornadog]

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AFL GREAT Wayne Carey has defended Western Bulldogs youngster Tom Boyd amid criticism the key forward's debut season at Whitten Oval has been underwhelming.

Boyd, who landed at the Dogs from GWS on a multi-million dollar contract during last year's trade period, has come under scrutiny from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd for his output so far in 2015.

Lloyd told Channel Nine the 2013 No.1 pick "gets knocked off the ball" and doesn't have enough "mobility and agility" compared to the premier key forwards of the competition.

Carey on the other hand, has liked what he's seen of the 201cm Eastern Ranges' product who turns 20 in August.

"In the games I have seen him play, I've been impressed with Tom because of his competitiveness," Carey told AFL.com.au

"He very rarely gets out-marked and that side of his game has been quite good.

"So I wouldn't be too critical of him in his first full season because he was always going to take time."

Brought to the Bulldogs to kick goals, Boyd has kicked 16 from 14 appearances in 2015 while his 18 contested marks ranks him equal 19th in the League.

But Carey, arguably the best key forward the game has seen, says the round 12 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee's season shouldn't be judged on stats or his massive contract.

"I don't look at how many goals he's kicked, I don't look at how many marks he's taken, what I look at is how he competes and from that side of things I think he's been good value for the Doggies," said Carey.

"They know they've got a target who at the very least is going to bring the ball to ground and I think that's where he's been very good."

And Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson agrees with Carey's assessment, believing Boyd's presence in attack has helped the Dogs' small forwards immeasurably.

"He's a young man that's learning the ropes in his second year and I think people treat him a bit too harshly," said Dickson.

"We just expect a contest and with Tom crashing the packs and bringing the ball to ground it brings guys like Luke Dahlhaus and myself into the game.

"But if you're having a quiet day like every forward does, it's good to get around the ball (the ruck) and he did have impact in the second half against Geelong on the weekend."

[GVGjr]

Carey's opinion doesn't mean much to me. Boyd needs another season with us before we can work out what his strengths and weaknesses are likely to be. To me he needs to lead more but I think he has long and productive career ahead of him and I think most of us are looking towards him becoming one of the top players in the competition. We just need to be patient.

[jazzadogs]

Carey's opinion doesn't mean much to me. Boyd needs another season with us before we can work out what his strengths and weaknesses are likely to be. To me he needs to lead more but I think he has long and productive career ahead of him and I think most of us are looking towards him becoming one of the top players in the competition. We just need to be patient.

His opinion doesn't mean much to me either, but we want people to be standing up for Toyd in the media over the next few years while he develops. There will be plenty, like Lloyd, who take the opportunity to criticise but not many who will praise him.

[Twodogs]

His opinion doesn't mean much to me either, but we want people to be standing up for Toyd in the media over the next few years while he develops. There will be plenty, like Lloyd, who take the opportunity to criticise but not many who will praise him.

Yep. Tom needs a champion while he develops.

[Ozza]

Good on Duck for getting behind Tom. Its far easier to look at stats and his contract and make a judgement. It is also preferred by most ex-players trying to become media stars, to be critical and grab an easy headline.

Tom has got a stack of work to do on his mobility and his hands to become a good player - but I'm glad Duck has recognised that we are getting some value, structurally, out of the kid right now.

[Go_Dogs]

I actually don't mind some of Carey's observations, and was pleased to see this article this morning. It's a reasonable assessment of what Boyd has offered us this year and notes he still has a long way to go as a developing forward.

I was being facetious but I sent the article to a mate this morning and said 'the King has spoken'.

[boydogs]

I agree for the most part but he has had a few quiet weeks. Still on target at this stage IMO

[Remi Moses]

Gee a 19 year old gets pushed off the ball ?
Lloyd's incisive .
Tom Boyd will be fine, and yes he needs to improve aspects of his game

[GVGjr]

Gee a 19 year old gets pushed off the ball ?
Lloyd's incisive .
Tom Boyd will be fine, and yes he needs to improve aspects of his game

Hogan doesn't get pushed off the ball though.

I don't mind Lloyd, I think he is wrong with his assessment of Boyd but I wouldn't mind him working with a few of our boys.

[Remi Moses]

Hogan doesn't get pushed off the ball though.

I don't mind Lloyd, I think he is wrong with his assessment of Boyd but I wouldn't mind him working with a few of our boys.

Boyd plays like he's 19 and Hogan plays like he's 25.
I don't mind the comments on exposed form, but there's no perspective shown from some.

[Greystache]

Hogan doesn't get pushed off the ball though.

I don't mind Lloyd, I think he is wrong with his assessment of Boyd but I wouldn't mind him working with a few of our boys.

How does Boyd compare to McCartin for being pushed off the ball?

Boyd is 8 months older and has 1 more year in the AFL system than McCartin. Hogan is 8 months older and has 1 more year in the system than Boyd.

[bulldogtragic]

How does Boyd compare to McCartin for being pushed off the ball?

Boyd is 8 months older and has 1 more year in the AFL system than McCartin. Hogan is 8 months older and has 1 more year in the system than Boyd.

Beat me to it. That's the comparison of a fairer nature. Except with last year that the Geelong Falcons are a professional footy club focused on and with a positive record in player development.

[Happy Days]

Lloyd hates literally everything and Carey is human garbage. We all know the time to judge Boyd's success is not even close.

[GVGjr]

How does Boyd compare to McCartin for being pushed off the ball?

Boyd is 8 months older and has 1 more year in the AFL system than McCartin. Hogan is 8 months older and has 1 more year in the system than Boyd.

It's not my observation but I'd imagine in 12 months time (and much like Hogan now) they won't be doing that too him. I haven't seen enough of McCartin yet but I think he will be a bull.

I think Boyd will often be compared to Hogan and it's great for clubs like Melbourne and us to have quality key forwards.

[Greystache]

McCartin is going to be a star. He was the difference between Footscray and whover St. Kildas alignment team is earlier in the year.

12 goals in 7 VFL games and 1 goal in 3 AFL games. He's coming from a fair way back, especially for a fairly small key forward who's mobility is supposed to be his strong point.