After huge trade, why are Bulldog Tom Boyd and Giant Ryan Griffen disappointing at their new homes?

[F'scary]

The forward line functions much better when Big Boyd is on the ground. He is starting to take the big grabs regularly. He is a reliable kick at goal. He is a clear cut above other tall players we have been trying up forward for the past x number of years.

[Remi Moses]

Tom needs to get separation from his opponent which will come with experience and confidence .
I'd like him to be a bit more demonstrative on the field, but he will when he gets confident in his ability .
I think he's played a critical role in our structure and our forward half is better with him in it .
Probably needs to lose a bit of puppy fat, but he's a blue chip investment .

[mjp]

With it being such a 'big' trade I can see why the article was written - much fuss was made about it during trade week and the on/off/on/off/ON day by day reporting of the discussions are still fresh in everyones mind.

As with all of this stuff though, the only thing the author can look at is on-field output which - for both players - has been nothing particularly amazing. Now - I actually think what Boyd has been doing playing as a key forward target at age 19 is actually pretty amazing and everyone just needs to chill-out, but the article is a pretty good reminder that if you are a high draft pick with a lot of publicity then you will be judged on output, pure and simple.

In the case of Griffen, GWS have a player whose best footy is in his rear-view mirror - he simply can't do it from week to week the way he once could. But he is professional - and he will speak up in meetings, and challenge his team-mates and generally help the Shiel's of the world become 'better'. What 'better' ends up looking like, I actually have no idea but the Giants have an easy draw and might very well play finals (and we have an easy draw as well).

A couple of people have remarked on Boyd in the subs vest and I have to say that I just don't get it either. Versus Port he was poor but so what? In a game where we couldn't score there was at least some HOPE that he might mark one...and I am still not sure how taking him to Adelaide and then putting him on the bench when he could have been learning a few more of Carlisle's tricks was a bad plan. Just play him. If Boyd wasn't going to mark it then Minson DEFINITELY wasn't going to mark it. Chuck him in the ruck for 5 mins, get him up the ground and 'in' the game...who knows what might have happened. Just play him. Not at 'all costs' of course - at some point his on-field behaviours might mean he needs to be dropped - but if he is picked then he needs to play.

[bulldogtragic]

Tom is 15.4 from set shots. That's Lockett/Dunstall territory.

What expert commentator at his next set shot miss will say he's got technique problems? I'm on Tony Shaw.

[hujsh]

Tom is 15.4 from set shots. That's Lockett/Dunstall territory.

What expert commentator at his next set shot miss will say he's got technique problems? I'm on Tony Shaw.

Think he's already said he struggles from up close

[Twodogs]

Tom is 15.4 from set shots. That's Lockett/Dunstall territory.

What expert commentator at his next set shot miss will say he's got technique problems? I'm on Tony Shaw.

"Ah well, Kelvin Templeton kicked 15.9 in one game"

[Remi Moses]

Once again tonight I noticed a tweet from a Melbourne supporter comparing Tom to Hogan..
This is getting seriously creepy and disturbing