Tom Boyd - Your expectations for 2016

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc3AqtKVIAAJA78.jpg:large

Tom will again come under pressure from media types all due to his salary, although Carey came out in his support and said to get off his back and let him develop. He is a number one draft pick and only 20 years old, standing at over 200cm.

What are your expectations for Tom in 2016? How many games will he play? Where do you think he will play, ie strictly FF, or stints in the ruck, or where should he play?

[LostDoggy]

I think he'll play deep forward with just occasional pinch hits into the ruck. I don't have any expectations output wise as his progress won't be linear. I'd like to see the penny drop a little regarding his belief in himself contest to contest and ability to physically sustain effort/second efforts.

[SlimPickens]

To compete!

If he doesn't mark it, he has bring it to the ground. To aggressively attack the ball and help keep it in our forward half.
I'm not going to put a figure of goals on the table but if he can get his average to around 1.5-1.75 a game that would be a massive positive.

Apart from his kicking for goal, I really liked his game yesterday.

[Ozza]

I'd like to see Tom as Full Forward, spending 20% of his time in the ruck.

I wouldn't like to put expectations on him in terms of goals and games played. I would like to see him stayed involved throughout the game.

I'd like for him to be an 'expected' selection every week, by mid way through the season.

[LostDoggy]

I've been a staunch defender of Tom using logic as my reasoning. I even had an exchange with Robbo on Twitter last week. The guy is 20yo and stands at 200cm. His numbers are comparable to other forwards at thew same age, yet because of his contract, he is expected to develop at a faster rate. Makes no sense and is a completely flawed argument. The media write articles questioning if Tom would be feeling the pressure, while at the same time they are perpetuating the pressure. I know this is what the media do but it still beggars belief. I would like to see an improvement in Tom's second efforts and 30+ goals.

[Sedat]

Play 20-22 games (meaning he is an integral part of the senior team), making an impact up forward both in contested marks and halving aerial duels so that we can lock it into our forward 50 for multiple repeat entries, significantly improved core strength and aerobic fitness to ensure repeat contests, continued improvement on his ruck craft. Don't care how many goals he kicks but I want to see him improve in scoring involvements, so that he is in play more than last season. He does all of the above and I will be a very happy supporter.

[stefoid]

Despite not dominating, is Boyd the best long target aerial threat we have got? Probably - that might say more about the marking prowess of our tall stocks than anything else, but nevertheless...

As such, Im not worried about his personal development so much as how his addition integrates with the team. The long target should not normally be the first option.

[G-Mo77]

I've been a staunch defender of Tom using logic as my reasoning. I even had an exchange with Robbo on Twitter last week. The guy is 20yo and stands at 200cm. His numbers are comparable to other forwards at thew same age, yet because of his contract, he is expected to develop at a faster rate. Makes no sense and is a completely flawed argument. The media write articles questioning if Tom would be feeling the pressure, while at the same time they are perpetuating the pressure. I know this is what the media do but it still beggars belief. I would like to see an improvement in Tom's second efforts and 30+ goals.

That's it though, the contract. If he'd been on a lesser deal he'd be a developing forward coming along nicely. The same scrutiny won't apply to McCartin if he doesn't break into the seniors and hold his spot. He's long term for me. I do expect improvements from his 2015 campaign but don't expect to see an AA Forward like most of the media and idiot opposition supporters.

[josie]

I've been a staunch defender of Tom using logic as my reasoning. I even had an exchange with Robbo on Twitter last week. The guy is 20yo and stands at 200cm. His numbers are comparable to other forwards at thew same age, yet because of his contract, he is expected to develop at a faster rate. Makes no sense and is a completely flawed argument. The media write articles questioning if Tom would be feeling the pressure, while at the same time they are perpetuating the pressure. I know this is what the media do but it still beggars belief. I would like to see an improvement in Tom's second efforts and 30+ goals.

Exactly my thoughts and I would like him to hold a few more marks which I think will come with confidence and exhibit more controlled aggression. Tom has the best looking kicking action of a full forward I can recall in recent times. I do think he will live up to our expectations, we just need to be patient. I also think he will end up being in leadership group when he does hit his straps.

[Bulldog4life]

Exactly my thoughts and I would like him to hold a few more marks which I think will come with confidence and exhibit more controlled aggression. Tom has the best looking kicking action of a full forward I can recall in recent times. I do think he will live up to our expectations, we just need to be patient. I also think he will end up being in leadership group when he does hit his straps.

Can't agree there Josie. Tends to run to the right instead of straight. Never really confident when he is kicking for goals. At this stage I am more confident with big Jack's kicking for goal.

[Mofra]

Can't agree there Josie. Tends to run to the right instead of straight. Never really confident when he is kicking for goals. At this stage I am more confident with big Jack's kicking for goal.
Weird, because as a junior he'd almost never miss.
0.3 on the weekend is cause for both celebration and concern - first game for the year he's hitting the scoreboard and crating opportunities, but not kicking straight.

I'd love to see him pinch hit in the ruck and become our 'anchor' forward as the forward/ruck role is the hardest to fill in the AFL.

As an aside - sounds weird, but I want him to front the MRP. I want to see him hit blokes (legally....ish) and show some aggression.

[Cyberdoggie]

As an aside - sounds weird, but I want him to front the MRP. I want to see him hit blokes (legally....ish) and show some aggression.

hehe I get your point but perhaps concentrating on second efforts and pressure is an alternative. He's far too lazy and as you put it 'non aggressive' when the ball is in his area.

[bornadog]

hehe I get your point but perhaps concentrating on second efforts and pressure is an alternative. He's far too lazy and as you put it 'non aggressive' when the ball is in his area.

I thought he showed some agression yesterday.

[soupman]

I thought he showed some agression yesterday.

First one over to support Goetz.

[bornadog]

First one over to support Goetz.

Even though Goetz was in the wrong.

He has copped this:


One charge laid from the weekend. Bulldog Luke Goetz can accept a $1000 fine for pushing Melbourne's Colin Garland over the fence.

[jeemak]

Shocking start to a rookie's career. Zero stats, $1000 fine.

[Ghost Dog]

Weird, because as a junior he'd almost never miss.
0.3 on the weekend is cause for both celebration and concern - first game for the year he's hitting the scoreboard and crating opportunities, but not kicking straight.

I'd love to see him pinch hit in the ruck and become our 'anchor' forward as the forward/ruck role is the hardest to fill in the AFL.

As an aside - sounds weird, but I want him to front the MRP. I want to see him hit blokes (legally....ish) and show some aggression.

Mofra, I like the way you roll. Bit of old school knuckle.


Shocking start to a rookie's career. Zero stats, $1000 fine.


At least he got involved!

[bulldogtragic]

My expectations are Tony Shaw & Leigh Matthews using every opportunity to keep taking cheap shots a kid with as much potential as any young KPF in the AFL no matter how well he performs. For me, steady progression and taking a few more marks he gets his hands to and competing forward and ruck if needed. He's had two seasons in the system with a Rising Star nomination. Hawkins didn't dominate until well after this point.

[Ghost Dog]

My expectations are Tony Shaw & Leigh Matthews using every opportunity to keep taking cheap shots a kid with as much potential as any young KPF in the AFL no matter how well he performs. For me, steady progression and taking a few more marks he gets his hands to and competing forward and ruck if needed. He's had two seasons in the system with a Rising Star nomination. Hawkins didn't dominate until well after this point.

What annoys me is they know this. Leigh Mathews would have presided over some players that took a long time to develop. Tony Shaw is not that removed from footy either. My take is that they are jealous. They are in the commentary box, had their time, and are just jealous. Or they seem to forget that it's this sort of coin that a middle ranked club like us have to pull to get a player of his type at our club. Once in a generation player.

[Ghost Dog]

I feel other clubs would have paid a similar amount. Even those higher placed than us. Scully says hello!

[bulldogtragic]

I feel other clubs would have paid a similar amount. Even those higher placed than us. Scully says hello!

St Kilda did I think, but he'd committed to us and Griffen to them. If Carlton weren't asleep at the wheel, they would've offered more and let Liam Jones stay with us... :D

[jeemak]

A realistic expectation for me is ensuring he plays every game he's available for, notwithstanding games considered as part of his comeback post any injuries he might endure (heaven forbid).

Given his versatility you would think that it's completely in his court to be a forward 80 per cent of the time, and a ruck for the remainder. I don't think there's anyone else on the list laying claim to the forward ruck role.

The goals will take care of themselves if he stays involved consistently throughout games. Beyond that, he just needs to hit every contest as if it's his last and and run his backside off.

[Ghost Dog]

St Kilda did I think, but he'd committed to us and Griffen to them. If Carlton weren't asleep at the wheel, they would've offered more and let Liam Jones stay with us... :D

Right, so it's irrelevant to say 'was he worth the money' when 2 other clubs at least would have taken him for more, the jury is still very far out, and that is the market price, not our price.

[Ghost Dog]

St Kilda did I think, but he'd committed to us and Griffen to them. If Carlton weren't asleep at the wheel, they would've offered more and let Liam Jones stay with us... :D

Right, so it's irrelevant to say 'was he worth the money' when 2 other clubs at least would have taken him for more, the jury is still very far out, and that is the market price, not our price.

[ratsmac]

I want to see him run and jump at the ball. When he launches at the ball he splits packs. When he stands and wrestles he more than often spills the mark.

I'd also like to see a more competitive edge from the big fella.

[LostDoggy]

I understand people's point about Boyd charging at contests rather than standing and wrestling, but I reckon this is much about delivery as it is about him. If the ball is kicked on top of his head, he hasn't got much option.

As the team builds chemistry, I reckon we'll see earlier releases from the midfield, so that more entries land 25 metres or so from goal, allowing Boyd a good run at it. This is much harder to defend (harder to punch to a safe defensive place) and allows more space for the crumbers.

[merantau]

I will be happy if Tom plays the role the coach wants him to play. If he doesn't do that he won't be in the side - simple as that. Luke Beveridge won't be swayed by any media pressure to play or not play Tom Boyd. He will always do what is right for the team.
I hope that Tom plays every game. I suspect he will spend some time in the VFL mid-season.

[F'scary]

If he had kicked straight yesterday, he would have had 3 goals and everyone would be very upbeat indeed about his coming season.

[chef]

100 goals, a Coleman and a Norm Smith.

[F'scary]

100 goals, a Coleman and a Norm Smith.

That's right on the money. On 3 goals yesterday, stacks would have him down for 60 goals minimum.

[LostDoggy]

Shocking start to a rookie's career. Zero stats, $1000 fine.

Wouldn't be too harsh on him. Played 14% gametime, and that was basically all deep forward in Q4 when the ball was almost entirely down the other end (we kicked 1 point for the quarter).

As for the fine, that's more of a badge of honour. When he pays it, I imagine all the boys around him back slapping just like when Ray Liotta 'pops his cherry' coming out of jail for the first time in Goodfellas (at least that's how I like to picture it).

[Eastdog]

It's only because he is getting paid a million a year that the critics will be out. As long as we are happy with his progress in house then that is the main thing. Will be great to see him really take some great contested marks and get more goals this year than last.

There was an interview on 7sport news tonight with Jack Redpath and he said that ideally he would love to play with T Boyd in the forward line and really dominate it together.

[Mantis]

Any improvement on last year ( where he was serviceable) would be welcomed.

We aren't going to see his best for a few more years so progress through this time, like the rest of our young guys, is what we want to see.. And what I'm confident we will see.

*!*!*!*!-tards like Slobbo and Shaw aren't able to think for themselves and come up with meaningful footy stories so pick easy targets like Tom... But as we all are fully aware just because they have a voice in the media it doesn't mean their opinion carries any weight what so ever.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Any improvement on last year ( where he was serviceable) would be welcomed.

We aren't going to see his best for a few more years so progress through this time, like the rest of our young guys, is what we want to see.. And what I'm confident we will see.

*!*!*!*!-tards like Slobbo and Shaw aren't able to think for themselves and come up with meaningful footy stories so pick easy targets like Tom... But as we all are fully aware just because they have a voice in the media it doesn't mean their opinion carries any weight what so ever.

Yep. It doesn't surprise me, and yet it in a way it does. I'm not sure what the media expects from Boyd, I thought he had a solid first year and I am very confident he'll improve again this season. He looks fitter, leaner and stronger - it's a good start.

Reality is, unless he kicked 50+ he was always going to get criticism. I think he's mature enough to handle it.

[1eyedog]

I think the people that matter have their expectations of him in check. I'm not too fussed about the media commentary concerning his performances this year and given what I have seen of him I don't think he is either.

The positive aspect about all of this is that he is mature beyond his years and seems like he has both physically and emotionally strong shoulders and that's partly why he went no. 1. I will have a problem if I start to hear cheap shots from our own fan base. We're not historically prone to this but never before have the expectations been so great and and the investment been so costly.

Ultimately, if Bevo is happy how he is tracking, I'm happy.

[ratsmac]

Players like Jesse Hogan, the Bont and even Stringer put Boyd under pressure because they looked great from their first game.

I think everyone in the footy world knows Boyd will get better and better but until he takes a game by the scruff of the neck and absolutely dominates we will continue to see the media go for him.

[1eyedog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc3AqtKVIAAJA78.jpg:large

Tom will again come under pressure from media types all due to his salary, although Carey came out in his support and said to get off his back and let him develop. He is a number one draft pick and only 20 years old, standing at over 200cm.

What are your expectations for Tom in 2016? How many games will he play? Where do you think he will play, ie strictly FF, or stints in the ruck, or where should he play?

That's a massive ball drop.

I hope he plays CHF to be honest now that Crameri is out. He doesn't have the tank to be sustainable there but he has the speed, height, covers the ground extremely well and is an aerial specialist. I thought he hibernated at FF last year and looked better up the ground. He is a genuine target and needs to use his attributes in one on one situations rather than getting double and triple teamed deep forward. Crammers out for the year seriously allows for a Stewart Loewe / Plugger type of arrangement with Boyd and Redpath, whom, because he is more natural leading forward, needs to be the one to play deep.

[azabob]

Does a plugger Loewe scenario work in today's game though?

[1eyedog]

Does a plugger Loewe scenario work in today's game though?

Just an analogy for how effective they were fast forward to the modern game. I think Boyd and Redpath can play together though yes.

[azabob]

Just an analogy for how effective they were fast forward to the modern game. I think Boyd and Redpath can play together though yes.

After I posted I thought Kennedy and Darling at West Coast play a similar style.

[Mofra]

If he had kicked straight yesterday, he would have had 3 goals and everyone would be very upbeat indeed about his coming season.
If we kicked straight we'd have two premierships in the 90s and would have won in September last year.
I'm not so willing to forgive missing shots on goal - it's a real problem for us in our two NAB cup games and has killed us in recent history

[Mofra]

After I posted I thought Kennedy and Darling at West Coast play a similar style.
Darling is small for a KPF and covers the ground well, and will get midfield minutes this year.
He's more Stringer than either of Redpath or Boyd

I think Redpath and Boyd both play like FFs so one of them will be sacrificing their natural game to play higher up the ground.

[Ghost Dog]

That's a massive ball drop.

I hope he plays CHF to be honest now that Crameri is out. He doesn't have the tank to be sustainable there but he has the speed, height, covers the ground extremely well and is an aerial specialist. I thought he hibernated at FF last year and looked better up the ground. He is a genuine target and needs to use his attributes in one on one situations rather than getting double and triple teamed deep forward. Crammers out for the year seriously allows for a Stewart Loewe / Plugger type of arrangement with Boyd and Redpath, whom, because he is more natural leading forward, needs to be the one to play deep.

The thing I like about Tom is the movement of his arms is consistent with someone ( Big ) who has some dexterity, unlike Will, who often looks a bit unco from the waist up when he kicks the ball. I absolutely love this photo!

Truly, in my life I have never seen such a big, mature 20 year old. I remember what I was like when I was 20 and it beggars belief.

[Ozza]

I liked on the weekend when he marked just forward of the wing, turned with composure and kicked to a target in the corridor. He is quite a good field kick.

I think his goal kicking on the weekend was out of the ordinary - and possibly a bit related to both windy conditions, and his first proper match in a while. Generally he has been a reliable kick for goal so far. 24.9 career to date (even with those two bad misses against St.Kilda!).

[LostDoggy]

Darling is small for a KPF and covers the ground well, and will get midfield minutes this year.
He's more Stringer than either of Redpath or Boyd

I think Redpath and Boyd both play like FFs so one of them will be sacrificing their natural game to play higher up the ground.

I agree with this. I think for 2 talls to play forward, at least 1 needs to cover a lot of ground and create space, in the manner of a Nick Riewoldt, Jarryd Roughead, Travis Cloke or Taylor Walker. 2 big guys near each other just make it too easy for the opposition defence.

On 2015, neither Tom nor Jack looked anywhere near the required mobility or endurance, however both have trimmed down and had another preseason, so it's a maybe but doubtful in my opinion. At some point, I wonder if both will be tried in alternating roles, where both play a higher, mobile (almost Crameri like) role for periods within a quarter.

[Hot_Doggies]

Comparing Boyd vs Hogan is like comparing Hogan vs Heppell.

Boyd is 6cm taller than Hogan. You would expect him to take a bit longer to develop.

[Greystache]

Comparing Boyd vs Hogan is like comparing Hogan vs Heppell.

Boyd is 6cm taller than Hogan. You would expect him to take a bit longer to develop.

A more sensible comparison is Stringer and Hogan. Same age, same number of years in the system, similar size, similar role, and Stringer leads in nearly every measure.

[Mofra]

On 2015, neither Tom nor Jack looked anywhere near the required mobility or endurance, however both have trimmed down and had another preseason, so it's a maybe but doubtful in my opinion. At some point, I wonder if both will be tried in alternating roles, where both play a higher, mobile (almost Crameri like) role for periods within a quarter.
It's possible - both were certainly getting up the ground during NAB challenge.

Could have Boyd deeper and Redpath a bit further up the ground, then Redpath in the square when Boyd gives a ruck chop-out.

[Hot_Doggies]

A more sensible comparison is Stringer and Hogan. Same age, same number of years in the system, similar size, similar role, and Stringer leads in nearly every measure.

My point was purely about height and bulk. A lot of people forget Boyd is bigger than Minson.

[LostDoggy]

As long as Bevo and the MC are happy with Boydasaur Jnr and therefore keeps getting a game each week based on what their requirements and non negotiables are then I'm happy.

[Templeton31]

hAving a look back over weekends NAB cup he is moving better. I know he got points on weekend but he was able to get out on his own a lot more than last season - either running back ahead of a defender or leading up the ground. Good signs. If he'd kicked 3 goals instead of 3 points it would've made the papers!

What I would like is continued improvement and contribution. What I hope for is a break out game (say 5 or 6 goals or 10 marks) that gives him the confidence that he can do be the player I know he will be. And when that happens LOOK OUT!!!!

[FrediKanoute]

So long as he continues to improve I am happy. So long as he continues to show intensity I am happy. 2016 is another development year for Boyd - 10 games is par 15 is good any more is a bonus.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Exactly my thoughts and I would like him to hold a few more marks which I think will come with confidence and exhibit more controlled aggression. Tom has the best looking kicking action of a full forward I can recall in recent times. I do think he will live up to our expectations, we just need to be patient. I also think he will end up being in leadership group when he does hit his straps.

This year Tom will be given plenty of game time. He will gain experience in the pace and patterns of play at the highest level and find opportunities to use his natural assets, skills and what he's been taught. He will be like a second year apprentice. He will provide structure to our line up out of full forward and help out in the ruck. Occasional major impact will be a bonus, he is a second year apprentice. Hopefully he will back himself and be comfortable making the odd error but get into the action and present. He will avoid serious injury. (Is there a clause in his contract that covers not playing?)
I expect the team to learn to deliver to him so that a synergy develops. I would back Macrae, Bont, McLean and Libba to do it now but with more game time, more habitual leading and delivery will develop.
Tom's kicking action is natural and has a good striking motion as seen in that last frame. Looking at the second last frame however, the ball drop could be a lot lower. He should guide the ball down lower onto his foot, which also helps to keep the head over the ball and less time for mental errors.

[Bulldog4life]

Tom's kicking action is natural and has a good striking motion as seen in that last frame. Looking at the second last frame however, the ball drop is too high. He should guide the ball down lower onto his foot.

Like Tony Lockett. He use to place the ball practically on his foot.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Like Tony Lockett. He use to place the ball practically on his foot.

Now there's a good model.

[LostDoggy]

Like Tony Lockett. He use to place the ball practically on his foot.

Aker was my all time favourite model for the ball drop, his head was basically on his knee.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Aker was my all time favourite model for the ball drop, his head was basically on his knee.

Get Aker back as a goal kicking coach.
Tell him to look for success from the accuracy of the Bulldogs goal kicking not from attention seeking from controversial opinions.
Pity it's not going to happen.

[Greystache]

Get Aker back as a goal kicking coach.
Tell him to look for success from the accuracy of the Bulldogs goal kicking not from attention seeking from controversial opinions.
Pity it's not going to happen.

Akermanis kicked 114 goals 87 behinds at a percentage of 56% with the Bulldogs. Hardly the stuff of legend.

For a player who dropped the ball so close to his boot his kicks swung quite dramatically left to right and made kicking a goal on the left side of the goals extremely difficult.

[Bulldog4life]

Aker was my all time favourite model for the ball drop, his head was basically on his knee.

Yes he was a great exponent too.

[bornadog]

Get Aker back as a goal kicking coach.
Tell him to look for success from the accuracy of the Bulldogs goal kicking not from attention seeking from controversial opinions.
Pity it's not going to happen.

I loved watching Aker.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlmlEHXGVYE

[hujsh]

Akermanis kicked 114 goals 87 behinds at a percentage of 56% with the Bulldogs. Hardly the stuff of legend.

For a player who dropped the ball so close to his boot his kicks swung quite dramatically left to right and made kicking a goal on the left side of the goals extremely difficult.

I remember seeing him swing it right to left when he had to.

I felt he was one of the more reliable kicks from the pocket

[Bulldog4life]

I loved watching Aker.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlmlEHXGVYE

So did I Bad. It is memorable the amount of times I yelled "AKER" as he slotted another goal.

[Before I Die]

Akermanis kicked 114 goals 87 behinds at a percentage of 56% with the Bulldogs. Hardly the stuff of legend.

For a player who dropped the ball so close to his boot his kicks swung quite dramatically left to right and made kicking a goal on the left side of the goals extremely difficult.

Given he kicked equally well with both feet isn't this a moot point?

[Twodogs]

I remember seeing him swing it right to left when he had to.

I felt he was one of the more reliable kicks from the pocket

It would depend what foot he kicked with. Left foot drags and right foot draws.

I think.

[Greystache]

I remember seeing him swing it right to left when he had to.

I felt he was one of the more reliable kicks from the pocket

Don't remember it for the Bulldogs. Certainly not from a set shot. Always seemed to be right foot and always left to right, even when on the wrong side for that curve.

56% is not a good record.

[F'scary]

Plus he was a turd of a guy

[josie]

Can't agree there Josie. Tends to run to the right instead of straight. Never really confident when he is kicking for goals. At this stage I am more confident with big Jack's kicking for goal.

I will take note of that if Tom plays on Saturday. Sounds like Dickson should be teaching the other lads how to kick straight. Would love to poach Gilbee back as our kicking coach. Presume he is still at Saints.

[1eyedog]

Don't remember it for the Bulldogs. Certainly not from a set shot. Always seemed to be right foot and always left to right, even when on the wrong side for that curve.

56% is not a good record.

Under serious heat most of the time and many of those shots were opportunistic rather than set shots. If we could break it down on set shots the 56% would become more valid.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Akermanis kicked 114 goals 87 behinds at a percentage of 56% with the Bulldogs. Hardly the stuff of legend.

For a player who dropped the ball so close to his boot his kicks swung quite dramatically left to right and made kicking a goal on the left side of the goals extremely difficult.

How do you explain this supposed dramatic swing and apparent lack of accuracy given his technique, the fact that he frequently drilled it from very tight angles and was a major goal kicker?

[LostDoggy]

Back to Tom Boyd... I just want to see him improve. That's all. Everything else is up to the big man himself.

If I'm a bit worried about the Boyd situation, it's the situation that worries me, not Boyd: this amount of pressure, unfair critique and weight-of-the-premiership-drought-on-his-shoulders crap from fans and media could very well create another Griffen. Even Lockett struggled with it, puked before matches and moved to Sydney to get away from it all. Remember that Boyd started his career up there, and despite seeming a mature and level-headed young fella there would be a massive adjustment to the local environment.

I'd like to see his critics get it carved on their foreheads (as in Inglourious Basterds) so when he's winning flags and Colemans they can't turn around and scream that they never doubted him for a second, what a legend!

[F'scary]

BAS, he has the size, he has the tools, he also has the smarts. He has shown he can take the big contested marks in the hardest part of the ground to take them. He has shown he is nearly impossible to out-mark. He has shown that he is a reasonable option as the second ruck. I understand that one of his weaknesses last season, marking on the lead (where he appeared uncertain whether to keep the feet grounded and take it with the hands outstretched or to jump and take it on the chest), appears to have improved considerably from his showing last weekend. Likewise, he appears to be doing more defensive things too, again, based on last weekend's showing.

He was already under pressure last season and I thought he took it like water off a Big Boyd's back.

Fear not, he will build well on last season.

And there is room for the Wood Chopper too!

[bulldogtragic]

If playing football is a job, and a game consisting of components, then Tom Boyd is being bullied at work. He could kick 10 goals and still get shit canned by so called commentators. Marks, goals, involvements all over the ground and still they jump on him. Seems my expectations about him and the football industry are about right.

[F'scary]

BAS, he has the size, he has the tools, he also has the smarts. He has shown he can take the big contested marks in the hardest part of the ground to take them. He has shown he is nearly impossible to out-mark. He has shown that he is a reasonable option as the second ruck. I understand that one of his weaknesses last season, marking on the lead (where he appeared uncertain whether to keep the feet grounded and take it with the hands outstretched or to jump and take it on the chest), appears to have improved considerably from his showing last weekend. Likewise, he appears to be doing more defensive things too, again, based on last weekend's showing.

He was already under pressure last season and I thought he took it like water off a Big Boyd's back.

Fear not, he will build well on last season.

And there is room for the Wood Chopper too!

Don't know about this now, after the last NAB Cup match.

[always right]

Don't know about this now, after the last NAB Cup match.

No reason Boyd and Redpath can't play in the same team. Unfortunately Jack drifted out of the game which has become a habit...but had nothing to do with structure. Worth persevering with.

[bornadog]

More of this (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2016-03-12/boyds-big-grab-nab-3) in 2016

[SonofScray]

More of this (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2016-03-12/boyds-big-grab-nab-3) in 2016

The distance he covered at full tilt to get to the footy for that grab was superb. Absolute commitment and courage on display, one of the first times we've seen him grit his teeth and say to the 30 or other so blokes on the field "you can't have that, it's mine."

[Remi Moses]

Thought he was terrific yesterday. His efforts were good, and being leaner he's moving better.
The contract and opinion is something we're going to have to endure, but be assured most that were critical will be silent when he plays good consistent footy .

[F'scary]

At the end of the day, he was always going to be a highly paid player somewhere. He got extra lucky with his contract because of the circumstances. His manager (Pickering) looked after him well.

[F'scary]

More of this (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2016-03-12/boyds-big-grab-nab-3) in 2016

It will shut a lot of the critics up.

[bornadog]

The distance he covered at full tilt to get to the footy for that grab was superb. Absolute commitment and courage on display, one of the first times we've seen him grit his teeth and say to the 30 or other so blokes on the field "you can't have that, it's mine."

The leap was also huge and with him being over 200cm, it was even bigger.

[Go_Dogs]

That was a really impressive grab - great to read he was impressive yesterday.

[comrade]

Just goes to show how shallow the footy media is. Constantly kicking him in the guts for the last 12 months, then after his first decent pre season he shows his true potential and they lap it up, put him on the back page flying for a speccie.

Would love it when he's on stage getting his premiership medal, that he grabs the mic and shouts 'this is for the haters!'

[hujsh]

Would love it when he's on stage getting his premiership medal, that he grabs the mic and shouts 'this is for the haters!'

Personally I'd cringe at that.

Mostly because the word 'haters'. Urg

[1eyedog]

No reason Boyd and Redpath can't play in the same team. Unfortunately Jack drifted out of the game which has become a habit...but had nothing to do with structure. Worth persevering with.

Redpath doesn't do enough. Never has in my opinion. Needs to change that this year or its back to Kyneton.

[Doc26]

Redpath doesn't do enough. Never has in my opinion. Needs to change that this year or its back to Kyneton.

Makes it more difficult for Jack when he favours so heavily the right side of his body, avoiding any contact with his left shoulder. I often wonder why he's out there with such an obvious impediment to him.

[comrade]

Personally I'd cringe at that.

Mostly because the word 'haters'. Urg

Hater :D

[bornadog]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/223923_22e155c37537f7a8d971b7b9f846d07e_zpseyudr1uq.jpeg?t=1 457840809