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PREMIERSHIP coach Luke Beveridge gave $6 million kid Tom Boyd a free pass.

About 45 minutes after Boyd’s priceless performance in the 2016 Grand Final, Beveridge declared he had paid his way.

How could he not? Boyd’s 29th game as a Western Bulldog will take some topping.
Shortly after Boyd dobbed his third goal from inside the centre square, Beveridge was asked whether he had graduated as a footballer.

“He can graduate, and he can go and throw his hat, and he can never come back and not play another game,” Beveridge said.

“He was unbelievable.”

As Beveridge placed a full stop on that answer he dropped his head into his hands in what appeared to be a mix of pride and disbelief.

On Friday night Boyd celebrates his 50th game in red, white and blue and is just over halfway through that seven-year contract.

Boy, what a curious career it has been.
When you combine the headlines from a No.1 draft pick, a blockbuster trade, a million-dollar contract, a pub fight with a teammate, a mental health battle, stints in the VFL and that Grand Final you get a turbulent ride.

Right now, there appear to be three burning questions for Boyd. Will he ever recapture that Grand Final form? What will his next contract look like? And will those premiership credits ever run out?

Footage of Boyd’s last-quarter celebration, as he ran with outstretched arms, will burn eternally as an iconic Grand Final moment.
As Toby McLean leapt on to Boyd’s shoulders he looked like a man ready to carry the Bulldogs for the next decade.

But 18 months on and Boyd remains a moments player. Last week against North Melbourne there was a contested mark and his 50th career goal in the third quarter.



Tom Boyd has a shot at goal. Picture: Michael KleinIn Boyd’s first AFL game this season there was a set-shot goal from 55m in the wet at Perth Stadium.

The 2018 version has sculpted a much more masculine build. Boyd boasts bigger shoulders and the look is complete with a darker tan, man bun and some prominent facial hair.

Boyd is bigger, but his presence has diminished.

Wayne Carey said Boyd should have won the Norm Smith Medal after he grabbed six contested marks.

Carey said that performance should’ve emboldened him. Instead Boyd has taken 12 contested marks from 20 games since.

Some days Boyd’s hands swallow the ball, some days they spit it out.
Boyd has played 49 games out of a possible 84 since arriving at Whitten Oval, a tick under 60 per cent.

There have been calls from Cameron Mooney and, recently, Tony Shaw to take a pay cut.



Luke Beveridge talks with Tom Boyd. Picture: Michael KleinAs Beveridge said on Grand Final day, Boyd was helpless to control the external pressures that have at times engulfed him.

“I challenge anyone in the room to knock back the contract we offered him,” Beveridge said.

“You wouldn’t knock it back. When we needed our players to find their very best performance he found his in a Grand Final. That was amazing.”

As a junior Boyd progressed through elite basketball programs and while he was billed as a hulking full-forward at draft time, it was the ruck where he starred in under-14s.

Eastern Ranges watchers remember a victory in Wangaratta, where Boyd went into the ruck in the third quarter and changed the game.

Boyd’s follow-up work was imposing and he was a big kid to get around. Former Ranges talent manager Anthony Parkin called for patience.

“I always thought he was going to be a really dominant AFL player and for a variety of reasons that hasn’t happened as of yet,” Parkin said.
“But he is only 22.”



Tom Boyd battles Paddy Ryder in the ruck.Boyd dominated a Grand Final just 40 days after his 21st birthday and in his 29th game. Tom Hawkins first kicked three goals in a final at 23, in his 79th game and ninth final.

The AFL’s likely introduction of starting positions would also help Boyd.

“His timing to lead is really good, he just needs a little bit of space to get going,” Parkin said.
“That’s what the TAC Cup (rules) allowed.”

Bulldogs legend Doug Hawkins wants Beveridge to isolate Boyd as a deep forward.
“He’s not a No.1 ruckman in my opinion. The good ruckman are going to get him,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins said Boyd was “real stiff” to not get the Norm Smith and said it was time to stay in a confined area to rediscover his high marking.

“We’ve seen glimpses of his marking ability — glimpses of it,” Hawkins said.

“Just go for the footy like it’s his footy. Don’t worry about anyone else — son, just go and win that footy.
“If one of your teammates is in the way, bad luck. Look at the ball and have your name written all over it and go and get it.”

Hawkins played in 350 games but only featured in two finals series.
“Boyd’s Grand Final was terrific,” Hawkins said.

“I would’ve loved to have played in a Grand Final. At the end of the day that’s what counts.”