Tom Boyd Retires

[comrade]

I was flicking through some old articles and came along this well known fact:

“ The Western Bulldogs honoured Tom Boyd with life membership, the club revealed the 2016 premiership hero handed back $2 million when he walked away from the game earlier this year.”

Thinking about that we needed two things to happen to secure Treloar (salary wise), AT had $4.5M owed:

- $1.5M from Collingwood ($3M owing)
- $2M from Tom Boyd ($1M owing, or $200,000 per season)

I get the money isn’t in a straight line, that said it’s a huge wildcard at the time that allowed for an audacious trade for AT. The cash was a gift. The ability to sign all we wanted, recruit well AND get another top liner in our window is the legacy (beyond 2016). After it was announced I don’t think I’ve thought about it once, but what they club has been able to do with that cash (especially during COVID) is great and I’m sure Tom can appreciate that we have reinvested it very well.

He did the club such a solid by retiring with so much grace.

[bulldogtragic]

He did the club such a solid by retiring with so much grace.

The club can nominate him to handover our next premiership cup. Fair trade.

[comrade]

The club can nominate him to handover our next premiership cup. Fair trade.

Would be very cool.

[EasternWest]

I was flicking through some old articles and came along this well known fact:

“ The Western Bulldogs honoured Tom Boyd with life membership, the club revealed the 2016 premiership hero handed back $2 million when he walked away from the game earlier this year.”

Thinking about that we needed two things to happen to secure Treloar (salary wise), AT had $4.5M owed:

- $1.5M from Collingwood ($3M owing)
- $2M from Tom Boyd ($1M owing, or $200,000 per season)

I get the money isn’t in a straight line, that said it’s a huge wildcard at the time that allowed for an audacious trade for AT. The cash was a gift. The ability to sign all we wanted, recruit well AND get another top liner in our window is the legacy (beyond 2016). After it was announced I don’t think I’ve thought about it once, but what they club has been able to do with that cash (especially during COVID) is great and I’m sure Tom can appreciate that we have reinvested it very well.

Tom Boyd is a thoroughly decent human.

You should know, you recruited him.

[Bulldog Joe]

The club can nominate him to handover our next premiership cup. Fair trade.

He was highly responsible for the last one and has really done very well with the dignity of his departure.

Absolutely an ideal choice for the handover, but I suspect there will be a few other legends of the club who can do the next few.

Put Tom down to present one in another 20 odd years, after we have had become accustomed to receiving them.

[bulldogtragic]

Tom Boyd is a thoroughly decent human.

You should know, you recruited him.

True. True.

But like when you cash as a present as a kid, you never knew what the present was until you bought it yourself. Tom’s salary allowed for both Bruce & Keath. But we spent the $2M now on Treloar. So we now know the real present is AT.

Pretty amazing to think Tom’s decision to forego years of salary contracted and perhaps extended but on less, helps secure Bruce & Keath, and Tom’s pay back allows the acquisition of Treloar. Just an amazing change by one decision by one player to retire. And we still have a Pick 1 KPF on the list in any event.

Thinking of Tom himself, thank god he realised that AFL footy wasn’t making him happy. 2020 with pay disputes and hubs away from family would’ve been a living nightmare. So rare an event in life when everyone walks away genuinely happy.

[1eyedog]

So much love for Tom Boyd but surely Dougie gets an opportunity first?

[jeemak]

True. True.

But like when you cash as a present as a kid, you never knew what the present was until you bought it yourself. Tom’s salary allowed for both Bruce & Keath. But we spent the $2M now on Treloar. So we now know the real present is AT.

Pretty amazing to think Tom’s decision to forego years of salary contracted and perhaps extended but on less, helps secure Bruce & Keath, and Tom’s pay back allows the acquisition of Treloar. Just an amazing change by one decision by one player to retire. And we still have a Pick 1 KPF on the list in any event.

Thinking of Tom himself, thank god he realised that AFL footy wasn’t making him happy. 2020 with pay disputes and hubs away from family would’ve been a living nightmare. So rare an event in life when everyone walks away genuinely happy.

Humble as ever I see.

[jeemak]

It's irrational but there's something in the back of my mind/ thinking that believes Tom isn't lost to Australian Rules Football. He's 25 now, has his life ahead of him and as much as leaving the game when he did was right at the time for some reason it didn't feel final to me.

Most likely I'm wrong, but there's just something there (and maybe it's just me).

[Topdog]

He looks happy to be out of the game so i don't see it but things can certainly change quickly.

[The Doctor]

It's irrational but there's something in the back of my mind/ thinking that believes Tom isn't lost to Australian Rules Football. He's 25 now, has his life ahead of him and as much as leaving the game when he did was right at the time for some reason it didn't feel final to me.

Most likely I'm wrong, but there's just something there (and maybe it's just me).

Have been thinking the same.

I wonder!

Wonder if the club is.

[bulldogtragic]

Interesting, as Tom would be an SSP selection and guaranteed to come back free of drafts, except his salary which you’d think he would want headlines about the size. Tom rucking 65/35 forward to Tim 35/65 forward is fun to think about. Probably the best cheap ruckman after Martin retires.

But he seems happier these days and probably doesn’t miss the back injuries either. 2.5 years is a long time out of the game. Out of sheer curiosity, I wonder how long it takes to get full fitness for AFL, plus touch back and brought up to speed on tactics and the way the game is played now.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Interesting, as Tom would be an SSP selection and guaranteed to come back free of drafts, except his salary which you’d think he would want headlines about the size. Tom rucking 65/35 forward to Tim 35/65 forward is fun to think about. Probably the best cheap ruckman after Martin retires.

But he seems happier these days and probably doesn’t miss the back injuries either. 2.5 years is a long time out of the game. Out of sheer curiosity, I wonder how long it takes to get full fitness for AFL, plus touch back and brought up to speed on tactics and the way the game is played now.

I don't think he's any chance of coming back. I remember his interview on the Barkly St Podcast some time ago, and it really seemed to me from his responses that he had a realisation that the life of an AFL footballer with all of its controls upon all aspects of your life it entails, was just incongruent with how he wanted to live.

[bornadog]

I don't think he's any chance of coming back. I remember his interview on the Barkly St Podcast some time ago, and it really seemed to me from his responses that he had a realisation that the life of an AFL footballer with all of its controls upon all aspects of your life it entails, was just incongruent with how he wanted to live.

He is keeping pretty busy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-boyd-5388b9123/

[Rocket Science]

It's irrational but there's something in the back of my mind/ thinking that believes Tom isn't lost to Australian Rules Football. He's 25 now, has his life ahead of him and as much as leaving the game when he did was right at the time for some reason it didn't feel final to me.

Most likely I'm wrong, but there's just something there (and maybe it's just me).

Ahhh the pangs of unfulfilled promise ... not withstanding being BOG in a flag winning side of course.