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Western Bulldogs premiership defender Easton Wood says Tom Boyd simply isn’t in the form to break into the club’s AFL side at this stage.
The Bulldogs’ attacking structure has been under fire early in 2018, with coach Luke Beveridge’s radically different forward six compared to 2017 failing to fire in the opening two rounds of the season.
While the club’s fortunes turned after employing a more traditional forward setup in their win over Essendon on Sunday, the continued presence of the 2013 number one draft pick in the VFL has raised eyebrows across the competition.
However Wood, who himself was trialled unsuccessfully as a forward before returning to the backline in Round 3, says that the big money key forward simply isn’t in the form to warrant a place in the Dogs’ best 22 at this stage.
“Unfortunately he is not in the best 22 at the moment,” the Bulldogs skipper told SEN Breakfast.
“Obviously his best football is incredible and we want to get him back to that as soon as we possibly can. He’ll be a great help to our team at that level.
“It’s just a form thing. Sometimes you just can’t find it.”
Wood however says that Boyd is pushing towards a return to AFL football, backing him in to return to the form that saw him among the club’s best in their successful 2016 finals campaign.
“I’m sure one of the positive things we have seen is that Tommy is working hard at it. He is coming into training with an effort and application, he’s putting the work in,” he said.
“I’ve got no doubt it will turn for him.”
Boyd missed the majority of the second half of 2017 after taking personal leave due to mental health issues, however Wood says the whispers these issues are still holding the 22-year-old back from the top flight are simply speculation and nothing more.
Boyd will play his 50th AFL game the next time he is named in the Dogs’ AFL side.
He has kicked 44 goals in his career to date.
The Bulldogs’ attacking structure has been under fire early in 2018, with coach Luke Beveridge’s radically different forward six compared to 2017 failing to fire in the opening two rounds of the season.
While the club’s fortunes turned after employing a more traditional forward setup in their win over Essendon on Sunday, the continued presence of the 2013 number one draft pick in the VFL has raised eyebrows across the competition.
However Wood, who himself was trialled unsuccessfully as a forward before returning to the backline in Round 3, says that the big money key forward simply isn’t in the form to warrant a place in the Dogs’ best 22 at this stage.
“Unfortunately he is not in the best 22 at the moment,” the Bulldogs skipper told SEN Breakfast.
“Obviously his best football is incredible and we want to get him back to that as soon as we possibly can. He’ll be a great help to our team at that level.
“It’s just a form thing. Sometimes you just can’t find it.”
Wood however says that Boyd is pushing towards a return to AFL football, backing him in to return to the form that saw him among the club’s best in their successful 2016 finals campaign.
“I’m sure one of the positive things we have seen is that Tommy is working hard at it. He is coming into training with an effort and application, he’s putting the work in,” he said.
“I’ve got no doubt it will turn for him.”
Boyd missed the majority of the second half of 2017 after taking personal leave due to mental health issues, however Wood says the whispers these issues are still holding the 22-year-old back from the top flight are simply speculation and nothing more.
Boyd will play his 50th AFL game the next time he is named in the Dogs’ AFL side.
He has kicked 44 goals in his career to date.
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