Tweet
Link
AFL GREAT Wayne Carey has defended Western Bulldogs youngster Tom Boyd amid criticism the key forward's debut season at Whitten Oval has been underwhelming.
Boyd, who landed at the Dogs from GWS on a multi-million dollar contract during last year's trade period, has come under scrutiny from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd for his output so far in 2015.
Lloyd told Channel Nine the 2013 No.1 pick "gets knocked off the ball" and doesn't have enough "mobility and agility" compared to the premier key forwards of the competition.
Carey on the other hand, has liked what he's seen of the 201cm Eastern Ranges' product who turns 20 in August.
"In the games I have seen him play, I've been impressed with Tom because of his competitiveness," Carey told AFL.com.au
"He very rarely gets out-marked and that side of his game has been quite good.
"So I wouldn't be too critical of him in his first full season because he was always going to take time."
Brought to the Bulldogs to kick goals, Boyd has kicked 16 from 14 appearances in 2015 while his 18 contested marks ranks him equal 19th in the League.
But Carey, arguably the best key forward the game has seen, says the round 12 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee's season shouldn't be judged on stats or his massive contract.
"I don't look at how many goals he's kicked, I don't look at how many marks he's taken, what I look at is how he competes and from that side of things I think he's been good value for the Doggies," said Carey.
"They know they've got a target who at the very least is going to bring the ball to ground and I think that's where he's been very good."
And Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson agrees with Carey's assessment, believing Boyd's presence in attack has helped the Dogs' small forwards immeasurably.
"He's a young man that's learning the ropes in his second year and I think people treat him a bit too harshly," said Dickson.
"We just expect a contest and with Tom crashing the packs and bringing the ball to ground it brings guys like Luke Dahlhaus and myself into the game.
"But if you're having a quiet day like every forward does, it's good to get around the ball (the ruck) and he did have impact in the second half against Geelong on the weekend."
AFL GREAT Wayne Carey has defended Western Bulldogs youngster Tom Boyd amid criticism the key forward's debut season at Whitten Oval has been underwhelming.
Boyd, who landed at the Dogs from GWS on a multi-million dollar contract during last year's trade period, has come under scrutiny from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd for his output so far in 2015.
Lloyd told Channel Nine the 2013 No.1 pick "gets knocked off the ball" and doesn't have enough "mobility and agility" compared to the premier key forwards of the competition.
Carey on the other hand, has liked what he's seen of the 201cm Eastern Ranges' product who turns 20 in August.
"In the games I have seen him play, I've been impressed with Tom because of his competitiveness," Carey told AFL.com.au
"He very rarely gets out-marked and that side of his game has been quite good.
"So I wouldn't be too critical of him in his first full season because he was always going to take time."
Brought to the Bulldogs to kick goals, Boyd has kicked 16 from 14 appearances in 2015 while his 18 contested marks ranks him equal 19th in the League.
But Carey, arguably the best key forward the game has seen, says the round 12 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee's season shouldn't be judged on stats or his massive contract.
"I don't look at how many goals he's kicked, I don't look at how many marks he's taken, what I look at is how he competes and from that side of things I think he's been good value for the Doggies," said Carey.
"They know they've got a target who at the very least is going to bring the ball to ground and I think that's where he's been very good."
And Bulldogs forward Tory Dickson agrees with Carey's assessment, believing Boyd's presence in attack has helped the Dogs' small forwards immeasurably.
"He's a young man that's learning the ropes in his second year and I think people treat him a bit too harshly," said Dickson.
"We just expect a contest and with Tom crashing the packs and bringing the ball to ground it brings guys like Luke Dahlhaus and myself into the game.
"But if you're having a quiet day like every forward does, it's good to get around the ball (the ruck) and he did have impact in the second half against Geelong on the weekend."
Comment