Tom Boyd

[Mofra]

Enjoy the win next week. Keep ducking and diving, and make sure to let the umpires get in on the club song at the end.

Solid melt.
I could bring up Dank or tainted Brownlows, but I'll just say - enjoy the game on Saturday

 

[nobbyiscool]

You know what I didn't see at Spotless? Fair umpiring.

Big mouth, the umpires have carried your team for the last month. They won the game for you.

Holy shit... An Essendon fan with GWS listed as an "other team" whinging about other teams getting unfair advantages.

Chief can close the whole forum down now.

We've reached peak Big Footy

 

[Mofra]

I also think Bevo sees Boyds future in the ruck, which is why they are targeting Cloke instead of a ruckman.

He seems earmarked for a both ruck forward role (which is actually a difficult position to fill at AFL level - not too many decent ones floating around) or a full tiem forward role depending on selection and match-ups.

Earlier in the season when Boyd was out we had Campbell & Roughy rucking with Redpath as a full time forward after Redpath had been providing ruck chop-outs last year. In time with a fit Campbell & Roughy, Boyd may well spend games as a full time forward.
He's been rucking as much by necessity as he is by desire.

 

[bird_man]

He seems earmarked for a both ruck forward role (which is actually a difficult position to fill at AFL level - not too many decent ones floating around) or a full tiem forward role depending on selection and match-ups.

Earlier in the season when Boyd was out we had Campbell & Roughy rucking with Redpath as a full time forward after Redpath had been providing ruck chop-outs last year. In time with a fit Campbell & Roughy, Boyd may well spend games as a full time forward.
He's been rucking as much by necessity as he is by desire.

As I said earlier, I just don't think he has the marking ability to become an elite forward. The forward/ruck role suits him a lot better as he can get around the ground pretty well for a big fella and find some space.

 

[Dogsman16]

As I said earlier, I just don't think he has the marking ability to become an elite forward. The forward/ruck role suits him a lot better as he can get around the ground pretty well for a big fella and find some space.

Agree he's gotta get better at marking. Absolutely no doubt about it. Otherwise as you said he'll end up in the main ruck role instead of the KPF/chop out ruck and instead Roughead will find himself playing KPF.

Roughead had pretty poor hands a couple of years ago and now it's his biggest strength. Hopefully boyd improves his marking to an above average level, because he has the brain, skills (kicking and handballing) and now the workrate to succeed in that role.

 

[Pannalstaroz]

As Tom's unoffical BF cheerleader, I think I'm qualified to say there is not a Dogs supporter alive who would claim Boyd is worth $1m per year at the moment, however there was more at play at the time we signed him than money. His improvement this year has been marked and ever since he and Bevo have entered the club things have blossomed. I couldn't care less how much he's being paid. If someone had told me 2 years ago that it would cost us $1m per year for 6 years to take Liam Jones back but we'd be guaranteed a Grand Final spot, I'd have done a calf running to sign the contract.

 

[Mofra]

As I said earlier, I just don't think he has the marking ability to become an elite forward. The forward/ruck role suits him a lot better as he can get around the ground pretty well for a big fella and find some space.

It's a tough one, he gets to the right spots and jumps at the right time, so many just don't stick. Just doesn't have the sticky hands so many elite marks have.
His ability by hand in close is fantastic for such a big guy, really good handballer which has helped him get involved in the play. Bevo doesn't rate hit-outs so work around the ground is what he wants from rucks (which is why he loves Roughy).

 

[JeffDunne]

This is not necessarily on Boyd but the Bulldogs forward line looks and performs a lot better when he's not there.

It's not just the forward structure but also the delivery into the F50 that improves.

Given their game style, I'm not sure they need a key position forward like Cloke (or Boyd for that matter).

 

[10571z]

As Tom's unoffical BF cheerleader, I think I'm qualified to say there is not a Dogs supporter alive who would claim Boyd is worth $1m per year at the moment, however there was more at play at the time we signed him than money. His improvement this year has been marked and ever since he and Bevo have entered the club things have blossomed. I couldn't care less how much he's being paid. If someone had told me 2 years ago that it would cost us $1m per year for 6 years to take Liam Jones back but we'd be guaranteed a Grand Final spot, I'd have done a calf running to sign the contract.

If you win next week and tom Boyd never touches the ball again in a game it will still be a success.

 

[Pannalstaroz]

If you win next week and tom Boyd never touches the ball again in a game it will still be a success.

Spot on.

Go Dogs.

 

[Mutt]

This is not necessarily on Boyd but the Bulldogs forward line looks and performs a lot better when he's not there.

It's not just the forward structure but also the delivery into the F50 that improves.

Given their game style, I'm not sure they need a key position forward like Cloke (or Boyd for that matter).

What a completely clueless contribution! Really? You continue to slag off on every thread you can find about the Bulldogs...all the while displaying your ignorance for all to see.

 

[JeffDunne]

What a completely clueless contribution! Really? You continue to slag off on every thread you can find about the Bulldogs...all the while displaying your ignorance for all to see.

Wow. Wet panties much?

Not sure how that post could be seen as slagging off or even remotely critical. Christ some Bulldogs fans are precious.

Besides, it's a fact & not an opinion. The Bulldogs forward line has been more efficient in recent games when Boyd is in the ruck. As I pointed out in that post it may have nothing to do with him so it wasn't even a criticism of him (i.e. the delivery is better too).

 

[Mutt]

Wow. Wet panties much?

Not sure how that post could be seen as slagging off or even remotely critical. Christ some Bulldogs fans are precious.

Besides, it's a fact & not an opinion. The Bulldogs forward line has been more efficient in recent games when Boyd is in the ruck. As I pointed out in that post it may have nothing to do with him so it wasn't even a criticism of him (i.e. the delivery is better too).

As I said Jeff - do us all a favour and stop stinking up every thread remotely related to the Bulldogs. The obsession you and a few of your St Kilda brethren have with the Western Bulldogs has gone beyond the laughable and is now a bit sad.

 

[The 747]

Wow. Wet panties much?

Not sure how that post could be seen as slagging off or even remotely critical. Christ some Bulldogs fans are precious.

Besides, it's a fact & not an opinion. The Bulldogs forward line has been more efficient in recent games when Boyd is in the ruck. As I pointed out in that post it may have nothing to do with him so it wasn't even a criticism of him (i.e. the delivery is better too).

Yeah it's interesting when you have a very big guy in the F50, your mids tend to just hack it somewhere in his vicinity, when you don't they have to think a little more.

 

[JeffDunne]

As I said Jeff - do us all a favour and stop stinking up every thread remotely related to the Bulldogs. The obsession you and a few of your St Kilda brethren have with the Western Bulldogs has gone beyond the laughable and is now a bit sad.

Well that's the third team I've been accused of being obsessed with this morning . . . so you'll need to get in line.

And "every thread"? This is the only thread on first page I've made comment on that is related to the Bulldogs. In fact it's only 1 of 2 threads.

As I said, you're too precious.

 

[JeffDunne]

Yeah it's interesting when you have a very big guy in the F50, your mids tend to just hack it somewhere in his vicinity, when you don't they have to think a little more.

Well it seems to be the case with the Bulldogs.

Maybe Geelong should have moved Hawkins into the ruck on Friday?

 

[Wild Bill]

As Tom's unoffical BF cheerleader, I think I'm qualified to say there is not a Dogs supporter alive who would claim Boyd is worth $1m per year at the moment, however there was more at play at the time we signed him than money. His improvement this year has been marked and ever since he and Bevo have entered the club things have blossomed. I couldn't care less how much he's being paid. If someone had told me 2 years ago that it would cost us $1m per year for 6 years to take Liam Jones back but we'd be guaranteed a Grand Final spot, I'd have done a calf running to sign the contract.

Agree - if it unsettled the side then it may have been an issue but the Dogs are flying and playing for each other.

He may not turn out to be the million dollar superstar but if you win next week who really cares anymore about the size of his contract.

 

[Pannalstaroz]

Well it seems to be the case with the Bulldogs.

Maybe Geelong should have moved Hawkins into the ruck on Friday?

Perhaps the Bruce, McCartin, Membrey and pinch hitting Riewoldt is a system which needs addressing.

Too tall.

Who goes?

Can Bruce support Hickey? Perhaps Longer and McCartin could forge a strong partnership at Sandy?

 

[JeffDunne]

Perhaps the Bruce, McCartin, Membrey and pinch hitting Riewoldt is a system which needs addressing.

Too tall.

Who goes?

Can Bruce support Hickey? Perhaps Longer and McCartin could forge a strong partnership at Sandy?

Not sure what that has to do with the Bulldogs & Boyd?

And FWIW, Bruce already does support Hickey.

 

[Wild Bill]

Dogs are preparing for their biggest game in 55 years and posters want to discuss if they have over paid a kid? This is an off season topic.

Just let the dogs soak in Grand Final week. It's a brilliant time for supporters.

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

Wow. Wet panties much?

Not sure how that post could be seen as slagging off or even remotely critical. Christ some Bulldogs fans are precious.

Besides, it's a fact & not an opinion. The Bulldogs forward line has been more efficient in recent games when Boyd is in the ruck. As I pointed out in that post it may have nothing to do with him so it wasn't even a criticism of him (i.e. the delivery is better too).

One word Billings!!!! LOL

 

[Sedat!]

Testament to his determination that he has significantly improved a skill set that effectively didn't exist prior to him being drafted less than 3 years ago. And at the exact moment we desperately needed him in that role he delivered a vitally important contribution that helped his team to win. It's not a sexy story for a highly paid #1 draft pick but it was no less important.

If others want to pursue the low hanging fruit and blindly follow the lazy scribes narrarive they are welcome to. I will greatly appreciate his effort in nullifying the one massive advantage that GWS had on the weekend.

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

As I said earlier, I just don't think he has the marking ability to become an elite forward. The forward/ruck role suits him a lot better as he can get around the ground pretty well for a big fella and find some space.

He has been carrying a bad shoulder all season if nobody had noticed, I suspect that impacts his ability to hold the marks

 

[Happy Mastenator]

If the Dogs had played this game 3 years ago before Tom Boyd arrived, their ruck going down would have seen the key forward move into the ruck against Mummy. That key forward was Liam Jones.

I think they're feeling ok with Boyd.

 

[Mofra]

Besides, it's a fact & not an opinion. The Bulldogs forward line has been more efficient in recent games when Boyd is in the ruck. As I pointed out in that post it may have nothing to do with him so it wasn't even a criticism of him (i.e. the delivery is better too).

Not true - our first game against North Melbourne we only had Stringer as a marking target there and we were absolutely murdered.
Since then we brought in Redpath off the back of poor VFL form simply for structure - we improved our F50 system markedly.

Our best forward structure and biggest scores have actually come during the finals, when Boyd is down there with Zaine Cordy splitting the tall defenders, save for one game late in the season where Boyd spent most of his time in the forward line to lead us for score involvements.

Cloke comes in and either replaces Cordy (who isn't a natural forward) and/or provides support to whichever ruck duo is playing that round, noting Campbell & Roughead were the combo for most of the year while Boyd was injured then getting back to fitness.