05-16-2019, 07:25 AM
For someone who really talked up Tom Boyd in his draft year, I just don't know what to say. I was really taken back. However, as the thought sort of crystallizes into reality, I have a few thoughts:
[1] We were after him badly. I think we were very lucky we missed this particular bullet, especially since so many of our recruiting decisions form that time for so ordinary.
[2] We so rarely saw the best of this guy. His game in the GF that year was by far his best career game. How many people can say that? Not many at all.
[3] What does that say about the pressures on the modern player? Here was a guy being paid a fortune each year on one of the longest term contracts going around, and yet he finishes up so early. Is the pressure on young players more these days? Or is it something else?
[4] I feel for the Dogs: they paid a lot for this guy and have been left holding the back. I guess they are lucky that the mid-season draft is there to be able to get another player. However, what does that do to their salary cap?
[5] Tom obviously has some issues. I hope he gets what he needs to be able to live 'normally' (whatever that may be). I don't like seeing players getting these issues, but at least he was willing to come out with them. So many others keep their issues inside them until some sort of disaster happens. Alas, I speak from experience.
[6] Assuming the drive and the will returns after time doing whatever, will he want to play again a few years down the track? Would he put himself through that again? Would a club take the risk on someone who has already given the game away once? Would we look at him?
[7] In time, will he be considered the Ted Hopkins of the Bulldogs?
I must admit, when I think of Tom Boyd, I remember this kid who so dominated U18 footy that he probably got the wrong message about how hard it really is. He had a great pair of hands and other kids his age struggled to contain him. I can recall him simply dominating a game against the Pioneers, take mark after mark.
[1] We were after him badly. I think we were very lucky we missed this particular bullet, especially since so many of our recruiting decisions form that time for so ordinary.
[2] We so rarely saw the best of this guy. His game in the GF that year was by far his best career game. How many people can say that? Not many at all.
[3] What does that say about the pressures on the modern player? Here was a guy being paid a fortune each year on one of the longest term contracts going around, and yet he finishes up so early. Is the pressure on young players more these days? Or is it something else?
[4] I feel for the Dogs: they paid a lot for this guy and have been left holding the back. I guess they are lucky that the mid-season draft is there to be able to get another player. However, what does that do to their salary cap?
[5] Tom obviously has some issues. I hope he gets what he needs to be able to live 'normally' (whatever that may be). I don't like seeing players getting these issues, but at least he was willing to come out with them. So many others keep their issues inside them until some sort of disaster happens. Alas, I speak from experience.
[6] Assuming the drive and the will returns after time doing whatever, will he want to play again a few years down the track? Would he put himself through that again? Would a club take the risk on someone who has already given the game away once? Would we look at him?
[7] In time, will he be considered the Ted Hopkins of the Bulldogs?
I must admit, when I think of Tom Boyd, I remember this kid who so dominated U18 footy that he probably got the wrong message about how hard it really is. He had a great pair of hands and other kids his age struggled to contain him. I can recall him simply dominating a game against the Pioneers, take mark after mark.
Live Long and Prosper!