Tom Boyd pulled off an epic falcon

EVERYONE stop. Don’t bother sending in anymore entries for footy’s best falcon, because Tom Boyd of the Western Bulldogs just won.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Tom Boyd of the Bulldogs eyes the ball during AFL Round 4 match between the Carlton Blues and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on April 16, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

SOMETIMES footballers are accused of being dumb, but at least nobody can accuse Tom Boyd of not using his head.

The Western Bulldogs forward produced an hilarious play in his side’s win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night when he momentarily forgot you were actually allowed to use your hands in a game of AFL.

The 20-year-old ran towards the pack when a Carlton clearing kick soared past their defensive 50 with just a couple of minutes left in the first quarter, no doubt with thoughts of taking a mark and launching another attacking raid.

But things didn’t go exactly to plan. At least, we think this wasn’t part of his plan.

As the forward charged towards the ball’s landing area he realised it was coming down to him a lot quicker than he’d anticipated. So he closed his eyes, turned his head and braced himself.

The ball banged him straight on the noggin and sailed at least a good 30 metres, ending up over the boundary line.

It looked entirely intentional, as if he were a soccer defender clearing a corner. He didn’t even put his hands up. Maybe he’s eyeing a code switch in time for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and just wanted to get some extra practice in.

Tom Boyd should be expecting a call from Ange Postecoglou... #AFLBluesDogs https://t.co/4uMpiRbbqU

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) April 16, 2016

Sorry Kanye, but Tom Boyd has the greatest falcon of all time... All time https://t.co/kDrND975Nd

— Cam Want (@camwant) April 16, 2016

That falcon by Tom Boyd was quality in the first quarter as well 👌👌👌

— Christian Bertacco (@Tarco_Bell_Ski) April 16, 2016

That Tom Boyd falcon was something else

— GINGLEBURG (@amardillogoat33) April 16, 2016

Tom Boyd that is the best falcon ever keep you eyes on the ball #AFLBluesDogs

— Tommie jones (@Tommiejones19) April 16, 2016

Falcon of the year by Tom Boyd @FOXFOOTY #Bounce

— Craig B (@cragglerock70) April 16, 2016

In amongst the humour there was some bad news for the Dogs, who lost young gun Jason Johannisen to a hamstring injury.

It comes a week after they lost captain and defensive general Bob Murphy for the rest of the season with a knee injury that will need a reconstruction.

Johannisen snapped a goal from outside 50 nine minutes into the third term of the 13.7 (85) to 7.7 (49) win.

But he immediately clutched the top of the back of his right leg and was in distress as he limped from the field.

Johannisen has blazing speed and had been one of the Bulldogs’ best in their 3-1 start to the season.

Boyd also came off in the last term with a shoulder injury.

Murphy was a spectator as the Bulldogs’ superior skill propelled them to a 51-point lead in the third quarter.

Any errors from the young Carlton side were pounced on and often ended up as turnover goals.

The free kick count also infuriated Blues fans — at one point in the third term it was 23-5 in the Bulldogs’ favour and ended up 30-13 for the match.

It was a physical clash, with Bulldogs on-baller Lin Jong reported for high contact on Patrick Cripps.

Blues captain Marc Murphy spent plenty of time off the field in the second half because of a head gash.

Carlton closed out the game well, reducing the lead to 43 points at three-quarter time and winning the last quarter.

Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter and defender Shane Biggs were their best, while GWS recruit Lachie Plowman shut down star forward Jake Stringer in his first game for Carlton.

— with AAP

Originally published as Tom Boyd pulled off an epic falcon