EFL 2019: Tom Boyd’s clearance to Norwood approved

The path has been cleared for Tom Boyd to play local football at Norwood this year after his clearance to the Eastern Football League club was approved.

Tom Boyd could play for Norwood in the second half of the year. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Tom Boyd’s potential return to Norwood is one step closer.

A clearance for the 23-year-old was approved on Tuesday, paving the way for the Western Bulldogs premiership player to pull on the boots in the Eastern Football League.

Boyd started training with the Norsemen on Tuesday night but will need medical approval from the AFL if he decides to play.

The clearance means Boyd is registered to Norwood but he is yet to sign a contract.

Norwood president Mark Etherington said the club wanted to lodge the transfer before the June 30 deadline.

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“All we’ve done is made sure the paperwork is finalised, which leaves the door open for that to take place should he elect to do so,” Etherington said.

“Is he playing anytime soon? The opportunity clearly exists but there is no expectation or pressure. Is there a likelihood that it will happen this year? Look, never say never. I’d like to think so.

“If he’s enjoying having a run around with us at the moment and training with us, you never know.”

Etherington said there was still more paperwork to complete should Boyd want to play again this year.

“It’s not just the decision now, there’s still more steps,” he said.

“I indicated that a little while ago, this is one of many steps for an exiting AFL player that was contracted.”

Boyd’s last game was for Footscray in the VFL on May 12 before he announced his retirement from the elite level, citing the physical and mental toll the sport had taken on him.

He played 61 games across six seasons at GWS and the Western Bulldogs.

Boyd played junior football at Norwood and his family is involved with the club.

“My decision to retire now is a reflection of issues I’ve had over the past five years both with physical injury and with mental health, and they have now accumulated to a point where I just don’t have the desire to play or the enjoyment of the game I used to have,” Boyd said in a Bulldogs press release last month.

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