Tom Boyd to make footy return for junior club

Retired Western Bulldogs premiership hero Tom Boyd will take his first steps back into competitive footy, six weeks after he quit the game at the elite level due to a mental health battle.

Former Western Bulldogs forward Tom Boyd will make his local football return on Saturday

when he debuts for junior club Norwood. 

The premiership hero will line up against North Ringwood in the Eastern Football League just six weeks after he retired from the AFL due to the physical and mental toll of the sport. 

Boyd had his final medical tests completed this week.

It’s less than three years since Boyd kicked what is regarded as the matchwinning goal in the 2016 grand final, ending the Western Bulldogs 62-year flag drought. 

Tom Boyd has handed in his Bulldogs kit and returned to his roots. Picture: Getty Images

Boyd played junior football for Norwood before he was recruited by GWS from Eastern Ranges as the No.1 pick in the 2013 draft. 

The 23-year-old’s family is involved with the club and he is a keen follower of the EFL Premier Division side, attending a handful of games this year. 

Boyd’s AFL registration was rescinded earlier this month and his clearance Norwood was

approved last week.

He first trained with Norwood last Tuesday. 

Boyd’s last AFL game was in Round 18 last year, playing four games in the VFL this season as he attempted a return from a back injury. 

He was considered unlucky to not be awarded the Norm Smith Medal in the 2016 grand final,

when he kicked three goals, took eight marks and collected 14 disposals. 

Two of the five Norm Smith judges adjudged him the best player on the ground. 

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Boyd was plucked from Norwood to play with the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup before he landed at the Giants, then Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

Boyd said last month his injuries and mental health issues meant he did not “have the desire to play or the enjoyment of the game I used to have”.

Norwood president Mark Etherington said earlier this month: “We’ve had communication with

Tom regarding his re-engagement with us … as he embarks on the next chapter post-AFL,” Etherington said.

“We see the ongoing benefits for Tom with any potential involvement at Norwood to be an

additional support, resource to that which exists at the Western Bulldogs.”

Norwood will confirm his selection on Thursday night.

Norwood will play North Ringwood at Quambee Reserve. The game starts at 2.10pm.