Jon Ralph discusses enormity of Tom Boyd, Ryan Griffen trade between GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs

THIS is bigger than Buddy. Never before have two teams hitched their wagon to a trade that has such consequences if it badly backfires.

AFL Rd 19 - Richmond v GWS

THIS is bigger than Buddy.

Never before have two teams hitched their wagon to a trade that will have such consequences if it backfires.

Sydney last year paid Franklin obscene sums, safe in the knowledge he would fire early but might be retired halfway through his deal.

GRIFFEN GONE AS DOGS SECURE BOYD

Yesterday, in yet another bombshell trade, Greater Western Sydney’s Tom Boyd became a $7 Million Man, Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen became a Giant, and GWS boss Dave Matthews looked like a goose.

That’s $7 million for a player who could turn into a star or could be another top 10 bust.

Consider the pressure on him next year as he fronts every membership billboard, has every training session scrutinised and is expected by fans to dominate from Round 1.

Just one year ago Tom Boyd was playing for the Eastern Ranges. Pic: Michael Klein.

All at 19, with nine games and eight goals under his belt.

That is nothing compared to the consequences for the Giants, who with one trade put themselves on a 12-month timeline that could decide the success or failure of their club.

They have extracted an unprecedented $1 million salary subsidy for Griffen (over four years) from the Bulldogs, but in agreeing to trade Boyd, they signalled to their bevy of homesick stars — many of them out of contract at the end of 2015 — that normal rules do not apply.

If you are homesick, you can go home. If we vow that you aren’t going anywhere — as Matthews repeatedly said of Boyd this week — it means nothing. If you are contracted, you can still go home.

Now the odds of Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel and Adam Treloar returning to Victoria next year are short.

Cameron already has put off talks until the new season, the jungle drums about Shiel are deafening and those who know Treloar won’t rule out him coming back, either.

GWS co-captain Phil Davis chats with Tom Boyd. Picture: Colleen Petch

So what GWS has done is give itself a year to be so successful with Griffen in the midfield that Cameron and Shiel will forget the precedent set yesterday. They have to hope in winning 8-10 games next year they will make those players so happy that they won’t recall how easy it was for Boyd.

If the Giants pull that off, who cares that Matthews backflipped so quickly and publicly? If they fail and the losses mount, the club’s entire recruiting strategy is at risk, because Cameron and Shiel and co. will be gone and the Giants will struggle to meet the AFL’s massive expectations.

Also out of contract next year are Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Devon Smith, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Matthew Buntine — the heart of this young side.

Outrage was easy to find yesterday. Some believed the Dogs had sold their soul by moving on their captain and coach within a week.

But we can hardly implore the Dogs to be bold and shoot for the stars with brave trades and then condemn them for doing just that.

Think of the membership sales, the beacon of hope Boyd provides, the target he becomes for Bontempelli, Liberatore and Hrovat.

But, just hope he can play, because even Tom Scully had more form when he was handed his $6 million, six-year deal.