Western Bulldogs premiership star and former No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd retires from AFL, aged 23

Western Bulldogs big man Tom Boyd has retired from the AFL. The 2016 premiership star says the physical and mental battle had become too much, and his grateful club says he’s more than paid his way.

Western Bulldogs premiership star Tom Boyd has retired from the AFL.

Boyd, who famously helped the club snap its premiership drought in 2016, today revealed he no longer had the desire to play at the top level, citing the physical and mental battle he had faced in recent seasons.

Selected by GWS with pick 1 in the 2013 national draft, he was poached by the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2015 on a seven-year, $7 million deal.

The 23-year-old today met the club with manager Liam Pickering, where it was resolved his 2019 salary would be reduced and that payments previously agreed for 2020 and 2021 would be cancelled.

He played a starring role in the 2016 decider against Sydney, his final-quarter goal and celebration one of the iconic images from the match.

Boyd, who last played at AFL level in Round 18 last year, will finish his career on 61 matches.

“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.

"The stadium holds it's breath... it's a goal!"

Thank you for helping fulfil our dreams.#MightyWest pic.twitter.com/4c5kJZIHgj

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 16, 2019

“I’ve spoken with key people at the Western Bulldogs and my close friends and family, and I am satisfied that this is the right decision for my future. I approached the club about my desire to retire and be released from my contract this week, and we have worked out a mutually agreeable position.

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“I’m grateful to both to the Giants and the Bulldogs for allowing me the opportunity to experience playing football at the highest level.

“I have received unbelievable support from the players, coaches and staff at the Western Bulldogs, particularly over the last couple of years, which I will always appreciate.

Tom Boyd celebrates his massive goal in the 2016 grand final. Pic: Getty Images

“Leaving the game as a premiership player is something I will always be proud of, along with all the enduring relationships I have forged and the memories I have created along the way.”

The Bulldogs, who have already farewelled another premiership hero in Liam Picken this season, could now select another player in the mid-season draft on May 27.

Boyd’s retirement will also free up considerable salary cap room, allowing the Bulldogs to offer more cash in the hunt for trade and free agency targets.

“The discussions we’ve been having with him over the last week have been really open, and he’s been really open with us and approached us around that,” Bulldogs director of football Chris Grant said on Thursday afternoon.

Plenty having their say on Tom Boyd. Well, this was Luke Beveridge minutes after the 2016 Grand Final.

Asked if Boyd had graduated, Bevo said:

“He can graduate, and he can go and throw his hat, and he can never come back and not play another game,”

“He was unbelievable.” 🎓

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) May 16, 2019

Grant said after lengthy discussions with his family, manager and the club, Boyd had decided it was time to move on to the next phase of his life.

“I guess that nature of it came as a bit of a surprise to us, but when you actually look back at what he’s been going through over a period of time, it’s also not a surprise.”

Grant said as Boyd weighed up his future the issue of money had never been raised by either party.

“Naturally when that decision is made you then have to have a discussion about that ... what’s also really important to press is that the monetary part of it, Tom was incredibly open and very proactive in putting across to us that there was no expectations about continuing to pay him post the end of the 2019 season.”

Tom Boyd at Bulldogs training. Pic: Wayne Ludbey

Grant acknowledged in addition to Boyd’s physical challenges, his highly-publicised contract had also been a factor for the youngster, who wanted to “be the best he could be”.

“I think what we’ve all come to realisation of is regardless of the size of a player’s contract, regardless of how he’s been able to deliver to that dollar figure or not, the reality is that what Tom’s been able to deliver us over the last four years has been incredibly important part of helping us win our premiership in 2016,” he said.

“Regardless of whether a player is a rookie or on the highest-paid contract at a club, his influence in that finals series was enormous and in a lot of ways, he’s paid for that pretty well.”

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TOM BOYD: STAR DOG’S TIMELINE IN FOOTY

November, 2013: Boyd is drafted by GWS Giants with pick No.1 in the national draft from TAC Cup club Eastern Ranges.

April, 2014: Key forward Boyd makes his AFL debut for the Giants in a 65-point loss to Adelaide, recording five disposals, two marks and six hit outs.

October, 2014: Boyd requests a trade back to Melbourne, joining Western Bulldogs in a swap for Ryan Griffen and a first-round draft choice, which the Giants used on defender Caleb Marchbank.

April 2015: Boyd debuts for the Western Bulldogs in Round 1, kicking an important goal in a 10-point victory over West Coast.

June, 2016: Boyd suspended indefinitely by the Bulldogs after an incident involving teammate Zaine Cordy.

July, 2016: Boyd returns to the AFL side in a win against Gold Coast.

October, 2016: Boyd plays arguably the best game of his career in a drought-breaking grand final win, logging 14 disposals, 14 hit-outs and booting three goals.

July 2017: Boyd announces he will take a leave of absence from the Bulldogs due to mental health issues.

May, 2019: After 52 games with the Bulldogs and 61 career AFL matches, Boyd announces his retirement.