The Western Bulldogs will have over a million dollars extra in their salary cap following the retirement of Tom Boyd

The Western Bulldogs will have over a million dollars extra in their salary cap to entice opposition players during this year’s trade period following the retirement of Tom Boyd.

The Western Bulldogs will have over a million dollars extra in their salary cap to entice opposition players during this year’s trade period following the retirement of Tom Boyd.

The AFL said on Friday the Bulldogs would not have to honour the remainder of Boyd’s $7 million seven-year contract in its salary cap after the premiership forward agreed to cancel his 2020-21 payments.

It gives the Bulldogs an extra $1.5 million of cap space, while they also currently have the luxury of both their first and second-round picks to trade if they desired to.

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It is a different scenario to Sydney with Lance Franklin, as Boyd was traded to the Bulldogs while the Swans superstar went to the Harbour City as a restricted free agent.

If Franklin was to retire unexpectedly before his deal was up, it would still count in the Swans’ cap.

The Bulldogs came close to securing Chad Wingard during last year’s trade period, and this treasure trove of cash will go a long way towards helping them attract opposition targets to the kennel.

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It comes as clubs such as Collingwood face a series of challenging list management decisions in the coming months.

Boyd’s shock decision came as the Bulldogs prepare to face the Cats in Geelong on Saturday.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he was confident the emotional toll of Boyd’s retirement this week would not have a negative effect on the playing group.

“We’ve lived Tom’s journey for a long time and in many ways it’s probably not a surprise because we understand how difficult it is for him,” Beveridge said.

“I think even talking to Mitch Wallis yesterday, who’s extremely close to Tom, it’s not as big a surprise as is it for you guys because of the experience with him.

Mitch Wallis and Tom Boyd after the 2016 Grand Final. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I think they’ll be fine but obviously they feel for Tom and care for him, but Tom’s still with us and hopefully he has a bright future.

“The emotion should be intact and it shouldn’t get in the way of our performance against Geelong.”

Beveridge remained tight-lipped when asked for his thoughts on the MRO’s decision not to suspend Cats star Gary Ablett for a high elbow.

“I probably shouldn’t go there,” he said.

“I’d rather stay out it; there’s been enough commentary on it.”