Tom Boyd

[Mantis]

I couldn't believe how many times either Danger or selwood had the ball tapped straight to them. They pretty much strolled out the centre with little pressure thrusting the ball forward putting our defenders under immediate pressure. Why we didn't have someone stand next to them is staggering.

We had no one who could run with them.. our mids as a group are bloody slow!

Liked Tom's game, will only improve when we get Roughy back too.

[Ozza]

Surely that puts him in the team of the week as a ruck.

Unless his direct opponent is picked in that position.

Don't get me wrong, I liked what I saw from Tom on Friday night - and the period that he wasn't rucking went a long way to us losing the game - it was good to see him take some marks and get a fair bit of the ball, But his direct opponent had more possession, hit outs and tackles - so it wasn't like Tom dominated his position.

Probably one of those rare occasions that opposing ruckman in a match both play pretty well.

[Bullies]

Agree with BT, he was excellent. He's spending far too much time in the ruck at the moment for mine though, he was really dangerous up front and we lost something without him there.
You will find when he plays forward and is one on one he gets pushed off the best defenders too easily as he is not strong enough in the legs. He is still learning the craft which is why they are putting so much work into him in the ruck. He will be more a ruckman than forward. When he played TAC he was so big that all he had to do was raise his hands and clunk them. At 21 to do what he is doing in the ruck he is being underestimated. Ruckman don't come good until 24/25.

[bornadog]

Unless his direct opponent is picked in that position.

Don't get me wrong, I liked what I saw from Tom on Friday night - and the period that he wasn't rucking went a long way to us losing the game - it was good to see him take some marks and get a fair bit of the ball, But his direct opponent had more possession, hit outs and tackles - so it wasn't like Tom dominated his position.

Probably one of those rare occasions that opposing ruckman in a match both play pretty well.

Zac Smith in team of the week, so spot on Ozza

[Scorlibo]

Unless his direct opponent is picked in that position.

Don't get me wrong, I liked what I saw from Tom on Friday night - and the period that he wasn't rucking went a long way to us losing the game - it was good to see him take some marks and get a fair bit of the ball, But his direct opponent had more possession, hit outs and tackles - so it wasn't like Tom dominated his position.

Probably one of those rare occasions that opposing ruckman in a match both play pretty well.

Yep. Zac Smith was hugely influential for them, especially in the last quarter. He recorded the second most player ratings points of any player in the league for the round (behind Dangerfield). From that perspective alone, Tom has to be marked down, but if he can produce the same again while having the awareness to really clamp down on the opposition ruckman when they get a run-on, he will be a great player for us for the rest of the season.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

If Roughead isn't back this week, we need to play Campbell.

Not his biggest fan, but it's more about supporting Boyd and allowing him to spend more time up forward, than it is about Campbell deserving games.

Redpath to make way.

[S Coast Simon]

Bevo not setting up for that, or the on-ground leaders not setting up for that was most telling. The arrogance of our club from a centre bounce set up in particular pretty much cost us the game (apart from the Cloke and Adams brain fades, of course).
I don't like to think I know better but I to think we are being a little arrogant not paying attention to opposition players. We have arguably the best tagger in Picken. He only needs to run with them the first quarter to help us get into the game. Once they are a bit quieter then release him a bit to win the game. It is all about learning from the coaches but there is no better learning tool than to learn how to be a winner. The game is still above the shoulders. Hawthorn won a lot of games before the ball had even been bounced such was their dominance. We are not that good yet but teams are very nervous playing the Doggies. They know they will need to bring their A game to beat us

[Cyberdoggie]

It was a much better effort. Looked a bit more assured of himself and played with more aggression.
I definitely thought he would choke on that shot for goal which was identical to the GWS one, and when it started way left and came back I fell off the couch.

[ratsmac]

I don't like to think I know better but I to think we are being a little arrogant not paying attention to opposition players. We have arguably the best tagger in Picken. He only needs to run with them the first quarter to help us get into the game. Once they are a bit quieter then release him a bit to win the game. It is all about learning from the coaches but there is no better learning tool than to learn how to be a winner. The game is still above the shoulders. Hawthorn won a lot of games before the ball had even been bounced such was their dominance. We are not that good yet but teams are very nervous playing the Doggies. They know they will need to bring their A game to beat us

I'd like to see a player like Picken to discern when a Dangerfield or Selwood are getting off the chain and make a executive decision to go try shut them down and run with them for a bit. I think thats what Bevo was alluding to in his presser after the game as well.

[LostDoggy]

Really hoping to see Tom spend a bit more time up forward this weekend considering the inclusion of young English!

[Ozza]

Really hoping to see Tom spend a bit more time up forward this weekend considering the inclusion of young English!

I think that both the inclusion of English, and also the amount of time that Cloke was given in the ruck last week - would indicate to me that Bevo is also keen for Boyd to spend more time forward than he had been.

I think that picking English for this game - where the Saints will almost exclusively play Longer in the ruck - is a reflection that Bevo thinks we can expose the saints around the ground in that position, given that Boyd and (particularly) English move better than Longer.

[Sedat]

I think that both the inclusion of English, and also the amount of time that Cloke was given in the ruck last week - would indicate to me that Bevo is also keen for Boyd to spend more time forward than he had been.

I think that picking English for this game - where the Saints will almost exclusively play Longer in the ruck - is a reflection that Bevo thinks we can expose the saints around the ground in that position, given that Boyd and (particularly) English move better than Longer.
Who did the 2nd ruck duties for St Kilda last week? Bruce usually does this but he's out of the team.

[jeemak]

Boyd will likely spend more time in the ruck this week than he has in previous weeks.

English named at CHF will only pull a few minutes here and there given Cloke and Red are out.

[comrade]

Who did the 2nd ruck duties for St Kilda last week? Bruce usually does this but he's out of the team.

Gilbert.

[Mantis]

Boyd will likely spend more time in the ruck this week than he has in previous weeks.

English named at CHF will only pull a few minutes here and there given Cloke and Red are out.

Is English even capable as a forward? I would've thought his light frame would be better suited in the ruck than up forward where he will be cannon fodder for Carlisle.

[1eyedog]

Is English even capable as a forward? I would've thought his light frame would be better in the ruck than up forward where he will be cannon fodder by Carlisle.

Exactly. If he's right to go maybe he'll spend more time in the ruck than we think?

[soupman]

Exactly. If he's right to go maybe he'll spend more time in the ruck than we think?

That's my thinking. Longer isn't a very physical ruckman, certainly isn't as strong as most others, and contributes practically nothing around the ground. Maybe the plan is to exploit him with the more mobile English.

Gilbert as a backup is hardly intimidating either.

Boyd spending more time forward hopefully keeps Carlisle there as Brown is too short, and hopefully we end up with Brown trying to play on our other forwards who are too quick for him. The only player I don't see him as a liability on is Smith. And Smith is probably a 33% chance of kicking multiple goals regardless of who his opponent is.

[Mofra]

Is English even capable as a forward? I would've thought his light frame would be better suited in the ruck than up forward where he will be cannon fodder for Carlisle.
We seem to have form with taking guys at the draft then developing them elsewhere.

ie Minson as a forward, developed as ruck
Lake as a forward, developed as a backman
Roughy as a ruck, developed as a FB
Dal as a small forward, now a mid
Smith as a mid, now a small forward

English did take 8 marks last week at VFL level but not sure where he took them or if any were sideways switches, except for the one mark and goal late in the game released as a vid.

[Ozza]

We seem to have form with taking guys at the draft then developing them elsewhere.

ie Minson as a forward, developed as ruck
Lake as a forward, developed as a backman
Roughy as a ruck, developed as a FB
Dal as a small forward, now a mid
Smith as a mid, now a small forward

English did take 8 marks last week at VFL level but not sure where he took them or if any were sideways switches, except for the one mark and goal late in the game released as a vid.

English took his marks all over the place. He took a pack mark on the back flank, he took a pack mark at the top of the goal square. He also took a couple of 'pressure' marks with a defender on his hammer playing as a forward but working up higher.

I've seen him play 3 times now live, and I think he has excellent hands, and his ability to mark or impact in packs belies his skinny frame. He's just so tall - that once those arms go out full stretch, he's a real handful.

[bulldogtragic]

I realised listening to the commentary yesterday, I've been mistakenly taking the words against Boyd as harsh. Carey, Brereton and the Fox Footy team keep saying how unacceptable it is dropping marks. But when McCartin kept dropping much easier marks yesterday, the FF commentary team were saying that it's not that bad McCartin dropping marks because 'at least he was getting to where the ball was, even if dropping marks. That's better than not being involved at all'.

So all the commentators must have been actually lauding Boyd for getting involved and into spots where the ball was going to be kicked, and I've mistaken it as criticism. There's no way they'd be hypocritical over two #1 pick KPFs development years/games.

[ratsmac]

I realised listening to the commentary yesterday, I've been mistakenly taking the words against Boyd as harsh. Carey, Brereton and the Fox Footy team keep saying how unacceptable it is dropping marks. But when McCartin kept dropping much easier marks yesterday, the FF commentary team were saying that it's not that bad McCartin dropping marks because 'at least he was getting to where the ball was, even if dropping marks. That's better than not being involved at all'.

So all the commentators must have been actually lauding Boyd for getting involved and into spots where the ball was going to be kicked, and I've mistaken it as criticism. There's no way they'd be hypocritical over two #1 pick KPFs development years/games.

The million dollar salary comes at a price. Jealous pricks having a pot shot at every opportunity.

[bulldogtragic]

The million dollar salary comes at a price. Jealous pricks having a pot shot at every opportunity.

Based on yesterday, McCartin won't be having that problem anytime soon.

[Ozza]

Based on yesterday, McCartin won't be having that problem anytime soon.

McCartin took 9 marks as the no.1 forward yesterday. He'll be a serious player.

[bornadog]

McCartin took 9 marks as the no.1 forward yesterday. He'll be a serious player.

and he could have had more marks, but his team mates delivery was poor at times.

[bulldogtragic]

and he could have had more marks, but his team mates delivery was poor at times.

He dropped a heap too. It's interesting how the drop marks of Paddy are good, but Tom's are bad.

[comrade]

McCartin got on the end of a few in junk time in the last quarter. He'll be a good player but they still made a big error picking him over Petracca.

The story apparently goes that they were spooked into picking the big forward due to the market price we created with the Boyd deal (ie it's cheaper to draft one now, than buy one later). The irony is their midfield is such a weakness, they're now putting up million dollar deals to players like Fyfe/Kelly/Martin.

[kruder]

He needs to come up at the footy more around the ground and forward which will enable his natural leap and massive frame to work to his advantage. I think with Roughead in the side it will not only allow him to spend more time forward but also give him more of a breather which should help with this. Currently he is waiting for the ball to come and generally gets pushed under the ball/ out muscled by his opponent. His core should improve with age.

In saying that I'm really enjoying his improvement as a footballer, his game sense when the ball is on the ground is fantastic for a big man and his effort has been really consistent this year. I was watching him in the warm up yesterday and he was absolutely focused on the job at hand which gives you faith that his game will eventually come together.

Ill take Boyd over fatty patty, a Ruck/Forward is absolute gold if you can find one.

[Topdog]

Not close to his best yesterday but an OK day capped off nicely with the goal in the last.

[hujsh]

Not close to his best yesterday but an OK day capped off nicely with the goal in the last.

Showed good hands in traffic a few times too yesterday which is somethings that he's been better at as time goes on

[craigsahibee]

With Roughy back, keep an eye on young Tom. Just sayin'

[always right]

He needs to come up at the footy more around the ground and forward which will enable his natural leap and massive frame to work to his advantage. I think with Roughead in the side it will not only allow him to spend more time forward but also give him more of a breather which should help with this. Currently he is waiting for the ball to come and generally gets pushed under the ball/ out muscled by his opponent. His core should improve with age.

In saying that I'm really enjoying his improvement as a footballer, his game sense when the ball is on the ground is fantastic for a big man and his effort has been really consistent this year. I was watching him in the warm up yesterday and he was absolutely focused on the job at hand which gives you faith that his game will eventually come together.

Ill take Boyd over fatty patty, a Ruck/Forward is absolute gold if you can find one.

Yeah...he's pretty good when he gets his hands on the ball at ground level but there are times when he is a little slow to dispose of the ball. His recovery is also poor when he spills a mark. Definitely on an upward curve overall though.

[Topdog]

His ability to pick up the ball and get it out of traffic for such a big man is fantastic.

Unfortunately the youtube time shortcut doesnt work so fast forward to 1 minute 47 seconds (or enjoy the full 8 minutes)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96wQjV71vEk#t=01m47s

[Sedat]

The irony is their midfield is such a weakness, they're now putting up million dollar deals to players like Fyfe/Kelly/Martin.
If only they were able to get their hands on players like Bont and Petracca, oh wait ;)

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Boyd will be a better player with Roughy's return. Hasn't really recaptured his outstanding last year's Prelim and GF breakout games.

[bulldogtragic]

All this Tom Hawkin's love BS on Ch7.

Tom Hawkin's was adjudged to have his coming out party to establish himself as a genuine KPF talent on GF 2011. His 79th game.

Tom Boyd has ticked up 48 games thus far. So he's got 31 games up his sleeve on Hawkins, or around the GF next year to be a consistent KPF with ruck as an extra string to his bow.

[Rocket Science]

While this touches somewhat on a certain scribe's shitty recent conduct, I was loath to add it to that thread.

https://image.ibb.co/jMRtDo/Screen_Shot_2018_07_24_at_3_51_13_PM.png (https://imgbb.com/)

Brave of the big bloke, though the timing and chosen platform's a bit of a head scratcher to say the least.

The same mob that employs Barrett no less.

I half-suspect they've randomly door-stopped him and are turning a throw-away line into an 'exclusive'.

[divvydan]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/couldn-t-sleep-couldn-t-train-boyd-opens-up-on-mental-health-issues-20180724-p4zt7t.html

Gives some more details about it and why he's talking about it now.

[bulldogtragic]

Good for you Tom. Good on you Tom.

[The Pie Man]

Feels good to know he's doing well today - get the sense he's a decent man, and I'm happy we backed him in.

The 2016 finals 'papering over the cracks' narrative could probably apply to the club as a whole...

[josie]

Bravo Tom. Really liked how he made a point that mental health issues are a challenge for lots of people from all walks of life.

[The bulldog tragician]

It is part of a wider Headspace campaign. I feel very proud that he has done this and it is good to hear that the club were supportive when he needed it the most. It helps us all to remember what pressures are on these young men. I'm sure it will help many young guys to realise that if 'heroes' who seem to have it all can still experience all these fears and emotions, it's ok for them to do so too. Well done Tom.

[craigsahibee]

Couldn't be more proud of Tom as a Bulldog.

2016 Heroics aside, I'm just rapt that he is one of us.

[ledge]

I wonder how that certain scribe feels now ? Doesn't look good at all.
I know I suffered it when younger, it's a fight you didn't mention or understand 30 years ago, thank god it's out there now and everyone's aware of it.
The so called scribe is what we would call a bully and the brain of a pea to keep up the jibes while Tom was going through this.
And still up to last week he continues the assault on poor Tom who as a kid didn't provoke any of it and he has probably never met.

[Dry Rot]

Interesting insight from Lobb that applies to Boyd?


RORY Lobb's decision to choose Fremantle over West Coast was influenced by greater opportunity to play his preferred forward-ruck role, and the ex-Giant is embracing the pressure to help fill the big man void in the Dockers' attack....

"I rose to try to take that ruck role when Dawson Simpson went down (with an ankle) late in the season, but definitely see myself as a forward-ruck," he said.

"I just see myself being more effective as a forward.

"I felt like when I was in the ruck you're wrestling in the stoppages the whole time, I lose that bit of running and flying for my marks."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-31/rory-lobb-reveals-why-he-chose-dockers-over-eagles

[chef]

Interesting insight from Lobb that applies to Boyd?


http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-31/rory-lobb-reveals-why-he-chose-dockers-over-eagles

If only Tom had hands like Lobb.

[GVGjr]

Interesting insight from Lobb that applies to Boyd?


http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-31/rory-lobb-reveals-why-he-chose-dockers-over-eagles

I think we would all agree that if Boyd rucks for more than 20% of the game it will have an impact to his performances up forward but that is the modern game now and he just has to adapt.

[Hotdog60]

'I'd do it 100 times over': Boyd's raw account of life in the spotlight

https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2020/05/17/23035a8b-ff18-48c2-a46c-41257b9e5110/R020819MW0059.JPG?width=952&height=592

TOM BOYD would go through it all again. The scrutiny and the pressure for the glory. The sleepless nights and the mental health challenges. All the ups and downs of an AFL career that accrued the ultimate prize.

Boyd was one of the most scrutinised players in the game after accepting a $7 million, seven-year deal as a teenager to move from Greater Western Sydney to the Western Bulldogs.

The now 27-year-old shocked the football world when he retired at the age of 23, leaving millions on the table.

Boyd appeared like he had everything anyone could ever want. He was selected with pick No.1 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, before playing a pivotal role in ending the Dogs' 62-year premiership drought in 2016.

https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2022/08/26/e12d93b8-e3e2-47ca-ba5f-ab5baedf7882/14WBNM18QR0251.JPG?width=1064&height=600

But perception wasn't reality. Boyd has battled inner turmoil from the moment he arrived at the Giants, and it never went away, not even after he dominated on Grand Final day.

"100 per cent I would (do it all again). I think the perspective that a lot of people have of my recollection of my career is it was all negative. That's certainly not the case," Boyd told AFL.com.au this week following the release of his memoir Nowhere to Hide.

"The things that we categorise as life goals or the things that we can really be happy about, I had it all. I had the money, had the fame, had the on-field success – at least around 2016 – and I had the notoriety. I even had the family at home and I had the support network. I literally had everything you would want if you were writing up a life plan.

https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2022/08/26/e8669256-c234-4b2f-ba8d-0dd8bc3fadf8/AA010319SB0733.JPG?width=1064&height=600

"But on the flipside, I also had an enormous amount of insecurity and stress and of course the mental health challenges I had throughout my career. I think that really is the essence of what the book is trying to get at, which is we tell ourselves as people that we are unique – and we are.

"But the problem with thinking you're unique is thinking that no one is going to be able to understand you, or at least that's the way I put it into my mind. I am so unique based on x, y, and z, so how can anyone possibly understand what I’m going through?

"The completely non-unique part of being human is we all struggle with different things in our lives. That struggle and triumph, the things that are good and the things that are bad, is relatively consistent across the board when it comes to people and how they emotionally experience life. I would go through it again and I would do it 100 times over."

High draft picks are routinely tempted by the lure of more money and the opportunity to live at home. Adam Cerra was enticed back to Melbourne last year. Izak Rankine has just submitted a trade request back to South Australia. They were taken inside the first five picks, like Boyd, and are just two of a litany of examples of top-end talent taking matters into their own hands.

Boyd believes players – especially top-end talent – should have the right to make decisions that will set them up for life, even if he knows that was part of the reason people were so affronted by his move to the Whitten Oval.

"I think the element of my deal that really irked people with my deal was the million-dollar a year tag is an echelon of deals that says this is the big thing, think 'Dusty' (Dustin Martin) or 'Buddy' (Lance Frankiin) and the money they're on," Boyd said.

"The thing that my deal represented that really irked people was my deal represented the first deal that went against the football loyalists of the world. Forever and a day, you basically get told that you should be loyal to the football club that drafted you, which to a degree I think is important.

"But what that fails to recognise, particularly if you go at the pointy end of the draft, there's 18 clubs that would select you. For me to get to the best outcome, I had to force my way out of the Giants to get to the Bulldogs. That probably represented the first of quite a few that have happened since where players are held to ransom to the weight of public perception.

"I'll never complain about players of whatever age going and securing the money that they want. I did. If you have the opportunity to change your life for the better, then that for me is a no-brainer."

By the time Boyd announced his decision to depart the AFL in May 2019, his mental health challenges were well documented. He had spent time away from the club dealing with clinical depression, panic attacks, anxiety and insomnia among other issues.

But it was more than that. Boyd simply didn't want to endure a vocation he didn't enjoy any longer. He had put up and shut up for years, but he couldn't do it any longer, walking away from the game and negotiating a termination of his lucrative contract.

"Probably the most miscategorised part of my journey is my retirement. I think in part it was the way it was messaged. It's just easier and more efficient if you bundle everything into the one bucket. But if you actually read my statement in my retirement, there are a number of things in there and there is one line that says 'making a decision for the long-term health of physical and mental wellbeing'. That's what everyone ran with. He's retiring because of his mental challenges," he said.

https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2022/08/26/6b88f655-2aee-4395-a368-f99b649cf6b9/03FrWB17DC1172.JPG?width=1064&height=600

"But realistically, by the time I got to the end, I wasn't in love with playing footy anymore and I hadn't been for a few years. When I was doing the mental calculus of will I stay or go? I looked at the situation very pragmatically and thought I am taking the salary of three or four players. That was essentially the math. Four guys can't live out their dream if I'm here. That's fine if I'm committed and want to see the long term success of my own career. I didn't want that anymore.

"To walk away was the only authentic thing I could do. To walk away and leave the money was really important to me. I think a lot of players stay and hang on just for the money. I didn't want to leave with bad relationships."

https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2022/08/26/d7705c11-17eb-4878-8631-1541c8dd83a0/P1GWWB16MW1998_best.JPG?width=1064&height=600

When Melbourne went into lockdown in 2020, Boyd spent much of that winter putting pen to paper. The words poured out of him. He wrote 80,000 of them before taking the manuscript to a publisher and sitting down with an editor.

After a long process, Nowhere to Hide was published last month, detailing Boyd's rise through the ranks to the No.1 pick, documenting a career that reached great heights but also dealt with personal despair along the way.

Boyd is now a mental health advocate and keynote speaker, leaving his mark on suburban sporting clubs around the state, progressing conversations to help remove the stigma attached to these issues.

LINK (https://www.afl.com.au/news/830066/-i-d-do-it-100-times-over-boyd-s-raw-account-of-life-in-the-spotlight)

[EasternWest]

I read his book, thought it was pretty good.

I think he skated over a few things that could've been delves a bit deeper into, but I really appreciated the fact that he was completely open with what was going on inside his head.

I would hop such raw honesty might show some others who are battling things that can't be seen that they're not alone in feeling that way.

He seems a really decent man.

Edit: less sure about his brothers in law, but nothing he can do about that.

[The bulldog tragician]

I’ve read it too. I think it’s very interesting and insightful on the mental health challenges. And in particular the pressure to play hurt, very early on in his career he had injuries which required surgery but was instead taped up/jabbed up to keep him out on the field.

But it is probably written a bit early for it to be a really honest picture of his time at the Bulldogs. We barely get a line or two on Bob Murphy, for example, no really clear picture of Bevo with his faults, idiosyncrasies and genius, and he’s not spilling the beans on any of his team-mates.

In contrast I’ve been enjoying listening to Tom on the podcast with Danny McGillvray where he shows a sense of humour, is self deprecating and real, and gives thoughtful insights and reflections and some of the insider stuff we all pine for…his comments when they watched the 2016 PF together really opened my eyes to new things…how fantastic Bont’s goal was in the circumstances; how so many of the little things we had trained for, and trained for; just how fatigued they were in the last quarter with burning legs that felt like concrete. Maybe it’s inevitable that in book form, Tom is less frank and open.

One thing I hated to read was the behaviour of some “supporters”..pushing aside his girlfriend to get selfies with him; a drunk coterie person who insulted him by saying he never rated him even while he drooled all over him; and just the fickleness of some fans.

It’s a good read, but you feel there is even more that could be said.

[bornadog]

What a shame he wasn't still playing

[EasternWest]

I’ve read it too. I think it’s very interesting and insightful on the mental health challenges. And in particular the pressure to play hurt, very early on in his career he had injuries which required surgery but was instead taped up/jabbed up to keep him out on the field.

But it is probably written a bit early for it to be a really honest picture of his time at the Bulldogs. We barely get a line or two on Bob Murphy, for example, no really clear picture of Bevo with his faults, idiosyncrasies and genius, and he’s not spilling the beans on any of his team-mates.

In contrast I’ve been enjoying listening to Tom on the podcast with Danny McGillvray where he shows a sense of humour, is self deprecating and real, and gives thoughtful insights and reflections and some of the insider stuff we all pine for…his comments when they watched the 2016 PF together really opened my eyes to new things…how fantastic Bont’s goal was in the circumstances; how so many of the little things we had trained for, and trained for; just how fatigued they were in the last quarter with burning legs that felt like concrete. Maybe it’s inevitable that in book form, Tom is less frank and open.

One thing I hated to read was the behaviour of some “supporters”..pushing aside his girlfriend to get selfies with him; a drunk coterie person who insulted him by saying he never rated him even while he drooled all over him; and just the fickleness of some fans.

It’s a good read, but you feel there is even more that could be said.

Actually agree with all this, more well said than I could manage.

I'll be having a word to Danny about his surname. I think McGillvray is much better than McGinlay.

[The bulldog tragician]

Actually agree with all this, more well said than I could manage.

I'll be having a word to Danny about his surname. I think McGillvray is much better than McGinlay.

I’d like to blame autocorrect…but…

[bulldogtragic]

Tommy breaks down the silliness of the question after all these years still, on trade radio:

"If you were 18 years old and a club offered you $1 million bucks, what would you do?”

I think it’s a rhetorical question, but being people are still talking about the contract, maybe not?