Bulldogs' focus back on field

[The Coon Dog]

Adam McNicol - AFL Website - 10 February

WESTERN Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd says he and his teammates have put their recent distractions behind them and remain firmly focused on the opening round of the NAB Cup.

The Bulldogs have been in the headlines since a video was released that showed some of their players skylarking in traffic on a post-season trip to Hong Kong.

However Boyd said the events hadn't interrupted the club's preparations for the season ahead.

"As a playing group and as a club we've dealt with that issue," Boyd said during the first day of the Dogs' Telstra AFL community camp in the western Victorian city of Horsham.

Article in full... (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/107606/default.aspx)

[Swoop]

Boyd really needs to try on work on how he presents himself in front of the camera, his past few interviews are as if he has had a lobotomy, hopefully he can develop his personality as he settles into the role.

[LostDoggy]

Boyd really needs to try on work on how he presents himself in front of the camera, his past few interviews are as if he has had a lobotomy, hopefully he can develop his personality as he settles into the role.

That ain't going to happen.

Good player but he's had a charisma by-pass

[Cyberdoggie]

Boyd really needs to try on work on how he presents himself in front of the camera, his past few interviews are as if he has had a lobotomy, hopefully he can develop his personality as he settles into the role.

Unfortunately that is Matthew Boyd.

You can't always get the complete package with your captain, and of the choices we had there was no one better.

At least we can savour in the fact that we know our captain will be busting his gut and leading by example on the field.

[comrade]

At least we can savour in the fact that we know our captain will be busting his gut and leading by example on the field.

I'd much rather that, anyway. My first choice was Dale Morris and he makes Boydy sound like Jason Akermanis.

On field leadership > fluffy media spots.

[Murphy'sLore]

We can always wheel out Gia or Murphy if we need an articulate spokesman.

[LostDoggy]

He's pretty new to the position - perhaps he will get some media coaching? I guess I don't mind really - he doesn't have to be slick and smiley. He will lead by example on the field.....

[Mantis]

At least we can savour in the fact that we know our captain will be busting his gut and leading by example on the field.

Which of our previous captains hasn't been of this ilk? For what it's worth which of our senior & regular players don't play this way?

Personally I hope to see this captain concentrate on doing the little things well ( the 1% er's) which is the area in which we need the greatest improvement.

[Ghost Dog]

I'd much rather that, anyway. My first choice was Dale Morris and he makes Boydy sound like Jason Akermanis.

On field leadership > fluffy media spots.

LOL :D Dale Morris aka Robocop

[Sockeye Salmon]

Unfortunately that is Matthew Boyd.

You can't always get the complete package with your captain, and of the choices we had there was no one better.

At least we can savour in the fact that we know our captain will be busting his gut and leading by example on the field.

If he wasn't captain he would still be busting his gut on the field

[LostDoggy]

We can always wheel out Gia or Murphy if we need an articulate spokesman.

Murphy yes, but not so sure about Gia. During the NAB Cup GF acceptance speech I thought he was really un-natural and looked quite bad. Seemed to be trying way to hard to be stern, firm and Captain serious.

[Go_Dogs]

Which of our previous captains hasn't been of this ilk? For what it's worth which of our senior & regular players don't play this way?

Personally I hope to see this captain concentrate on doing the little things well ( the 1% er's) which is the area in which we need the greatest improvement.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that our previous captains haven't been of that ilk. We certainly saw Johnno rise to the occasion time and time again. It would also be very unfair to suggest any of our players don't play that way - however there are a few guys who can probably improve their ability to consistently grab games by the neck and drag them our way.

I recall fondly one game (can't remember the opponent or year, it's Friday and it's been a long day, and even longer week) where Boydy just threw himself into contests, laid tackles and threw everything at it to arrest the other sides momentum and bring it back into our favour late in the game. He has the ability, and hopefully with others are able to more consistently able to step up and assist, and Boydy can get back to doing more of the same as he's very much one of our best in this area when doing it.

Agree on your second point.

[AndrewP6]

Murphy yes, but not so sure about Gia. During the NAB Cup GF acceptance speech I thought he was really un-natural and looked quite bad. Seemed to be trying way to hard to be stern, firm and Captain serious.

I reckon that's just him, has come across that way whenever I speak to him.