Matthew Boyd Biography

Joel Corey will join Fremantle as a development coach in 2021, while Matthew Boyd has been appointed as Fremantle's defensive coach.

Draft prospect Fischer McAsey has grown up a lifelong Western Bulldogs fan and cites Matthew Boyd as being his inspiration.

"I was a really passionate fan with the Doggies when I was about five years old, and I'd just write letters to players in my spare time," McAsey said.

"I wrote one to Matthew Boyd and he wasn't a [really] popular player at the time and he wrote back and gave me a hat and scarf.

Ever since then we became pen pals and I met him at a few family days and things, which was nice. He did remember me from the letters so it was a good experience as a young kid.

"The impact you can have on young kids [is huge]. They look up to AFL players and he really inspired me, so I'd like to be an inspiration to young kids if I can get onto an AFL list."

Collingwood has locked in its 2020 coaching panel, with Matthew Boyd and Garry Hocking accepting new roles and former Cat Scott Selwood joining the team.

Selwood, 29, who left the Cats after four injury-riddled seasons and a total of 169 AFL games, has taken up a role in the Magpies' development academy.

Matthew Boyd, who spent his first two seasons developing the Pies' youngsters and working with the club's VFL team, will step up to take charge of team defence and the backline. The Western Bulldogs 2016 premiership star will attempt to fill the significant hole left by Justin Longmuir, who has been appointed coach of Fremantle.

Garry Hocking, previously the Pies' stoppage coach, will lead the club's VFL program following the departure of Jared Rivers to North Melbourne.

Josh Dunkley will wear retired Bulldog great Matthew Boyd's No.5 jumper in 2018.

"The player that he was, not only on field but off field as well," Dunkley said.

"The first day at the footy club, he took me under his wing straight away. It's just a massive honour to wear his number."

Matthew Boyd joins Collingwood as a development coach.

"Matthew built his reputation as one of the competition’s elite players through hard work, resilience and great leadership. These are all qualities we want to impart on our younger players coming through," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"To have fought his way onto a rookie list and end up with close to 300 AFL games and a premiership shows a huge appetite for continued personal growth and development and we think those attributes will really strengthen our academy program."

Matthew Boyd will return for Friday night's clash with Hawthorn in what is likely to be a farewell game for the Western Bulldogs great.

With the reigning premiers needing several results to go their way to qualify for an unlikely finals spot, Boyd will join skipper Robert Murphy in saying good bye to Bulldog faithful.

"I don't usually leverage milestone games or sentiment around individuals," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

"This week I think there's room to build that emotion around Bob and Matty Boyd.

"We go out there every week to win a game of football, and I think there's a little bit of stimulus there because there's romance around both boys."

Matthew Boyd announces his retirement, effective at the end of the 2017 season.

"I finish with absolutely no doubts about my ability to contribute," Boyd said.

"It's been a fantastic journey. I knew this year was going to be my last. I feel extremely fortunate to play the game as long as I played."

Turning 35 on August 27, the 291-game veteran said he still had hopes of again representing the club he loves dearly.

"Whether or not it's called a farewell game, I'd love to get myself back into the AFL side," Boyd said.

"I still feel I have plenty to give – both on and off the field for this footy club. I'm excited about what the next seven weeks hold, and how I can continue to contribute."

Matthew Boyd says he has no regrets about playing on this season despite being dropped to the VFL.

"Initially it was a bit of a challenge (playing in the VFL), just being able to process that news and do it quickly enough to get you back on the park," Boyd said.

"My eyes were open to the fact that I could play VFL footy, I could have some injury concerns, and miss periods of the season as an ageing athlete.

"I couldn't not go on after last year, (because you) don't give up while you've got something to give, and I've definitely got something to give."

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he dropped veteran defender Matthew Boyd due to poor form.

"He just probably hasn't been anywhere near his best in recent times," Beveridge said.

"It's probably just the core phases of the game. Using it and defending, he's just been a fraction off his absolute best.

"It seems a bit strange that an All Australian from 2016 be omitted at this time of year, but it happens and we believe he'll play well at VFL level and get back into the team at some point."

Matthew Boyd is taken to hospital after a nasty ear injury in the Bulldogs' pre-season win over the Gold Coast.

Boyd collected an accidental elbow from giant Sun Peter Wright in the third quarter, splitting his ear and was carted off the field.

"He's got a lacerated ear," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said post-match.

"I haven't seen it, but it must be bad enough to need some stitches and some pretty handy needle work, I think he needs some plastic surgery on that ear."

Gary ablett and Luke Hodge are set to add to their long list of achievements by being named as AFL Life Members.

Ablett and Hodge join St Kilda's Leigh Montagna, Western Bulldogs veteran Matthew Boyd and Sydney 2012 premiership captain Jarrad McVeigh in automatically qualifying for life membership having reached 300 AFL games.

Matthew Boyd re-signs with the Western Bulldogs for one year, extending his AFL career into a 15th season.

"Matthew Boyd has been an extraordinary servant to our club for many years," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"To contribute the way he did in his 14th season, is testament to his hard work and professionalism.

"We’re really pleased Matthew will continue playing with us in 2017."

Matthew Boyd says he is in talks with the Bulldogs about a new deal, but that there's no rush to commit to playing on in 2017.

"The mind and body are feeling pretty good, but things can change pretty quickly in footy, we all know that," Boyd said.

"We've got two weeks of the regular season to play out, which is going to be some challenging games again for us in the next couple of weeks, and then going into the finals series for a second year in a row with a young group.

"It's really important I maintain focus on those things rather than the other things that are really out of my control."

Matthew Boyd achieves AFL life membership.

When asked about Boyd's contribution to the game, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge couldn't speak more highly of a player he believes is the "lifeblood" of the red, white and blue.

"He's such an important figure around our football club - lifeblood of the organisation," Beveridge said.

"He was always one of those dour players that had a good balance in his game between defence and attack.

"He's been such a stalwart and we need his impact as much as we ever had."

Marcus Bontempelli looms as the next captain of the Western Bulldogs after he was elevated to club's leadership group in just his third season in the AFL.

The 20-year-old has shown great maturity across his 37-career games and was voted in by his teammates to support re-elected skipper Robert Murphy, new vice-captain Easton Wood and veterans Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris.

Murphy said he was delighted to retain the captaincy in the knowledge the up-and-coming Dogs had plenty of young leaders waiting in the wings.

"It’s an honour to lead the club, it’s been an honour of mine to play for the club for a long time,” Murphy said.

"They’re (Wood and Bontempelli) high quality people, great players, and I think they really capture a lot of the spirit of the team and the club at the moment."

Matthew Boyd signs a one-year deal with the Bulldogs to remain at the club in 2016.

Boyd, a former Dogs captain, has been named in the extended All-Australian squad after moving to defence in 2015.

He said his new position had provided excitement in a season when he ticked over the 250-game milestone.

“It’s been fun and I’ve loved the challenge and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

“It’s good to be able to sign in such an exciting week for the footy club and good to be able to look forward to another year.”

As he approaches his 250th game, Matthew Boyd still doesn't know if this season will be his last.

Out of contract in October, the 32-year-old says continuing his career is more than tempting with the Bulldogs potentially on the verge of success.

"It's an exciting time to be at the footy club," Boyd said.

"We'll see how the body holds up, see how I'm playing, and see if I'm still required.

"There's a lot of factors you've got to take into account when you get to my experience, age … wisdom I'd like to think."

Matthew Boyd says he's relishing his new role as a defender under coach Luke Beveridge.

"It's nice to have the faith of the coaches that they believe I could play a different role, a new role," Boyd said.

"I really went to school over the pre-season trying to learn from the coaches and from Bob Murphy and guys who have played down in the backline a fair bit of their career.

"So the new role and the new challenge has been really exciting."

Matthew Boyd will play on in 2015, after signing a new one-year deal with the Western Bulldogs.

"Matthew is a highly-respected member of this football club, and we believe he still has a lot to offer," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"Anyone that knows Matthew, understands just how professional he is, which we see as an important attribute, particularly for our young group to learn from."

Matthew Boyd says handing the Bulldogs captaincy to Ryan Griffen will allow him to focus more on his football.

"Being able to pass over to 'Griff' will mean that I probably do get a bit more time to concentrate on my body and preparing myself to play footy," Boyd said.

"It will give me a little bit of extra time and focus back on preparation. In saying that, all older players and more senior players at footy clubs have got a responsibility to the whole group, and that's definitely a big part of it."

Matthew Boyd says he will not be wearing any protective headgear when he returns to the side after missing three weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

"I know it's strong and I'm confident to go out there and play this week and so are the doctors and that's all that matters," Boyd said.

"No, I won't be wearing a helmet. As the surgeon said to me, it's a personal choice. I'd just rather get out there and play and forget about it."

Matthew Boyd will be sidelined for a month after surgery to fix cheekbone fracture.

Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd will miss his side's round one clash after suffering a calf strain.

"Although it's unfortunate that Matthew has suffered an injury on the eve of the season, it will provide some of our talented, emerging midfielders an opportunity to take another step in their development," General Manager of Football, James Fantasia said.

Robert Murphy will captain the Bulldogs after Matthew Boyd is ruled out for two to three weeks with a calf complaint.

Matthew Boyd wins his third Chalie Sutton medal as the Western Bulldogs' best and fairest award ahead of Ryan Griffen.

Western Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd has signed an extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2014.

"It was a great show of faith from them really - they didn't have to extend my contract but they have," Boyd told the Herald Sun.

"It gives me a great opportunity to keep playing for the football club that I love, but also to help bring the next group of young leaders up and try and teach them a little bit and help them on the journey through AFL."

Bulldogs defender Tom Williams is training strongly after a shoulder reconstruction in early March.

"I'm not sure how far away he is but he trained strongly today and he's been doing a hell of a lot of work to get his injuries right," Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd said.

"He's a very resilient guy. He's had a rough trot and I think he's one of the most operated-on players in the comp. But he's got a really strong mindset and I'm sure he won't be too far away."

Matthew Boyd will eventually be hailed as one of the Western Bulldogs' greatest captains, the club's football manager James Fantasia says.

"He's a great leader for our footy club and I think he's going to develop into one of the all-time great leaders, if you work on just how he goes about his business," Fantasia told SEN radio.

Matthew Boyd wins his second Charles Sutton Medal after downing Robert Murphy in the Bulldogs' best and fairest count.

The Western Bulldogs and skipper Matthew Boyd have come to terms on a new contract.

"It probably took a little bit longer than we thought, but there were no real hurdles. It was never a real worry," Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said.

"He's a cornerstone of our club with his commitment to excellence. He holds everyone accountable to what is best for the club."

Matthew Boyd says being captain of the Bulldogs during a tough year weighed heavily on his mind during the year.

"You try not to let it get to you too much but there were a couple of sleepless nights here and there, thinking what more can you do," Boyd said.

"I guess it takes a bit of a toll but when I got the job I was told it was an added responsibility and asked if I was ready for it, and I was as well prepared as anyone at the club to handle those challenges."

The Western Bulldogs have named Matthew Boyd as captain of the club as well as two deputies to support him in Adam Cooney and Daniel Giansiracusa who will serve as vice-captains.

Western Bulldog Matthew Boyd narrowly edged out Daniel Cross to win his first Charles Sutton Medal as the Bulldogs' best and fairest.

Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris join the Bulldogs leadership group that include five members from last year including Brad Johnson, Scott West, Robert Murphy, Daniel Cross and Daniel Giansiracusa.

"It's a good cross-section of age and certainly positions," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said. "We'd certainly like to add to that as we go along. What you'd like to have is 30 players in the leadership group, with everyone having a say."