Deck of Dream Team 2012: Matthew Boyd

Name: Matthew Boyd
Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfielder
Assistant Coach 2012 Price: $573,800
Bye Round: 11
2011 Average: 116
2011 Games Played: 22
Predicted Average: 117

Why should I pick him? The last two years, Matty Boyd has elevated himself into the elite premium category, not only pumping out captain worthy scores almost every time he hits the park, but doing it without missing games in-between. His average of 116 was the 3^rd highest of any player in the competition last year and despite being 29 years old, it was his personal best. 2010 was a breakout year for Boyd in DT where he took his average from 103 to 115 and he doesn’t look like dropping off during what he has described as the most grueling pre season of his career. Despite the increased pre season load, Boyd is continually a front runner and showing the way to his younger teammates. In the last 6 years, Boyd has missed just 2 games through injury which is durability that can be matched by few stars of the competition. Last year, Matty managed top the 100 point mark on 17 occasions which included some absolute thumpers of 155 and 162, while breaking the 120 barrier an impressive 9 times.

Why shouldn’t I pick him? Although he has a strong history of durability, the fact that he is turning 30 next year immediately rules him out of many sides due to age. Unfortunately for the Dogs, next year they only play the GC (125 in 2011), Freo (155 and 162 in 2011) and GWS once each throughout 2012 which will supply Boyd with less easy scoring opportunities than some cheaper premium midfield options (man he is brutal to Freo). Trying to find negatives for such a great competitor is hard, so I’ll throw this out there with no real conviction: Over the last few years there has been little competition for time through the middle but Adam Cooney must be getting close to a return to the centre which could mean Boyd is given a rest more frequently as opposed to being at almost every contest.

Deck of DT Rating: ACE-The Dogs are fresh and invigorated after a poor showing last year and seem to have a new lease on life under new coach Brendan McCartney. Even if the new game plan doesn’t work out, Boyd still has the ability to stand up and score well when the rest of the group is being comfortably defeated, so any team improvement will be an added bonus here and possibly cause a slight increase in average. Although I think he is a jet and will not drop off, at this price and with a less than favourable draw, Boyd is only a 10% chance to begin the season with destROY.

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