Prospective AFL No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd plans to make a mark on the competition in his debut season.
The Victorian tall forward could join All Australian full-forward Jeremy Cameron and 2011 No.1 pick Jonathon Patton in a Greater Western Sydney attack loaded with young talent, although the Giants have said the top pick in November’s draft is potentially on the trade table.
But Boyd, who showed his talent and character by returning from an ankle ligament injury to kick four goals in the Eastern Ranges’ recent TAC Cup grand final win, has big aims regardless of where he ends up.
“I hope to obviously first get to a club and earn the respect of my teammates, which I think is imperative to your standing at the club,” Boyd told reporters on Wednesday at the AFL draft combine in Melbourne.
“From there, hopefully have a good pre-season, maybe play NAB Cup and try to play as many games as I can.
“I think if you go in with an attitude that the first couple of years are really just a warm-up or trial runs then you’re probably being a little bit naive.
“It’s a really cut-throat industry so I want to get in there and make my mark as soon as possible.”
Boyd has interviews booked this week with GWS, Melbourne and St Kilda, who hold the top three draft picks.
He’ll be happy if he ends up alongside Cameron and Patton.
“Those two boys are obviously super-talented players,” he said.
“I had a little bit to do with Jon Patton back at the Eastern Ranges and I think everyone’s been amazed and impressed by Jeremy Cameron this year.
“To play alongside those two would be a super experience, but also just to learn as much as I can off them when I first get there.”