Bulldogs buy Boyd in Buddy-style coup

Tom Boyd is on his way to the Whitten Oval. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

TOM Boyd has joined Western Bulldogs on a Buddy Franklin-style contract after a sensational about-face by Greater Western Sydney.

The Giants stated on Monday that "under no circumstance" would they release last year's No. 1 draft pick and they took an even stronger stance on Wednesday.

But the Bulldogs on Wednesday sealed a deal to send disaffected captain Ryan Griffen and their prized No. 6 pick to the Giants in exchange for the 200cm, 104kg monster likened to Tom Hawkins.

Giants chief executive David Matthews said Boyd's position had become untenable as the players no longer wanted him.

Boyd, 19, will earn his base draft salary next season — about $180,000 — and his annual salary will then skyrocket to more than $1 million, making him the richest Bulldogs player in history.

He played nine AFL games this year.

Tom Boyd is a much-needed power forward for the Bulldogs. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

The Bulldogs will also pay about a third of Griffen's 2015 salary, believed to be around $650,000.

The Herald Sun has been told that the subsidy for Griffen extends beyond next year.

Dogs president Peter Gordon said on Monday that a straight Griffen-Boyd swap was "fair and equitable" but the Dogs threw in their first pick to land their man.

The shock exchange leaves the Dogs without a captain and coach but with the young power forward they have craved.

Senior assistant Brett Montgomery is favourite to win the vacant coaching post.

PICK ME: WHAT'S ALL THE BOYD FUSS ABOUT?

Dogs chief executive Simon Garlick said the move to sign Boyd until 2021 was a "really strong, prudent and responsible decision".

Prominent player agent Liam Pickering orchestrated both Boyd and Franklin's deals — Franklin's $10 million for nine years at the Swans — with the Giants missing out on Franklin and now losing Boyd.

Boyd is in Thailand but will be unveiled by the Dogs next week.

All eyes will be on Victorian Tom Boyd at the AFL draft, with the highly-rated forward expected to be recruited as the number one pick by the GWS Giants.

Dogs chief executive Simon Garlick said the deal, "out of circumstances that were far from ideal (Griffen walking out) ... is a magnificent outcome".

"There will be conjecture ... some people think we might have paid overs or given them a bit much," he told AFL Trade Radio.

"But we think it's a really strong, prudent and responsible decision."

Pickering was adamant on Wednesday that if the Giants held Boyd to his contract next year he would walk after the season.

In a parting whack, Matthews said Giants coach Leon Cameron had consulted the leadership group about Boyd's intentions.

"We are proud to represent western Sydney and Canberra and it's critical that our players share that value," he said.

"Clearly Tom doesn't and the best course of action is for him to leave the club."

Ryan Griffen will head to GWS. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The Giants' sole All-Australian, Jeremy Cameron, tweeted: "Yes! A city slicker for a pig shooter."

Griffen was due to return from a hunting expedition in South Australia today to explain his controversial move north.

Cameron headlines a list of prized baby Giants out of contract next season with Victorian clubs now expected to queue up with bags of money.

There were concerns over Boyd's management at GWS this year with the power forward bulking up too much, limiting his mobility and speed.

He was told to strip back down late in the season.

Recruiting experts rated Boyd the standout No. 1 pick in the draft era before his name was read out last year.

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