Western Bulldogs premiership player Matthew Boyd announced his retirement on Tuesday after 16 seasons at AFL level.
After playing 24 matches last season including all finals matches, Boyd has struggled with injuries and form in 2017, and has played just nine matches, with just two of those coming after round eight.
โIt has been an amazing journey for me to play at the highest level at the Western Bulldogs for 16 years,โ Boyd told westernbulldogs.com.au.
โI am fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play for such an amazing club and to have met so many incredible people along the way.
โFor me itโs those friendships and special bonds Iโve developed here that mean the most to me, and are what make this club so special.
โIโm proud to finish my career as a one-club player, and I want to thank everyone at the Western Bulldogs for their support of me and my family over my career.
โThe Bulldogsโ fans have been phenomenal.ย I thank you for embracing me, and it was truly an honour playing for you.โ
Earlier this season, Boyd broke the record for the most career games by a played taken in the rookie draft, surpassing former West Coast ruckman Dean Cox whose record stood at 290 matches.
Boyd is a three-time All Australian and captained the club for three seasons between 2011-2013, and has also won the club's best and fairest award three times.
Over his 16-year career, the veteran defender has averaged 25 disposals, 5.1 marks, 3.4 tackles, 3.7 clearances and 3.2 inside 50s per game.
