The Western Bulldogs have had to make do without injured first-choice ruckman Jordan Roughead this season, but Luke Beveridge says there's nothing makeshift about using Tom Boyd in the ruck.
With recognised ruckman Tom Campbell out of favour, Boyd has taken over as the preferred option at stoppages over the past fortnight and will do so again against West Coast on Friday night in Perth.
The former No.1 draft pick is viewed widely as a key forward who can pinch hit in the ruck, but Beveridge is comfortable the 200cm giant is more than capable of shouldering the ruck burden.
"We saw last year some of his finals performances were as a principle ruckman really," Beveridge said on Thursday.
"He stepped in valiantly when Roughie went down in the prelim and his performance in the grand final was a good mix of ruck and forward.
"But he probably had the most influence as a ruckman.
"One of the things that a lot of ruckmen don't do these days is take big contested marks and Tom took some of those in the biggest game of the year.
"So he's progressing."
After a slow start last week against Richmond, Boyd was able to get on top in the ruck and was a key factor in his side's thrilling five-point win.
Given the Dogs' issues this season at stoppages, Beveridge admitted it was a welcome change.
"In those last three quarters, he really started to get on top and started to direct some ball to our mids, which is a bit unusual," the coach said with a wry grin.
"It took a few of them by surprise, I think."
Beveridge will soon be spoilt for choice in the position, with Roughead to play his first game back from hamstring tendon surgery in the VFL this weekend.
The coach confirmed Mitch Wallis would play a third game in the VFL as he looked to prove he had recovered fully from his leg fracture in round 18 last season.
"We just thought it would be better for Mitch to have another run at VFL level ... hopefully, he gets his (AFL) chance soon," Beveridge said.
"He's disappointed ... (but) it's a real credit to him to come back the way he has."
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