THE BULLDOGS might have a number of influential players nearing the end of their careers, but they are certainly not short of emerging leaders wanting to stand up and take the club into its next phase.

Midfielder Matthew Boyd might not be in the leadership group, but he has committed himself to setting a good example for his teammates through his constant hard work and tenacity.

"I look at myself as a bit of a leader around the club. We've got our leadership group and I'm not in that, but in terms of how I prepare myself and train and with the leadership qualities I think I've got, I think that's a pressure within itself," he told westernbulldogs.com.au.

"Being able to set an example for some of the younger guys, and even some of the older guys … we're all pushing towards the same thing.

"Being able to provide some sort of leadership on the field is a bit of a pressure, but it's one I enjoy as well."

Boyd hasn't set himself the objective of being appointed to the leadership group, and is instead more focused on filling the void that will be created once players such as Brad Johnson, Scott West, Luke Darcy and Chris Grant retire.

"If it happens, it would be great and it would be a great honour to be part of the leadership group," he said.

"I haven't set myself the goal to be captain or in the group, but I think everyone can assume the role of a leader among the team and I think that's what everyone wants.

"That's what the older guys really want. ‘Johnno’ and ‘Westy’ and ‘Darc’ all want younger guys to step up and start pushing them out, I suppose, and if all of us can do that, we'll be a much better team pretty quickly."

One of the greatest influences on Boyd's career has been the recently retired Rohan Smith, who chose the hard midfielder to carry on the legacy of the No.5 guernsey at the end of last season.

Boyd believes it was his high work ethic and hardness around the contest that prompted Smith to award him with the number.

"I think we were very different players. He was a very skilful player, and hard at it as well," he said.

"He liked the way I worked and my work ethic around the club, and he was here when I started and he saw that I came off the rookie list and did it pretty tough.

"I'm not sure if he admired what I did, but I think he had respect for me, and that respect is very much a mutual thing.

"He was one of the most respected players at the club, so I think it was a combination of him wanting the jumper to go to someone he knew, and how he was able to see me grow as a footballer in the five or six years we were playing here together."

He also said he was flattered to be given the chance to wear the jumper due to the amount of respect he has for the former Bulldog.

"It was a bit of an honour actually. I think "Smithy" wanted the jumper to continue to be worn, no matter who wore it, but I think he had me at the top of the list to ask," he said.

"I couldn't say no. It's a great honour, and I get along really well with "Smithy", and just to be able to wear the jumper he's worn for 300 games, and 300 really good games … it's really hard to maintain form over that long.

"He was outstanding, and just the way he prepared himself and the person he was around the club was exceptional. I really admire him and look up to him.

"If ever I needed advice, he'd be one of the first people I'd go to. I can't speak highly enough of him, and I'm sure he'll be back at the club at some stage in another role, hopefully, because the Bulldogs are built on players like him."

Boyd's tremendous work rate was reflected in the fact he placed second in the tackle count at the club last year and third in hard-ball gets.

In just four games this season, Boyd has recorded 10 tackles and an average of over 23 disposals a game – statistics he believes translate into form that has been "reasonably consistent".

"After last year, when I played every game and established myself as a senior player, you come into the season with a little bit of pressure off, in a way," he said.

"You assume you're going to be playing most weeks, but then the pressure increases itself at the same time, from the coach's perspective, and the team expects a fair bit out of you as well.

"I've enjoyed that challenge, and if I can just maintain this consistency throughout the rest of the season, that's the main thing and what I really strive to do when playing AFL footy."

His renowned hardness is something he prides himself on, and thrives on winning contested ball each week.

"I built my game on it. I probably haven't been the quickest player going around, or the most skilled in my past, so it's something I've worked really hard on," he said.

"It's probably what's got me to AFL level, and all the other things are things you can add on as time progresses and you become more confident with yourself.

"That's the basis of my game, and when I play well, that's what I do."

Despite the athleticism and ferocity he displays on match days, Boyd isn't looking to embark on a physical career once his footballing days are done.

Instead, he's keen to follow in the footsteps of Jerry Maguire and pursue a career in sports management – something he is working towards through the Bachelor of Commerce degree in sports management he is completing at Deakin University.

Boyd is in his final year of study but hasn't ruled out the chance of taking his education further, with business and economics both areas in which he would like to broaden his knowledge.

"It's a really important part of my life, and it just provides that balance," he said of the study.

"Sometimes footy can be very overpowering, and you have a one-track mind when it comes to footy.

"The study side of things really gives you another focus in life, and it's vital. It's one of the most important aspects of my life, to be able to take the focus off footy when you're going bad and bring you back down to earth when you're going well.

"It's pretty handy."