Fresh from easily accounting for the Sydney Swans in Canberra last week, the Bulldogs turned in arguably their best display of the season on Saturday when they belted North Melbourne by 70 points.
The 20.7 (127) to 7.15 (57) win came on the back of ruthless efficiency from Rodney Eade’s side whenever it went forward.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Kangaroos actually won the inside-50 count 53-47.
Yet the Bulldogs were precise and, crucially, found their range in front of goal - unlike North which squandered numerous chances in the opening half.
Boyd said his team was “tracking in the right direction” and looking forward to the remainder of the year after some were questioning his team just a few weeks ago.
“We’re just getting better each week, I think,” the midfield general said after the match.
“It was a good, all-round contribution.
“We just started to play more the way that we played last year and in the NAB Cup, with that quick movement of the ball.
“There’s still a lot of improvement in that sense but we were getting our hands on the footy and using it quite well.”
The Bulldogs controlled Saturday’s match, with the only time the game potentially looked like slipping out of their firm grasp being when tempers flared following the report of forward Barry Hall.
Boyd praised Hall for his control and said there was no need for him to speak to the experienced goalkicker.
“He knows what to do in those situations,” Boyd said.
“[That’s to] get off and sit down and cool his heels. There was no issue, absolutely no issue there, he was fantastic.”
Boyd said the Kangas may have tried to unsettle his team with a physical approach but his side kept its cool.
“I suppose they needed to change something, to change it up because we were well on top and you need to do something to change the momentum,” he said.
“I suppose that was their effort and their go at changing that. But after half time … the momentum was well and truly with us and I don’t think it really worked for them.”
With the likes of skipper Brad Johnson, Shaun Higgins and Rob Murphy still to return to the Bulldogs team in coming weeks, things are looking bright.
“As long as we just keep improving," Boyd said. "It’s great to be 6-3 now. You know we’re in the top four and playing some reasonable footy coming into the middle of the year.”
