WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Matthew Boyd says he has no regrets about playing on this season despite being dropped to the VFL.

The 34-year-old tossed up whether to play on in 2017, and has since battled injuries and form after being an All Australian last season.

The defensive playmaker has remained with Footscray in the VFL since being dropped for the round 13 clash with Melbourne, but Boyd says he hasn't given up on returning to the senior side.

He racked up 31 disposals and nine tackles to be one of Footscray's best on the weekend, so is in the mix for a senior return..  

"There's no regrets whatsoever from my perspective for playing on," Boyd told RSN radio on Tuesday.

"Initially it was a bit of a challenge (playing in the VFL), just being able to process that news and do it quickly enough to get you back on the park.

"It had been 13 or 14 years since I played VFL footy, so it's been a long time.

"My eyes were open to the fact that I could play VFL footy, I could have some injury concerns, and miss periods of the season as an ageing athlete.

"I couldn't not go on after last year, (because you) don't give up while you've got something to give, and I've definitely got something to give."

Now on 290 games, Boyd insists his incentive to saddle up for a 15th AFL season wasn't to reach the magical 300-match mark.

Boyd will need to play every remaining game of the home and away season, plus a final to reach the milestone.

If history is anything to go by, Luke Beveridge will only pick him on merit, after the premiership coach left retired Dog Will Minson stranded on 191 games at the end of last season.

"I had a chat to 'Bevo', and I said, 'Don't play me just to get to 300 games, because I don't want to be a burden on the footy club', Boyd said.

"Things would have to go extraordinarily well from here on in for me to get to 300, but it's not a focus."