PLAYING in the ruck could be the making of maligned Western Bulldogs forward Tom Boyd, according to club great Luke Darcy.

Darcy, who played the majority of his 226 AFL games in the ruck, has been pleased with Boyd's performances on the ball this season, and believes the combative nature of the role will help the 2013 No.1 draft pick become a more rounded player.

The former Giant has been impressive as a back up to first-choice ruckman Jordan Roughead, and Darcy said he was a "constant threat" in the three-point loss to Hawthorn on the weekend.

"I think his ruck work is really impressive; especially his aggression and follow up work at centre bounces," Darcy told AFL.com.au.

"It's a brilliant way to develop a young key forward, who is good enough to play in the ruck.

"So when his ruck craft improves and his forward line craft improves, I can see him doing both well for the rest of his career."

While only averaging four tap outs and 11 possessions in three games this year, Darcy is confident Boyd's time in the ruck will help him build on the five goals he's kicked up forward.

"It will help him massively with his one-on-one contested marking and the use of his body," he said.

"He already looks dangerous; he's starting to get his hands on the ball and he rarely gets out marked.

"As he builds a fitness base, his second efforts are starting to improve. He's just going to get better and better with time and a few more games."

Darcy finds the constant discussion about Boyd's output not matching his large contract "boring" and says the 20-year-old is tracking well for a player of his age and experience.

"As a young key forward who's only just started his third year, I think he's going really, really well," he said.

"There's nothing concerning about his development, in fact it's the opposite.

"I speak to people at the club who train and coach him and they say his attitude is brilliant. He's just got to carry the distraction of the contract, but it doesn't seem to faze him."

And with the ruck being a question mark over the Dogs heading into 2016, Darcy is hoping Roughead can build on his solid start to the year and the versatile big man can make the position his own.

"He looks comfortable in the ruck and has really improved," he said.

"You want to see him taking marks around the ground and kicking some goals, like he did against the Hawks.

"I'd love to see him become a 15-20 possession ruckman, but there's still a bit of work to go."