WITH Tom Boyd in line to play his first senior game since round four, Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes there's no room in the Western Bulldogs' side for the key forward.

Lloyd, who kicked 926 goals in 270 matches for the Bombers, says the Dogs should stick with their current tall forward set up which sees Jack Redpath complemented by versatile ruckman Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead.

Boyd has played three matches in the VFL since returning from a shoulder injury with the high-priced recruit impressing with three goals in his most recent outing.

Redpath has prospered in Boyd's absence, kicking 15 goals in six games.

"At this stage, I don't think there's room for both (Boyd and Redpath)," Lloyd told AFL.com.au.

"I'd be favouring Redpath because Boyd really needs a pre-season with the amount of footy he has missed.

"Boyd looks better in the ruck at times than he does as a forward, but I think him and Redpath are vying for one spot in the forward line."

Lloyd worked with Boyd during the 20-year-old's two years with the AFL Academy squad, and says the star junior's struggles are similar to what a young Tom Hawkins went through.

Boyd's stats are comparable with the Cats' superstar at the same stage of their careers with his 29 goals in 27 games just eight majors behind what Hawkins had achieved in the same period.

Lloyd believes if Boyd can improve his mobility, and continue provide strong support in the ruck, the 2013 No.1 pick will develop into the dominant big man the Bulldogs think he'll become.

"Tommy Hawkins took a long time (to mature) and we forget about his first three or four years," Lloyd said.

"At AFL level you've got to work up the ground and back because everyone is as strong as you.

"(Lack of mobility) can be a weakness for some big guys like Tom Hawkins, Jon Patton and now Boyd, because they've dominated junior football by not moving around too much because they're too big and strong.

"And the scrutiny with the money he's earning puts further pressure on him not performing, but this year has been hard to judge because of his injuries.

"I think he's best suited to 70 per cent forward that hopefully kicks 50 goals a year and then pinch-hits in the ruck." 

While he's not alarmed Boyd isn't tearing the competition apart in his third AFL season, Lloyd was a little bemused Redpath recently earned just a one-year contract extension amid career-best form.

"It's surprising, there's nothing like security at AFL level," Lloyd said.

"Maybe he wasn't being offered what he hoped for, but he wants to stay at the Dogs, and backed himself in to get the deal he wants the following season. 

"But I think he could have got two years elsewhere."

And while the Dogs' forward set up hasn't capitalised on the abundance of opportunities this season, Lloyd says the return of former Bomber Stewart Crameri from a 12-month suspension will see the side kick more goals in 2017.

Despite ranking No.1 in the competition for disposals this year with an average of 429 per game, the Bulldogs are only 10th for scoring by averaging just 88 points per game.

"Crameri has one of the best engines in the game and he's pretty much the modern day footballer," Lloyd said.

"He's someone who can get up the wings and then push back hard.

"He's been a huge loss and one of the main reasons why the Dogs will be even stronger next year."