Shepparton export Harry Boyd makes immediate impact at St Kilda under Ross Lyon

By Marcus Beeck

Feb 26, 2025

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has made new recruit and Goulburn Valley export Harry Boyd feel at home with a new nickname. Photo by: AAP Image/Morgan Hancock.

It's a common belief that you’re not fully acclimatised at a football club until you have received a nickname.

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In that case, bustling ruckman Harry Boyd has settled into life at St Kilda very quickly.

The Shepparton football export officially joined the Saints in early 2025 as a supplementary period signing.

His new coach and renowned dry-wit enthusiast Ross Lyon has already handed Boyd a nickname that has stuck across the Saints’ playing group: ‘The Meatball’.

Boyd played his first game in Saints colours on Saturday against Carlton and impressed in the ruck against Tom De Koning.

St Kilda captain Jack Steele said he enjoyed seeing Boyd make an impact both on and off the field.

“Ross gave him the nickname ‘The Meatball’ after the game, which is quite funny,” Steele told Zero Hanger.

“He is just a ball of muscle, he's a solid unit. He's not overly tall, but he just competes. He's been so nice and so easy to work with from the moment he walked in the doors of the club.

“I was glad to see him play well. Not only get an opportunity but also play well on the weekend.

“Hopefully, it's just the start of something for Harry.”

With star St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall in doubt for the start of the season due to a pelvic injury, Boyd has an opportunity to snare his AFL debut when his new club takes on Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in round one.

It would be a full circle moment for Boyd as he made a name for himself as one of the country’s best state ruckmen when playing for Norwood in the SANFL.

After winning the SANFL’s 2024 Magarey Medal for league best-and-fairest, Boyd was plucked from South Australia to don the red, white and black stripes and realise his AFL dream.

The 27-year-old played junior and senior football for Shepparton before making the move to the SANFL in 2021.

Boyd’s final audition for an early debut will be during St Kilda’s last practice match before the start of the season proper against Port Adelaide on Saturday, March 1.