WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is backing Tom Boyd to bounce back against Collingwood on Friday night after the key forward had minimal impact in the win over North Melbourne. 

Conceding that the Dogs couldn't afford to lose any more key position players to injury heading into the finals, Beveridge is hoping the 20-year-old will display the same encouraging form that saw Boyd collect 18 disposals and kick three goals in the round 19 loss to Geelong.

Boyd had just four disposals, five hit-outs and dropped two marks he would have been expected to take against the Kangaroos. 

"It's hard when defenders are holding you down – it is hard," Beveridge said. 

"If he gets a run at (the footy) as you saw he took a great contested mark on the wing, he's pretty hard to stop.

"I think we've got to remember he's not just a forward for us at the moment; he's a ruckman as well.

"If you think about his Geelong game it was one step forward, two steps forward and far as productivity on the scoreboard goes, that's not how we're rating him.

"He's quite resilient and he gets back on track straight away." 

Beveridge confirmed AFL.com.au's report last week that defender Dale Morris had spurned free agency and re-signed with the club for a further three seasons, and he suggested fellow veteran Matthew Boyd wasn't far away from recommitting either.

Morris and Boyd, both 33, have arguably been in All Australian form this season as they help usher in the next generation of Bulldog defenders.

"Until all our experienced guys are signed up, it was Dale's preference to keep (his new contract) in-house (because) he knows it's sensitive for the rest of our group," Beveridge said.

"We're talking to Matty Boyd at the moment about his future as well. 

"We thought Matty was quite outstanding in the game on the weekend and it looked like he had another five years in him.

"So (his contract situation) will work itself out."