Boyd first injured his shoulder in his second senior game while at Greater Western Sydney, but has been able to play on despite the occasional issue with it.

He took six weeks off after aggravating the shoulder in round four this year, and will have it fixed for good in the next month.

"In a way taking that time off has been good because it's helped me get through to the end of the season," Boyd said.

"I used that time to strengthen it, but I have to go and get the reco done at the end of the year.

"It hasn't fallen out again since I hurt it this year, so that's good, but it still troubles me a bit so it will be good to go and get it fixed properly.

"Everyone has their moment on the injury list. I've been pretty lucky so far and to be able to come back and play 10 or 12 games since I hurt it has been good for me."

In an exclusive interview with The Age, Boyd also revealed he would not have been able to line up for the Bulldogs in their first final had it not been for the competition bye.

The 21-year-old injured an ankle early in the Dog's final home and away game against Fremantle and struggled for a few days afterwards.

"Those few days were horrible and I wouldn't have got up if we'd had to play the next week so the bye helped me as well as a few others," he said.

"I really struggled to get through that game and now I'm just hanging on."