Former AFL player Tom Boyd has announced he'll play in the amateurs in 2020 after quitting the AFL in May this year.

Boyd, one of the heroes of the Western Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership in 2016, has been playing suburban footy this year but will join VAFA first division club St Kevin's next year.

The 24-year-old cited physical and mental health issues that had seen him lose the passion to play as the reason for his decision to turn his back on a lucrative AFL contract.

Tom Boyd. Credit:Justin McManus

Boyd joined Eastern Football League club Norwood, where he played junior football, after his AFL career ended earlier this year.