He was not an automatic selection immediately – indeed in 1936 Boyall won the Gardiner Medal for best and fairest in the VFL reserves competition.

In 1937 Boyall continued to improve in the key position of Centre half-back and his future with Collingwood seemed bright.

After standing out of football for a year (thus negating Collingwood's claim to his services) Boyall was then able to join Glenelg for the 1940 season.

Initially Boyall was both captain and coach, but struggled with the dual role and resigned these appointments midway through 1940.

[1][usurped] That Glenelg had recruited "an established Victorian"[2] was borne out when he won SANFL's highest individual award, the Magarey Medal in 1941.