Opinion Matt De Boer - What to do?

[Frigate]

If someone wants him, then let him go for sure.
He is one of the toughest players in the AFL, and he is a hard worker. Unfortunately he is not the fastest and his skills let him down.

I still think it depends on how our list will be next year based on trades.

Inject Fyfe, Bennell, McCarthy and Hill, amongst a healthy list start of year (Mundy, Sandi) then suddenly we do not look so bad. We beat the bulldogs, and to be fair he had a solid game - looked an AFL player.

I think the concept of depth is underestimated - it makes no sense to just play rookies and new draftees hoping that you will unearth some gems or see the odd glimpse. You get that through the 2nd's. If they dominate seconds they can come in, if not, they stay there. MDB dominates the 2nds - he is a bit of Kane Mitchell though. Almost too good in 2nd's and not up to AFL on most occasions.

 

[chinggis77]

If someone wants him, then let him go for sure.
He is one of the toughest players in the AFL, and he is a hard worker. Unfortunately he is not the fastest and his skills let him down.

I still think it depends on how our list will be next year based on trades.

Inject Fyfe, Bennell, McCarthy and Hill, amongst a healthy list start of year (Mundy, Sandi) then suddenly we do not look so bad. We beat the bulldogs, and to be fair he had a solid game - looked an AFL player.

I think the concept of depth is underestimated - it makes no sense to just play rookies and new draftees hoping that you will unearth some gems or see the odd glimpse. You get that through the 2nd's. If they dominate seconds they can come in, if not, they stay there. MDB dominates the 2nds - he is a bit of Kane Mitchell though. Almost too good in 2nd's and not up to AFL on most occasions.

How often has Matt De Boer played as a free running mid where he can go and hunt his own ball in the AFL? He has almost exclusively been used as a defensive midfielder/half forward in his entire AFL career.

There were a couple of occasions where De Boer was "released" at AFL level. Once was against Richmond at the G when we had a lot of injuries. De Boer ended up getting 28 possessions, 20 contested, 11 clearances and something like 12 tackles. He is an elite inside midfielder who has done the team thing for years. At Peel he is allowed to just play his game and hunt the ball.

He will certainly end up at another team next year and if played as an inside mid, may become as good as Boyd.

 

[Frigate]

How often has Matt De Boer played as a free running mid where he can go and hunt his own ball in the AFL? He has almost exclusively been used as a defensive midfielder/half forward in his entire AFL career.

There were a couple of occasions where De Boer was "released" at AFL level. Once was against Richmond at the G when we had a lot of injuries. De Boer ended up getting 28 possessions, 20 contested, 11 clearances and something like 12 tackles. He is an elite inside midfielder who has done the team thing for years. At Peel he is allowed to just play his game and hunt the ball.

He will certainly end up at another team next year and if played as an inside mid, may become as good as Boyd.

Fair call, but MDB is not going to be used in a role like that because his clanger count is too high (or critical clangers). He can play in close for handball release well, but then you are not going to use that player in a top 8 team as a starting 22. They need the kick on both feet if they don't possess burst speed.

I appreciate you found one of 3 games he got over 24 possessions in a career dating back to 2009, however, there is no way he would be starting attacking mid at AFL on 2017+.

Not many blokes can claim to have played in a GF, and played every game that season. He has been important for us, and I love the bloke.

At 26 there is no risk in having him on the list, and I want to keep him for depth, but I think we will not get anything for him. In a losing year, he was left to play with Peel - saying that, if we had been winning more games, I think he would have played more. So, if he wants to go, let him, if he wants to stay and fight, keep him.

 

[PapaJ]

Fair call, but MDB is not going to be used in a role like that because his clanger count is too high (or critical clangers). He can play in close for handball release well, but then you are not going to use that player in a top 8 team as a starting 22. They need the kick on both feet if they don't possess burst speed.

I appreciate you found one of 3 games he got over 24 possessions in a career dating back to 2009, however, there is no way he would be starting attacking mid at AFL on 2017+.

Not many blokes can claim to have played in a GF, and played every game that season. He has been important for us, and I love the bloke.

At 26 there is no risk in having him on the list, and I want to keep him for depth, but I think we will not get anything for him. In a losing year, he was left to play with Peel - saying that, if we had been winning more games, I think he would have played more. So, if he wants to go, let him, if he wants to stay and fight, keep him.

I don't know, I think it's something between what you and chinggis77 is saying. Comparing him to Boyd is a bit far, but I think he's a better user of the ball than you're implying. He's not spectacular, but he's OK. He's also not slow either. True he doesn't quite have the burst speed, but he covers the ground OK and he will be running the same fastish pace mid way through the 4th as he will at in the 1st. His tank is AFL elite IMHO.

I reckon the only thing really holding him back is that doesn't have a really penetrating kick, especially when stationary/set shot. THAT for me is the biggest issue. Otherwise, he's good to go in most teams (including ours) I reckon.

 

[Winky]

I don't know, I think it's something between what you and chinggis77 is saying. Comparing him to Boyd is a bit far, but I think he's a better user of the ball than you're implying. He's not spectacular, but he's OK. He's also not slow either. True he doesn't quite have the burst speed, but he covers the ground OK and he will be running the same fastish pace mid way through the 4th as he will at in the 1st. His tank is AFL elite IMHO.

I reckon the only thing really holding him back is that doesn't have a really penetrating kick, especially when stationary/set shot. THAT for me is the biggest issue. Otherwise, he's good to go in most teams (including ours) I reckon.

He's faster than Priddis and probably has similar skills if not better, so maybe it's just that he isn't doing what Ross wants. Personally I would have thought he would be good value with the speed you already have in the midfield.

 

[kingswood71]

It is going to "look" a bit odd if we delist him in the same week he wins the Sandover

 

[Witch1]

Yeah, that'd be bittersweet wouldn't it.
I doubt he'd be delisted with WAFL form but seems the best he could hope for at Freo is begrudging one year deal - just like previous 2 years. I reckon he'd be mad to stay at Freo and should grab any chance at another club with both hands.

 

[Paracleet]

Anyone who thinks De Boer is a AFL quality starting inside midfielder is on crack. He was a role player at AFL level and his day at that is done. At WAFL level he is a top shelf player, but if you want to see what an actual AFL quality inside mid should be achieving at that level the example is Barlow, who got 83 touches in the two games he played. 83!
No-one else is going to touch him and if I was him and Freo offered me 1 more year at base rate I'd turn it down. Much better off signing for Claremont, or even a SNAFL / VFL team, and being given a job by a sponsor in his chosen field (he has a Bachelor or Commerce) as part of the deal, or just retiring and getting a job full stop, before his degree goes cold and he is another year closer to 30. (Unless he wants to coach of course).

Purely from the teams perspective of all our mature role players who are on the block I think he is just about the only one I would consider keeping for a year on the off chance we actually bouned back into some sort of realistic contention, but I don't think they will (keep him that is).

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

We have no need for players that cannot kick the football.

 

[Dignan]

How often has Matt De Boer played as a free running mid where he can go and hunt his own ball in the AFL? He has almost exclusively been used as a defensive midfielder/half forward in his entire AFL career.

There were a couple of occasions where De Boer was "released" at AFL level. Once was against Richmond at the G when we had a lot of injuries. De Boer ended up getting 28 possessions, 20 contested, 11 clearances and something like 12 tackles. He is an elite inside midfielder who has done the team thing for years. At Peel he is allowed to just play his game and hunt the ball.

He will certainly end up at another team next year and if played as an inside mid, may become as good as Boyd.

Turn it up.

There's only a handful of 'elite' inside mids in the game, DeBoer aint one of them.

 

[BigWardy12]

Wouldn't be fussed if we let him go. but there are at least 5 or 6 other midfielders i would get rid of first.

 

[Demons09]

Have heard that Mzungo will be back at Perth next year, and if his good mate Deboer gets delisted he'll join him, I've only heard it second Han though so could be bullshit.

 

[freoextra]

Have heard that Mzungo will be back at Perth next year, and if his good mate Deboer gets delisted he'll join him, I've only heard it second Han though so could be bullshit.

What an awesome midfield Perth would have then even if Tropiano goes.

 

[Demons09]

What an awesome midfield Perth would have then even if Tropiano goes.

I think that's on the money regarding Trops, hence Perth chasing Deboer still a lot of water to pass under the bridge even if Deboer gets delisted he may get picked up else where.

 

[PapaJ]

He's faster than Priddis and probably has similar skills if not better, so maybe it's just that he isn't doing what Ross wants. Personally I would have thought he would be good value with the speed you already have in the midfield.

Yeah similar I suppose in both are limited when it comes to using the boot. As you say, DeBoer might even have a better skills in the raw sense and is faster over the ground.

However, despite Priddis' limitations, one thing I think he has over DeBoer (in fact has over many players), is that he makes very good decisions very quickly. DeBoer can be OK at AFL level and obviously with more time and space afforded at WAFL it's even better, but Priddis is excellent at finding that option. Both are pretty hard at it, DeBoer probably harder actually, but Priddis is also bigger in the body and has a knack of getting that body in a good place to still get the ball to useful teammates.

 

[Unique Name]

However, despite Priddis' limitations, one thing I think he has over DeBoer (in fact has over many players), is that he makes very good decisions very quickly.

Priddis averages just over 9 kicks a game. That's 9 bad decisions in my book.

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

I don't know if you can really compare DeBoer to a Brownlow medalist.

The game has evolved and with his disposal he's obsolete. He's a niche player well down the pecking order and has some flaws which are unforgivable in modern footy.

He'll probably stay on the list, but only because we've got enough genuine deadwood to swing the axe at already.

 

[Big Animal]

We have no need for players that cannot kick the football.

Hey Muff's back!! cool

 

[sherrif]

Anyone who thinks De Boer is a AFL quality starting inside midfielder is on crack. He was a role player at AFL level and his day at that is done. At WAFL level he is a top shelf player, but if you want to see what an actual AFL quality inside mid should be achieving at that level the example is Barlow, who got 83 touches in the two games he played. 83!
No-one else is going to touch him and if I was him and Freo offered me 1 more year at base rate I'd turn it down. Much better off signing for Claremont, or even a SNAFL / VFL team, and being given a job by a sponsor in his chosen field (he has a Bachelor or Commerce) as part of the deal, or just retiring and getting a job full stop, before his degree goes cold and he is another year closer to 30. (Unless he wants to coach of course).

Purely from the teams perspective of all our mature role players who are on the block I think he is just about the only one I would consider keeping for a year on the off chance we actually bouned back into some sort of realistic contention, but I don't think they will (keep him that is).

Im pretty sure plenty on here said the same thing about Menegola. I actually think in the last half of the year de Boer is finally being played as an ultra attacking mid and is a completely different player in that role. The player who played against West Perth on the weekend was able to burst away from congestion and kick with significant penetration. I don't have a problem saying I think he would actually be a decent player at afl level if allowed do show his attacking element to his game. If he went to Gold Coast I reckon he would be a tremendous recruit and we will be talking about the mistake we made in letting both him and Menegola go for nothing. The player you describe in the above post does not fit the description of the player I've watched recently.

For what it is worth I saw Barlow's two games at WAFL level .Despite less stats De Boer's last two games were an absolute ton more efficient than Barlow's two games. Seriously Matty has hardly missed a kick. Barlow missed a heap of targets in those games.

 

[Paracleet]

Im pretty sure plenty on here said the same thing about Menegola. I actually think in the last half of the year de Boer is finally being played as an ultra attacking mid and is a completely different player in that role. The player who played against West Perth on the weekend was able to burst away from congestion and kick with significant penetration. I don't have a problem saying I think he would actually be a decent player at afl level if allowed do show his attacking element to his game. If he went to Gold Coast I reckon he would be a tremendous recruit and we will be talking about the mistake we made in letting both him and Menegola go for nothing. The player you describe in the above post does not fit the description of the player I've watched recently.

For what it is worth I saw Barlow's two games at WAFL level .Despite less stats De Boer's last two games were an absolute ton more efficient than Barlow's two games. Seriously Matty has hardly missed a kick. Barlow missed a heap of targets in those games.

That comparison might have some validity if Menegola had played 140 games of AFL and not 0 when we let him go. We'll see who is right soon enough.

 

[Witch1]

I

Anyone who thinks De Boer is a AFL quality starting inside midfielder is on crack. He was a role player at AFL level and his day at that is done. At WAFL level he is a top shelf player, but if you want to see what an actual AFL quality inside mid should be achieving at that level the example is Barlow, who got 83 touches in the two games he played. 83!

Obviously 83 touches is amazing and I love Barlow ... but over just two games not really fair to compare with MdB's 30 + average over many more games.
I also think starstruck Peel regulars more likely to feed established AFL star like Barlow - thus flattering his numbers.

 

[Witch1]

Hardly fair to compare Barlow's two games in WAFL, average 40 touches with MdB's average 30+ over many more games.

And reasonable to assume his stats flattered a little by starstruck Peel teammates picking him out. (I may be wrong on that, didn't see game.)

 

[PapaJ]

I don't know if you can really compare DeBoer to a Brownlow medalist.

The game has evolved and with his disposal he's obsolete. He's a niche player well down the pecking order and has some flaws which are unforgivable in modern footy.

He'll probably stay on the list, but only because we've got enough genuine deadwood to swing the axe at already.

I know it's comparing apples and oranges, but that hasn't stopped Dawson being a lock 22 even this year. To quote RTB himself, "if he could kick it wouldn't even be a conversation". Well the same could apply to MDB I suppose.

 

[Paracleet]

Hardly fair to compare Barlow's two games in WAFL, average 40 touches with MdB's average 30+ over many more games.

And reasonable to assume his stats flattered a little by starstruck Peel teammates picking him out. (I may be wrong on that, didn't see game.)

Hey, I love da Pig, I think it is a genuine shame he probably isn't going to make 150 games and life membership (although as two time best club-man recipient he has as good a claim as any player to be the first to be granted it despite not making the games cut off), but people need to get a grip.

 

[Kram]

For what it is worth I saw Barlow's two games at WAFL level .Despite less stats De Boer's last two games were an absolute ton more efficient than Barlow's two games. Seriously Matty has hardly missed a kick. Barlow missed a heap of targets in those games.

ok it was only WAFL but this was what de Boer was like at Cunderdin, best on ground. Also surprised us when he kicked a goal from 45 out on the flank that sailed through at goal post height.