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Why does Matt DeBoer get a game?

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freoextra

freoextra

Norm Smith Medallist
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Mar 2, 2008
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Perth
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Perth Football Club
I think this AFL article sums up why perfectly:

Defensive pressure in the forward line has been a hallmark of Fremantle's season, with unheralded Matt de Boer making the role his own in the past month. De Boer has shut down the opposition's chief rebounder in recent weeks, with Shannon Hurn (15 possessions) and Heath Shaw (14) notable scalps. He also put the clamps on Richmond's Brett Deledio in round five. Michael Johnson has emerged as a key to Fremantle's structure, with the forward giving Aaron Sandilands ruck support and allowing Mark Harvey to play an extra midfielder. Sandilands has been targeted in the middle of the ground as an escape option at kick-ins, with the 211cm giant punching the ball forward for his midfielders to run onto

Article Link http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/94610/default.aspx
 
Oh man when I saw your heading I was about to come on here with both barrels blazing...
 
Most of Shaw's possessions were in junk time against the Pies too. De Boer kept him out of the game. Not sure why the Freo faithful don't like him but he's definitely doing the job he's being given.
 

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Im a huge fan, though it'd still be nice if he could actually execute the main skill in football - KICKING! How much better would he be if he actually had the confidence to kick the pill! no doubt that will come to him in time!
 
straw said:
Most of Shaw's possessions were in junk time against the Pies too. De Boer kept him out of the game. Not sure why the Freo faithful don't like him but he's definitely doing the job he's being given.
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I like him, just needs to work on his kicking if he is to make it. Gameplans evolve, and opposition coaches will find a way to exploit his poor skills in the future.
 
Clay Davis said:
I like him, just needs to work on his kicking if he is to make it. Gameplans evolve, and opposition coaches will find a way to exploit his poor skills in the future.
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I look forward to the opposition coach instructing his team to give the ball to DeBoer in the our forward line so they can set up off the kick out.
 
Tayl0r said:
I look forward to the opposition coach instructing his team to give the ball to DeBoer in the our forward line so they can set up off the kick out.
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Nah, you just set up the defence such that De Boer becomes the only option in the forward 50. It seems that's happened a couple of times this season.
 
He could take his pick this week!!! Kennelly, Rhys Shaw, Malceski & Mattner!!

My guess is he'll take Shaw?

I think he played his best game this year v Pies - his 1%'s were awesome, alot of stuff off the ball that viewers at home probably didn't see.....just wish he had more confidence kicking on goal, his field kicking seems okay for now.
 
De Boer's been one of our more consistent performers this season. He just goes about his job each week without any fuss. Van Berlo was doing the same thing earlier in the season without much fanfare.

One thing that concerns me though - and Palmer is in the same boat - is that de Boer's confidence with the ball in hand is absolutely shot to pieces. He's reminded me of Hinkley running down the wing in that game against North every time he's had the ball. Not sure what can be done to fix it, but something needs to be done.
 

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dont agree he shut down deledio, i thought he got close to 30 posessions.

I still think someone that can kick an take their opportunities when they arise is more valueable.
In 10 years time the forward thats only in to defend will be gone an replaced by a forward thats dangerous an makes opponents accountable.
Hes been doing a pretty good job at shutting down only.
Needs to take his opportunities an atleast add something to the scoreboard also.
 
not a fan, but after the shitstorm our club has been through this week, bagging a guy who clearly DOES value his position in the side and clearly DOES give his all does not seem like the smartest of ideas any more :eek::thumbsdown:
 
Clay Davis said:
Nah, you just set up the defence such that De Boer becomes the only option in the forward 50. It seems that's happened a couple of times this season.
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Yeah that has happened, but it could also be because his direct opponent is the creative player in the backline.
 
Sman-21 said:
dont agree he shut down deledio, i thought he got close to 30 posessions.

I still think someone that can kick an take their opportunities when they arise is more valueable.
In 10 years time the forward thats only in to defend will be gone an replaced by a forward thats dangerous an makes opponents accountable.
Hes been doing a pretty good job at shutting down only.
Needs to take his opportunities an atleast add something to the scoreboard also.
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I disagree. I think any team playing against Freo should be tagging Duffield. The biggest mistake the Eagles made was letting him run free. Most clubs these days have a very loose defender of some sort who sets up the rebound. Players like Gilbert, Malceski, Shaw, Hurn, Deledio, Drummond, etc can hurt teams with their ball use. There is an argument to put a damaging forward on these guys to make them more accountable but tagging is the safer option and would work more often. Deledio played well in the first quarter when they were on top but a lot of his touches after that would have been kicking to himself on the kick ins after which he kept bombing it to Sandi!
 
Plugga said:
He could take his pick this week!!! Kennelly, Rhys Shaw, Malceski & Mattner!!

My guess is he'll take Shaw?

I think he played his best game this year v Pies - his 1%'s were awesome, alot of stuff off the ball that viewers at home probably didn't see.....just wish he had more confidence kicking on goal, his field kicking seems okay for now.
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Malceski is the most damaging of the lot in my opinion.

And yes I'm a huge fan of the kid :thumbsu:
 

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I think he's had a great season thus far..BUT

How long honestly will his career be if he is a forward that doesn't kick goals?

I'd imagine he will be valuable while we are flying and have great forward options, the moment we struggle he will be in trouble.
 
It's not going to happen any time soon with all our outs, but I'd rather see someone who can kick fill that position. Webster and Thornton weren't stars but have filled similar roles in the past and I'd be much more confident with either of those players with ball in hand 40 metres from goal rather than deBoer.
 
sabre_ac said:
I think he's had a great season thus far..BUT

How long honestly will his career be if he is a forward that doesn't kick goals?

I'd imagine he will be valuable while we are flying and have great forward options, the moment we struggle he will be in trouble.
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I think he will eventually develop skills that will enable him to contribute more goals.His skills seem to be improving but he has to have more confidence in himself to take set shots etc
 

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Why does Matt DeBoer get a game?

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