Matt de Boer briefly contemplating giving football away before winning a second chance with the GIANTS.
Delisted by Fremantle after eight years and 138 games, de Boer was redrafted at pick 58 in the 2016 national draft.
He reflects on his tough his final year at the Dockers and recounts his first meeting with GIANTS coach Leon Cameron in the latest episode of Becoming GIANT, presented by Bingo Industries.
Since initially signing a one-year deal de Boer has played 49 games for his new club, establishing himself as a leader.
“I was always optimistic and had belief in myself,” said de Boer of his delisting.
“I had a good year down at Peel Thunder and thought I could add value to another club, so I instructed my manager to have a look around, but I did entertain giving it away.
“I had the CV ready and had some good contacts in Western Australia that I was pretty excited to explore with around the next phase of my career, having just finished my degree.
“Ultimately when it came up that the GIANTS were interested…. I just jumped at the opportunity.
“I thought it was a fantastic chance to go to a team that was on the up, and try and join in there and win a premiership.”
Cameron told de Boer in their first meeting that he would come to the club as the 28th or 29th best player on the list, but that it would be up to him to see what he could do from there.
“I think most athletes have this belief in themselves, almost to a delusional point at times,” de Boer said.
“I heard that and I just automatically said, well you just watch. You watch me train, you watch me play, that type of thing… I’ll force my way into the 22.
“I always had that belief and whether it was a clever challenge by Leon or how he genuinely saw it, which would have been 100 per cent fair, it’s something I fight for every day, to make sure I’m in that 22 and part of that team success.”
Heath Shaw and Lachie Whitfield have featured in previous episodes of Becoming GIANT, telling the stories behind their move to the club.
Former rookies Daniel Lloyd and Zac Williams will feature in upcoming episodes.
