Fremantle Dockers cast-offs Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu keen to revive AFL careers as GWS Giants

THERE were questions when GWS signed Fremantle duo Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu but they “won’t be making up the numbers” at their new club.

GWS recruits Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu. Picture: Mark Evans

THERE were a lot of questions when GWS signed Fremantle Dockers duo Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu but they “won’t be making up the numbers” at their new club.

The premiership favourites surprised many in the AFL when they threw them a lifeline at the national and rookie drafts respectively.

GWS are widely regarded as having the AFL’s most talented squad and the Dockers discards were viewed by many as surplus to the expansion team’s needs.

De Boer and Mzungu see things differently.

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“We’re not putting any limits on ourselves,” de Boer told the Daily Telegraph.

“We won’t be making up the numbers. We want to knock the door down (to selection) as quickly as possible and get on the game plan and build relationships with the boys so we can really contribute.”

GWS recruits Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu. Picture: Mark Evans

They have impressed the GWS coaching staff on the training track. Mzungu finished third in last week’s time-trial with de Boer sixth.

“The Giants are a maturing list,” Mzungu said.

“We’ve seen a massive work ethic among them. Matt and I think we can both add to that. We’ve played finals football and worked in a structured environment. It doesn’t get us a game but if an opportunity presents we’re ready to take it.”

The Giants have steadily built their stocks of high quality experienced players over recent seasons with the inclusion of Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Ryan Griffen but traded away nine players in October.

Matt de Boer gets a handball away during his days with Fremantle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“With the big turnover on the list we needed to have some balance,” Giants assistant coach Alan McConnell said.

“We didn’t want to bring in all young boys from the draft. Matt and Tendai are ready to play, they are leaders who speak up in meetings and bring energy and experience. They’re role models and you can’t have too many of those on your list.”

De Boer, 26, played 138 games in eight seasons at the Dockers while Mzungu, 30, managed 102 in his six seasons. Both have plenty of finals experience including the 2013 grand final but fell out of favour with Ross Lyon last year, chalking up less than 10 games between them.

Giants recruit Tendai Mzungu makes a pass for Fremantle against GWS. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“It was certainly disappointing and not the way I wanted it to end,” de Boer said.

“I’m grateful for my time there and it couldn’t have worked out better. I’m a smarter and better footballer for having played under Ross Lyon.”

Regardless of age and experience moving from one side of the continent to the other is still a challenge but one that could bring some big rewards in September.

“It was a big move but it was an easy decision,” de Boer said.

“You feel a bit like a draftee but I’ve got the benefit of eight years in the system, working in a structured environment and playing finals. We come here with confidence but also no sense of entitlement. We’ve told Leon (Cameron) we want to have an impact on and off the field.”