Matt de Boer says last Saturday’s 12-point win over Richmond at the MCG was the closest the side has come to a full four-quarter effort this season, but there’s still plenty of scope for improvement.
Fremantle overcame the in-form Tigers thanks to a club-record 118 tackles, but the 22-year-old said the side wouldn’t be sitting on its laurels.
“The boys’ effort was unquestionable over the four quarters,” de Boer said.
“But we will review the tapes and, obviously, there is still more work to do.
“There were still a few things we weren’t happy with.”
De Boer had a breakout individual performance in the midfield, with 29 possessions, 13 tackles and a goal in conditions he admitted suited his game.
“It was a bit more scrappy and closer to the ground, which is good for me,” he said.
“Hopefully I can translate that form to every week, in any conditions.”
Since moving into a midfield role, de Boer has been impressive, but he said his own game was also a work in progress.
“I still have a lot to learn about being a midfielder,” he said.
“I’m planning on having a chat to “Barra” (David Mundy) and a few of the other boys.
“I’m enjoying being in there, but I will play wherever the coach wants me to.
“If he feels like I can help out in the midfield, I’m happy to go in there and do my best.
De Boer said it was pleasing to register a win at the MCG and without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who exited the game early on with injury.
“We don’t buy into hoodoos, we are a brotherhood,” de Boer said
“We knew if we could come over here and stick with our effort, we’d get the job done.”
He singled out the efforts of captain Matthew Pavlich and ruckman Jonathon Griffin for special praise.
“Full credit to Jon Griffin on Saturday,” de Boer said.
“I think he stood up in a massive way and we couldn’t have been prouder of him.
“He was giving good feed against an in-form ruckman in Ivan Maric.”
Pavlich’s six goals were match-winning in the trying conditions.
“It was a real captain’s game,” de Boer said.
“I was really proud of him. “Pav” really stood up for us.
“He was inspirational at half-time with his words, and his actions speak for themselves.”
De Boer said, with no game this weekend because of the bye, the players were looking forward refreshing themselves mentally and physically.
“We know that we have the second half of the season still to come,” he said.
“We’ll just to take it easy and make sure we come back just as hungry as ever.”
