GWS Giants shutdown specialist Matt de Boer says it’s a privilege to tag great players, but it will require a team effort to subdue old rival Dustin Martin in Saturday’s AFL grand final.
The 29-year-old midfielder has probably attracted more attention in his 11th season than in any previous campaign after finding a run-with niche.
The former Fremantle player has almost single-handedly brought tagging back into the limelight.
He first generated headlines for his efforts on Richmond star Martin back in round three when the Tigers dynamo was limited to just 15 touches and showed visible frustration at de Boer’s tag.
De Boer missed the return match with Richmond in round 17 because of a shoulder injury which forced him out for seven games.
Back a couple of weeks before finals, de Boer has played his role in the Giants’ season-best four-match win streak, locking down the Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, Brisbane’s Lachie Neale and Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury in successive finals.
Richmond on Saturday stands between GWS and their first AFL flag and de Boer could find himself on Martin at the MCG.
“It’s a team approach, it won’t be just me If he’s the one that I play on over the day,” de Boer told AAP.
“He might go forward, who knows? It’s about sticking to our structures and our systems and not letting them disturb them.”
The former Docker has got used to fielding countless questions about tagging this season.
“Personally I think people find it interesting and curious because it’s a little bit unique,” de Boer said.
“I’m just trying to learn and get better every time I do it, There’s always little tips and tricks I pick up off playing on certain players.
“I’m really privileged to be so close to them essentially and then even more lucky to have an elite midfield around me and (ruckman) Shane Mumford as well.
“It’s been an interesting role and one I’m just trying to embrace as best I can.”
Given his history perhaps de Boer understands the situation facing GWS this week better than anyone else at the club.
Six years ago he was part of a Fremantle side also striving to win a first flag, but which ultimately lost by 15 to Hawthorn in a low scoring grand final.
“I think we were very close in 2013 and I think unlucky in the end to probably not get the job done,” he said.
