Matthew De Boer Biography

Fremantle has re-signed three of its young guns, including speedster Stephen Hill, Matt de Boer and Lachie Neale.

"We regard all three players highly, and we are very pleased that they have committed to the club," general manager of player management Brad Lloyd said.

"We see Stephen, Matt and Lachie as being very much a part of the long-term future of the club."

Matthew Pavlich has been retained as skipper of Fremantle with a five-man leadership group to assist him that will include Aaron Sandilands, Luke McPharlin, David Mundy, Matt de Boer and Hayden Ballantyne.

"It's humbling to know my peers and the coaching group hold me in that esteem," Pavlich said.

"I understand the responsibility that goes with the role and, hopefully, I can continue to develop and grow."

Ballantyne says his appointment to the leadership group is an honour.

"We have certain criteria that we hold ourselves to and I've worked as hard as I can to maintain those standards and it's been noticed by the team," Ballantyne said.

Fremantle's Matt DeBoer is eyeing an inside midfield role next season after being primarily used as a forward defensive player.

"I'll be working really hard so I can try and feed the ball out to Hilly (Stephen Hill) and David Mundy and let them do the flashy things on the outside," he said.

"I just like going out there and playing with the boys. Hilly can outrun anyone and I can put my body on the line for the team, so I'm happy to do my part."

Matt de Boer will become Fremantle's fourth debutant this year when he runs out in Saturday's western derby at Subiaco Oval.

"It's a big occasion for him," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

"He's a product of WA football, coming from grass roots, playing at Claremont, being on the rookie list and now playing his first game for Fremantle against West Coast.

"He's got a more seasoned bodies than a lot of other guys we've got just out of the side at the moment.

"He's got a good temperament and he's got this exciting nature about him that can really enthuse the side.

"I'll ask him to fill a role and hopefully he can do that.

"Every club goes through injuries but when you lose one of your star midfielder like Rhys it can be difficult so it puts pressure on other guys to fill the void in that area."