Former Docker de Boer retires

Former Fremantle midfielder Matt de Boer has announced his retirement from AFL football after 223 games with two clubs.

The 32 year old's retirement is effective immediately, having not featured at AFL level since round 13 against North Melbourne due to concussion.

De Boer began his career at Fremantle having been taken with pick 19 in the 2009 rookie draft from WAFL club Claremont, going on to become a fan favourite in purple in his 138 games including the club's maiden Grand Final appearance in 2013.

Often entrusted with the task of running with the opposition's premier midfielder as a tagger, de Boer fell out of favour with Fremantle coach Ross Lyon in 2016, playing only four games before being delisted at the end of the season despite winning Peel Thunder's best and fairest in a premiership campaign.

He found a second home at the Greater Western Sydney Giants along with fellow Docker Tendai Mzungu in 2017, becoming a reliable option for coach Leon Cameron again as a run with midfielder.

A concussion mid-season against the Roos has seen de Boer fail to feature at any level since, forcing him in to an early retirement.

IMAGE: Matt de Boer Twitter.