FORMER Fremantle midfielders Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu have hit back at critics who have labeled them little more than back-up players at their new club, Greater Western Sydney.

The pair had their careers revived by the Giants after falling out of favour at the Dockers in 2016, with de Boer taken with the club's last selection (58) at the NAB AFL draft, and Mzungu landing in Sydney via the rookie draft.

With the amount of talent on the GWS list, there's little doubt that both men face an enormous task to force their way into Leon Cameron's best side, but while some outside the club might see them as purely depth players or insurance against an injury crisis, de Boer and Mzungu see it differently.

De Boer, who was in Vietnam on an off-season trip when he found out the Giants were interested in extending his career, played 138 games in eight seasons for Fremantle, but managed just four appearances this year, and never played two in a row despite dominating at WAFL level.

The 26-year-old finished runner-up in the Sandover Medal after averaging more than 30 possessions in his 16 games, won the best and fairest at Peel Thunder, and helped the Dockers' WAFL affiliate to an historic first ever premiership, and told AFL.com.au that he and his good mate Mzungu hadn't come to the other side of the country to chase kicks in the NEAFL.

"I'm here to play senior games and help this team win; I'm not here to make up the numbers," he said.

"We'll be bringing our experience, and that mindset and attitude to every session to push the boys.

"They're driven and united, and that’s why they did what they did this year.

"I expected it to be a competitive environment, but to see it first hand the way they go about it, it's phenomenal the way they prepare.

"It's such a high standard and I feel like I'm going to thrive in this environment.

"There's no sense of entitlement here, we're just looking to work hard, grow, and see what's possible."

"Just to be part of this group is something special, so I'm open to any challenge and any opportunity; I can play as a pressure forward and do stints in the midfield, but if Leon (Cameron) wants me to play in the back pocket or in the ruck I'll do it."

Tendai Mzungu working the bag. Picture: gwsgiants.com.au 

While de Boer has a tough job ahead, Mzungu is coming from even further back, and has to wait for a spot to open up on the senior list before even thinking about playing at the highest level again.

The 30-year-old also spent most of the 2016 season with Peel and was dropped four times by Ross Lyon, but told AFL.com.au that he hadn't given any thought to those who doubted the Giants' decision to give him another chance.

"It doesn't faze me in the slightest. I know internally we're really driven and we think we can help this group," he said.

"From what I've seen, the standards are really high and we believe we can deliver on that too.

"It's not daunting, it's exciting to me. I want to play in a great team and I see some real possibilities here.

"I know I need to work incredibly hard, and if an opportunity presents itself then I'm sure I'm up for the challenge.

"I treat it as a real opportunity at a team that is really on the rise and driven for success."

Matt de Boer right behind Tendai Mzungu (centre) in a recent GWS time trial. Picture: gwsgiants.com.au

Despite the Dockers struggling to just four wins this year, the experienced duo were left to battle in the WAFL while Lyon gave senior opportunities to his younger players, even with Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Michael Johnson and Harley Bennell missing for most of the year.

It was a tough spot to be in but de Boer and Mzungu got together late in the season with a large group of Dockers who spent significant time with Peel and decided to turn their situation into something positive, given the cloud that hung over their AFL futures.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't frustrating because it certainly was, especially with the way Fremantle were going," de Boer said.

"But we have high standards so we just tried to get the best out of ourselves at every session, and attacked each game ferociously trying to get something positive out of the year.

"We didn't want to play WAFL all season but if you're going to do it, you might as well do it well, and ultimately we committed to it and won the flag, which we'll have forever."