Playing on the 17th anniversary of his AFL debut, David Mundy was a man on a mission during Fremantle’s epic three-point win against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
The 36-year-old continued to be a cool head in Fremantle’s midfield, leading the team with 11 contested possessions and seven clearances.
Mundy highlighted that Fremantle had let Geelong back into the game in the final minutes off the back of some defensive errors, but at the final centre bounce with 30 seconds remaining, Mundy won two crucial ground balls that helped Sam Switkowski eventually clear the ball Freo’s way and ice the game.
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“We were fully cognisant of them having a real dip in the game and got a bit of field position and the crowd got a bit noisy, it was pretty tense,” Mundy told ABC Grandstand.
“We got a few things wrong in those last five minutes so it was a bit closer than we would have liked, but it’s a big trip for us coming from the other side of the country and we played pretty well to be honest, so it’s a nice feeling.”
While Mundy was the hero in the final seconds, he said the team's work late in the opening term was where the game was won.
Geelong raced out of the blocks with the opening three goals before Freo wrestled themselves into the game through goals to Rory Lobb, Nathan O'Driscoll and Lachie Schultz to cut the margin to nine points at the opening break.
Freo then kicked 10 of the next 15 goals to get on top of their heavily favoured opponents.
“I think the second and third quarters, we were able to play our football for longer periods,” Mundy said.
“I was most pleased with the first quarter as they got out to a few goals and we were able to wrestle the momentum back and get on the scoreboard to keep it tight at quarter time. The second and third quarters, we were able to push ahead.”
The win was Mundy’s 182nd from his 359 career games, one that is arguably among the most important in his career as the veteran looks to get another crack in the finals.
“We’ve been together for three years now essentially with Justin and have spent a lot of time together in hubs over the last two years in particular,” Mundy said.
“The group’s been growing and certainly, we’ve been able to more consistently apply our game plan on game day, which has been great.”
Mundy had particular praise for Blake Acres, who arguably played his best game in purple and continued his excellent form in 2022.
Acres had 27 disposals, eight inside 50s, four rebound 50s, six marks, four tackles, six intercepts and 675 metres gained.
He once again dominated the highlight reel with a goal on the run outside 50 after cleverly intercepting a Geelong rebound 50.
"Blake’s had a terrific start to the year and (his goals) add a cherry on top of his game at the moment," Mundy said.
"It's the physical pressure he can put on the opposition and we know what a great runner he is on the outside for us, so he’s having a great year."
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