David Mundy’s remarkable AFL career will come to an end after 19 years, with the Fremantle legend announcing to teammates and staff on Monday morning that the 2022 season will be his last.

Mundy made his debut in round six of the 2005 season and has played 371 games to date to hold the Fremantle record ahead of Matthew Pavlich on 353.

Currently ranked 10th in the all-time games played list in AFL/VFL history, Mundy is set to move into outright ninth ahead of Adam Goodes (372 games) by the end of the home and away season.

Mundy said he has enjoyed every moment of his career and will leave the game feeling proud of how he has grown since he was drafted at no.19 in the 2003 National Draft.

“I’m incredibly proud, I’ve been living my dream for 19 years now and I’ve loved every bit of it,” Mundy said.

“Not all of it has been easy, there’s been quite a few, really hard and emotional bits to it, but I’ve been able to grow as a person and as a player throughout my time at Fremantle and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m really proud of the person I’ve been able to develop into, the family I’ve been able to create, and my role within the football club. I feel I’ve grown from a skinny full back who didn’t want to talk to anyone, to being a part of the leadership group for a number of years now.

“I’m proud of that growth and that journey and I’m looking to get the most out of this season and explore what’s next.”

So significant has Mundy’s career been in the context of Fremantle’s history, his growth and development is inextricably linked to that of the Club.

He has played in the 200-game milestone match of all 10 Fremantle players to reach the mark, a record that will extend to 11 with Michael Walters set to reach the milestone in round 23.

Of the 236 players to pull on a Fremantle jumper, Mundy can proudly call 147 of those his teammates, and he has travelled more than 900,000km in his career to be the most-travelled player in AFL/VFL history.

“I’ve grown up at the Fremantle Football Club and I’ve spent more than half of my life in WA and associated with Fremantle.

“The entire Football Club, and each iteration we’ve had with players, staff and coaches, have been really supportive and it’s been a great environment to work in and strive for success and excellence.

“The whole club integration at the moment is the best it’s ever been, I love coming to work every day and it’s meant a lot to me.”

Such has Mundy’s influence been, Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell said any current and future Fremantle success can be attributed to the impact Mundy has had on the Club’s culture, its players and staff.

“Dave has been a major part of where we are as a Club and where we are headed,” Bell said.

“He’s been a big part of the group that we have now. He’s a big part of why we’re very confident for the remainder of this year and the future.

“He’s a great character who understands the bigger picture, understands what the stresses of being a player are, and understands more broadly the other decisions and leadership that we need as a football club.

“I’ve been very thankful, and I know Justin Longmuir has been as well, to have someone like Dave to work with.”

Not only has Mundy epitomised what it means to be a Fremantle Docker on the field, Bell said Mundy also set the example off the field to his younger teammates.

“First and foremost, Dave is an outstanding character and family is everything to him. He has an amazing one with Sally and the kids, and they are such a big part of our Club,” Bell said.

“We’ve seen his professionalism, not just to play the number of games but also his consistency of performance, and that comes from his diligence in his preparation.

“He’s also been able to apply himself to his study and have some exceptional achievements in academia.

“While juggling all these things, he’s had so much time to give the players, particularly the young midfielders to help them develop.

“He’s been the definition of an all-round professional.”

Mundy was especially thankful for the support he’s received from his friends and family throughout his career.

“I’m really fortunate that I’ve got a lot of people behind me who are always ready to have a chat and be there for me,” Mundy said.

“Obviously, my wife Sally and my family are chief among those, but I have a great network of close friends who are only a phone call away.”

Fremantle will honour Mundy’s career at the Round 22 RAC Derby as the final home game of the season ahead of the finals series.

While the game will be the fans chance to say thank you to a Freo legend, it will be equally important for Mundy to pay tribute to the Purple Army.

“It’s been an incredible thing to be a part of to be honest, to receive that kind of love and respect from the fans,” Mundy said.

“It’s something that’s really grown in the back half of my career and I find it really hard to describe how it makes me feel.

“It’s obviously very special and I really appreciate that support.”