Fremantle’s David Mundy has been amazed by the support he’s received in the build-up to his 300th game in purple this Saturday night.
The 33-year-old will become just the second WA-based AFL player after former teammate Matthew Pavlich to reach the landmark in the annual Len Hall Anzac Tribute Game against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
Immediately after Fremantle’s morale-boosting 24-point win over the Giants, text messages started flooding in from family and friends congratulating the revered Fremantle great about the approaching milestone.
"It's been an overwhelming couple of days, to be honest," Mundy said.
"All that comes out of nowhere. I play a team-orientated game and I'm looking for team success and for the team to really thrive.
"So to get really personal, individual and those well-wishes and messages of support, love and admirations, it's overwhelming.
"Personally, I'm really relieved to have got to this point now. My family and friends all booked their flights about four weeks ago for round six.
"That had been playing fairly heavily on my mind about avoid a little calf or hamstring injury that will keep me one week out.
"To get to this point healthy, really relieved and I'll be avoiding ground balls this week."
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Mundy's longevity and durability have been remarkable.
He was drafted with pick 19 in 2003 and after playing 17 games in his debut season in 2005, Mundy has been a near-constant presence for Fremantle, performing with almost unerring consistency across his career.
Fittingly, Mundy, the 2010 Doig medallist who finished runner-up for the third time last year, enters his milestone match in vintage form, averaging 24.4 disposals and 6.4 clearances.
"I've got a huge amount of personal pride in that, and I've always said over the last couple of years I don't want to be here just to hang around and be just a part of it," he said.
"I want to really contribute and be a valuable on-field member of our playing group, so that really drives me to get the best out of myself.
"I think we're building a really good system where I feel like I can really valuably contribute to that."
Mundy has been Ross Lyon's 'Mr Fix It' in recent campaigns, whose level head has helped guide Freo through a development phase since 2015.
There is light at the end of the tunnel for Fremantle after an upset win against the Giants on the road.
"I think it's really good reward for effort and it shows that we're on the right track," Mundy said.
"I think it gives us a lot of belief about what we're trying to do and how we're doing it.
"But the result on the weekend won't guarantee anything this week. It just gives us a little bit better feeling about ourselves and maybe a little bit more confidence and motivation.
“At the moment our challenge is that consistency of applying our game plan week-in-week-out. What we’re really focused on at the moment is the hard work and the process of now.
“If we do that right and if we tick that box enough times, that will come. (Finals) would be really nice but it’s not a huge focus.”
Mundy came agonisingly close to the ultimate with Fremantle in the 15-point 2013 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn, and challenging for a flag during the 2012-15 era ranks among his greatest football memories.
But, from an individual standpoint, booting the match-winning goal after the siren against Richmond at the MCG in round eight, 2017 is hard to top.
"Obviously the goal after the siren against Richmond personally is a really great memory and made more so that my sister is a really avid Richmond supporter," he said.
"But obviously the big finals we've played in, the big moments within games – there's been a few – but also the grinds through pre-season are also really memorable and really rewarding.
"To get to the end of those sessions and weeks with your brothers walking off the field absolutely exhausted knowing within that last two-and-a-half hours you've really taken a big step forward with what you've wanted to achieve.
"It's something that's away from the limelight, but it's really meaningful and really powerful."
