FREMANTLE utility David Mundy has welcomed back his side's intensity and pressure skills following Saturday night's drought-breaking win over the Sydney Swans at Subiaco Oval.

Winless and seemingly lacking commitment in the first month of the season, Fremantle turned that form on its head to beat the Swans by 21 points.   

Mundy, the side's chief contributor, said it felt good to win a game on the back of pressure and intensity.

"It's probably something that we've been missing in the first four rounds and something we were doing in the pre-season pretty well," he said after the match.
 
"So for that to come back was a big emphasis and we’re quite happy with how it went."

A heavy loss to the Saints in round four was something of a catalyst for Fremantle, said Mundy.

"I think after our disappointing game against St Kilda last week we just really emphasised what we needed to do – what we always knew we needed to do, but weren't doing.

"There was a real emphasis and commitment from the group to really knuckle down and the result speaks for itself.

"If you were in the rooms after the St Kilda game you would have felt that the boys were shattered, and I think there was a real mood shift from then.

"To lose like we did last week, it kind of kicked the boys in the arse a little bit."

Mundy predicted the win will be a watershed for Fremantle in regard to the effort needed to compete and win week-in, week-out.

"Nobody likes losing four games in a row and we lost them all quite convincingly in the end.

"(But) I think we now know how we need to play each week and what we have to bring to a game."

Fremantle won the clearances and the contested possessions count for the first time this season with skipper Matthew Pavlich (18 contested possessions) and Mundy (14) leading the way.

Roger Hayden, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin were also key players for Freo, while Steven Dodd was crucial blanketing Swans star Ryan O'Keefe.

Mundy, who had 20 touches, seven tackles and three goals, wouldn't be drawn on his own match-winning performance.

But he was happy to expand on the heroics of his captain Pavlich, who returned to form spectacularly after a month of intense scrutiny that had followed him and his side.

"Pav's a great player, and we've all had quiet months, so for him to come out and play like he did tonight was great," Mundy said.

"I was just happy to get a kick and happy we won."