Matthew Pavlich believes that David Mundy is a prime example of not needing to be superman to do superhuman things.
In the latest episode of Old Bull, Young Buck, Pavlich said what made Mundy remarkable as a footballer was that there was almost nothing remarkable about him.
Pavlich said it was something he had in common with Mundy and also saw in 405-gamer Shaun Burgoyne, who Pavlich grew up playing alongside in their junior careers in South Australia.
It comes with Mundy set to equal and then pass Pavlich’s all-time Fremantle record of 353 games over the next fortnight.
“I've got this theory about guys who play a long time. (Players like) Shaun Burgoyne, myself, a few others and David - I think it rings true that they don't have any real physical aspects that are any good,” Pavlich said.
“(Mundy’s) not that quick, he's a terrible runner. His 3km and 2km (time trials) are horrendous. He’s not that strong in the gym, he does okay, but nothing too special.”
Pavlich said footballers who aren’t as physically gifted make up for it with their skill and have to learn to play smarter than their opponents.
“I think the less physical speed, strength or ballistic movement you have, the more likely you are to be more durable,” Pavlich said.
“You've got to have lots of footy IQ and a bit of luck along the way with injuries and great mental application to keep getting up week after week for a long period of time.
“I played with Shauny Burgoyne for a long time growing up. He was gifted with skill and knew where the ball was about to go but he wasn't that fast and he wasn't that good of a runner.
“He was very silky with the ball in hand, a bit like (Mundy), he used the ball so well.
“So maybe there's a theory out there for recruiters, don't worry about the physical capabilities, worry about the footy IQ (as long as) they're okay at most things.”
Pavlich spoke from experience when saying that luck played a big role in playing 300 games and beyond.
He highlighted one game in where he felt he was a blade of grass away from a career-ending injury.
“I went up for a mark and we were playing the Saints at Subiaco. I came down and Matt de Boer, being the Kamikaze that he is, was head first. I sort of landed and he and his opponent came in - my foot was like a millimeter off the ground and if it was planted in the ground, that's a broken leg, knee gone,” Pavlich said.
“I remember we both got swept off our feet, we did a tumble, somehow I took the mark and I remember thinking, wow, that could have been season over or career over…and how many times does the opposite happen?”
Record-breaking logistics
RAC Derby squads: Fremantle | West Coast
Gallery: Main training 12 August
