Mundy says Eagles no pushovers
Fremantle on-baller David Mundy has disputed suggestions West Coast's midfield is slow and undersized, saying he is preparing for a challenging day in Saturday's western derby at Patersons Stadium.
Mundy will play his 200th game for the Dockers and admitted a victory against their biggest rivals would make the milestone even sweeter.
But the 28-year-old, the 19th player selected in the 2003 national draft, said the enormity of the occasion had yet to sink in.
"It means I have been in football for a long time and I am one of the old boys now," Mundy said.
"I am very proud to have played 200 AFL games and it has taken a long time to get here. It's something that will hit home and I'll be able to reflect on once I have been out of football for a while."
Mundy said former coach Mark Harvey decided to move him from defence to the midfield.
"He (Harvey) saw something I guess that not too many other people did and persevered for a little while - I feel like I am repaying that choice now," he said.
The Dockers enter Saturday's match on a five-game winning streak and strong favourites to continue their domination of the Eagles, who haven't won a derby since round nine, 2012.
"This year we are 1-2 against West Coast and those two were pretty dismal losses in the pre-season, so we certainly know it's going to be a red-hot game," Mundy said.
"West Coast are going well now, they have won two in a row and they are going to come out firing like they did earlier in the year so it's going to be a really tough challenge, but one the boys are willing to face and eager."
The Dockers won the clearance battle 33-28 in their 19-point win in round seven and will need to restrict West Coast's inside 50s with their dangerous talls looming and key defenders Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson out of the side.
"I find them a very challenging midfield," Mundy said.
"Matty Priddis on the inside, I generally play against a fair bit, he's a big guy and hard to shift and then they have got their other guys - (Chris) Masten and (Luke) Shuey who are quick and can damage you really quickly."
Mundy is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and has yet to re-sign with Fremantle.
"I'm fairly comfortable with where it's at," Mundy said.
"I'm confident in time a resolution will come."
Matt de Boer trained strongly yesterday and looks ready to return from a knee injury. Zac Clarke and Lee Spurr were both absent from the session.
"This year we are 1-2 against West Coast and those two were pretty dismal losses …" " *David Mundy *
