MILESTONE man David Mundy has put in a star display to help lift Fremantle to a 19-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium and lift his side to second on the ladder.
Alarm bells were ringing for Fremantle when the Bulldogs opened up a seven-point lead early in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash.
But Mundy helped turn the tide back Fremantle's way, with the 300-game midfielder scoring two goals in four minutes to put the Dockers back on track.
A great goal for David Mundy in his 300th game!#Mundy3Hundy #AFLFreoDogs pic.twitter.com/Ji6yXm4JRL
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2019
Mundy finished with 28 disposals, two goals and six clearances in the 13.10 (88) to 9.15 (69) win, while Brandon Matera booted five goals in front of 43,732 fans.
DOCKERS DO IT FOR MUNDY Full match coverage and stats
The result improves Fremantle's record to 4-2, while the Bulldogs are struggling at 2-4 after four-straight losses.
"I spoke during the week that you need to honour it with deed, because word is easy," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said of Mundy's milestone.
"We thought we honoured the occasion with great effort, and the respect and the esteem that it deserves.
"It's hard and it's a grind in AFL footy. But occasionally some special moments bob up, and this is one of them."
ANALYSIS Mundy writes his own fairytale in 300th
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge cut a frustrated figure after the match.
"The most disappointing thing is we were in a position to win it and we faded in the first two thirds of that last quarter," Beveridge said.
BEVO'S LAMENT Dogs coach wants a little help for Naughton
The Bulldogs won the clearance battle 31-26, and were well served by Lachie Hunter (32 disposals, one goal) and defender Caleb Daniel (30 disposals).
But their poor delivery inside 50 and inaccuracy in front of goal cost them dearly, with the visitors also unable to find an answer to Mundy's third-quarter heroics.
GAMEBREAKER Mundy puts on a clinic in his 300th
Joel Hamling and Alex Pearce were rocks in defence for Fremantle.
Both teams formed a guard of honour for Mundy after the match, with Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce chairing him off.
An all-in push and shove occurred late in the opening term when Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore floored Michael Walters after a goal.
Tempers flared in the first quarter of #AFLFreoDogs. pic.twitter.com/LN30t2m01m
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) April 27, 2019
Tempers threatened to boil over again on the quarter-time siren when Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan engaged in a wrestle with some Bulldogs players.
They were eventually separated on both occasions, and Fremantle headed to the first break with a handy 13-point lead.
Fyfe dominated in the first quarter with 10 possessions and a goal, but the skipper was much quieter in the second as the Bulldogs made their move.
Mundy lifted in the third quarter to give Fremantle the ascendancy, and Matera booted three goals in the final term to put the result beyond doubt.
David Mundy is putting on a clinic in this third quarter!#Mundy3Hundy pic.twitter.com/wVwypQknVo
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2019
MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: The Dockers got through the game with a clean bill of health.
Western Bulldogs: Hayden Crozier copped a knock in the first quarter and left the ground under the blood rule, but he played out the game unhindered.
We've seen Hayden Crozier fly for massive marks - but how often have you seen a defender fly this high for a spoil?#AFLFreoDogs pic.twitter.com/sBs1l0Pu5o
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2019
NEXT UP
The Wester Bulldogs face another tough task hosting Richmond at Marvel Stadium next Saturday night. Fremantle travels to Adelaide Oval next Sunday for a chance to further entrench its position inside the top four.
FREMANTLE 4.3 6.7 9.9 13.10 (88)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.2 6.6 8.9 9.15 (69)
GOALS
Fremantle: Matera 5, Mundy 2, Walters 2, Brayshaw, Hogan, Fyfe, Taberner
Western Bulldogs: Lloyd 2, Smith, Hunter, Hayes, Wallis, Gowers, Dickson, Bontempelli
BEST
Fremantle: Mundy, Fyfe, Matera, Hamling, Hill, Walters
Western Bulldogs: Hunter, Wallis, Macrae, English, Crozier, Daniel
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Brown, Whetton
Official crowd: 43,732 at Optus Stadium