FREMANTLE skipper David Mundy could be regarded as the second-best player in the club's history behind Matthew Pavlich, according to former teammate Luke McPharlin.
Mundy, 31, will become just the second Docker – following in Pavlich's footsteps – to reach the 250-game milestone when he lines up against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday at Spotless Stadium.
Mundy admitted earlier in the week that the milestone had crept up on him, given the problems that have arisen during Fremantle's dismal season.
But McPharlin told AFL.com.au the current Dockers skipper has been one of the finest players and leaders that he has ever played with, saying he could mount a strong case that Mundy is second only to Pavlich among the club's greats.
Match preview: Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle
"He probably doesn't have the accolades, Peter Bell has won a few more best and fairests than him, and things like that," McPharlin said.
"At his best, I think he ranks second to Pav, in my opinion, in terms of the impact that he's able to have on games at his absolute scintillating best.
"Clearly Nat Fyfe is a gun and a champion, but I think what separates David a little bit is just his incredible decision making and his ability to execute under pressure.
"Certainly when David's absolutely firing, and I'm just thinking about some of the finals he's played, he's been incredible. So I rate him very highly."
Mundy won his only best and fairest in 2010. He has finished second twice, in 2013 and 2015, and has not finished outside the top seven since 2007. He was named All Australian for the first time in 2015.
McPharlin said Mundy was fairly laconic and laid-back in his early years but he noticed a real shift in his former teammate’s mindset in his fifth season.
"It was around 2009 when he really got going, and in particular 2010 when he stepped into the leadership group," McPharlin said.
"I noticed he had a desire to want to lead the team in some capacity. So when he came officially into that leadership group, I thought that was a real turning point for him, and he went on to win the best and fairest that year and then has sort of been a top-liner since then."
McPharlin said Mundy's ability to lift himself in big finals was one of his finest traits.
"His abilities are pretty evident for all to see," McPharlin said.
"But I think it's his performance in finals that have been pretty special as well, particularly the 2013 Grand Final he was outstanding.
"He gets himself up for the very big games and at his best he's such an incredible midfielder and so important to Fremantle as well."
Mundy had 28 disposals in the 2013 decider, a week after gathering 29 in the preliminary final against the Sydney Swans.
Luke McPharlin and Daviud Mundy enjoy a Fremantle win together. Picture: AFL Photos
McPharlin said Mundy's ability to lift himself in big finals was one of his finest traits.
"His abilities are pretty evident for all to see," McPharlin said.
"But I think it's his performance in finals that have been pretty special as well, particularly the 2013 Grand Final he was outstanding.
“He gets himself up for the very big games and at his best he's such an incredible midfielder and so important to Fremantle as well."
Mundy had 28 disposals in the 2013 decider, a week after gathering 29 in the preliminary final against the Sydney Swans.
