Fremantle launched its NAB Cup campaign with a 47-point win over Melbourne at Subiaco Oval and mature-age rookie recruits Michael Barlow and Alex Silvagni slipped seamlessly into the side.
With midfielder Matt de Boer mounting a strong case for elevation with 17 senior games in 2009 and Clancee Pearce and Jay van Berlo also impressing in Sunday’s pre-season win, Mundy said competition for the remaining senior-list spots would be fierce.
“That kind of pressure is really good - it makes them fight for that spot and hopefully get the best out of themselves,” Mundy said from Fremantle Oval on Monday.
“Then if they’re playing that well week-to-week it puts pressure on the more senior guys to make sure their game’s up to scratch.
“All the young guys at the club are all playing really well and we couldn’t be more rapt with how they’re going. Michael Barlow, Alex Silvagni, all the young guys that have come over from the east especially.”
With Dean Solomon retiring and Antoni Grover the only veteran on Fremantle’s list, two rookies can be elevated ahead of round one. The club can also choose to place Tim Ruffles on the long-term injury list as he returns from a knee reconstruction.
Barlow, who averaged 30-possessions a game in the VFL last season, had a game-high 29 touches against the Dees, earning the praise of coach Mark Harvey.
Mundy said it was pleasing to see mature-age players taking their chances on AFL rookie lists.
“He’s in the same kind of mould as Hase (Paul Hasleby) I reckon, just a pretty smart footballer and he gets a bit of it,” Mundy said.
“You see the mature-age guys come in who have been through life a little bit before they’ve come to footy.”
Fremantle won comfortably on Sunday night and Mundy, who stepped up his midfield time, was his side’s best with 19 possessions and a team-high five clearances.
Mundy’s standout performance followed a best-afield display in Fremantle’s intra-club hit-out and the 24-year-old said he was enjoying the benefits of an uninterrupted pre-season.
“I’ve started off the year pretty well, I had a pretty good summer and I’m pretty happy with the way I’m moving around the park,” he said.
“I’ve hardly missed a session all summer, so I feel like I’m in pretty good nick.
“I’ve always said I’m not an athlete, I’m a footballer. Doing 400s I’m always mid-pack and I feel like I’ve made big inroads into that side of my game, which is really helping.
“Hopefully I can keep getting the footy.”
Fremantle will release an injury list on Tuesday, but prized draftee Anthony Morabito has been cleared of any injury after appearing to damage a knee on Sunday night.
Adam McPhee (ankle) and Byron Schammer (ankle) will be assessed, with McPhee likely to miss Sunday’s trip to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
