MILESTONE man David Mundy has put in a star display to help lift Fremantle to a 19-point AFL win over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
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.
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.
The result improves Fremantle’s record to 4-2, while the Bulldogs are struggling at 2-4 after four-straight losses.
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.
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 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 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.
© AAP 2019
FREMANTLE 4.3 6.7 9.9 13.10 (88)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.2 6.6 8.9 9.15 (69)
Goals: Fremantle: B Matera 5 D Mundy 2 M Walters 2 A Brayshaw J Hogan M Taberner N Fyfe. Western Bulldogs: S Lloyd 2 B Gowers B Smith L Hunter M Bontempelli M Wallis T Dickson W Hayes.
Official Crowd: 43,732 at Optus Stadium.
