Fremantle Dockers champion David Mundy to retire at season’s end after 19 years in the AFL

Fremantle veteran David Mundy announces he will retire at season’s end after 19 years as an AFL footballer.

David Mundy’s AFL career will end this year after 19 seasons at the highest level. Picture: Getty Images

Fremantle games record-holder David Mundy has called time on his celebrated AFL career.

The 37-year-old champion informed his teammates on Monday morning that he would not play on for a 20th season, three days after making his 371st appearance.

That places Mundy in 10th place in VFL/AFL history, with Scott Pendlebury (352), Joel Selwood (350) and Lance Franklin (335) the closest to him among active players.

He won’t become the sixth footballer to play 400 games but could pass Adam Goodes (372) and Craig Bradley (375) and match Simon Madden (378) before his career ends.

“I’m incredibly proud. I’ve been living my dream for 19 years now and I’ve loved every bit of it,” Mundy said.

David Mundy never shirked a hard contest in his brilliant career. Picture: Getty Images

“Not all of it has been easy – there’s been quite a few really hard and emotional bits to it – but I’ve been able to grow as a person and as a player throughout my time at Fremantle and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m really proud of the person I’ve been able to develop into, the family I’ve been able to create, and my role within the football club.

“I feel I’ve grown from a skinny full-back who didn’t want to talk to anyone, to being a part of the leadership group for a number of years now.

“I’m proud of that growth and that journey and I’m looking to get the most out of this season and explore what’s next.”

After being drafted from regional Victoria in Seymour, Mundy has become a significant player in the Dockers’ present and past.

David Mundy was remarkably durable throughout his career. Picture: Getty Images

He played in the 200-game milestone match of all 10 Fremantle players to reach the mark and could do so for an 11th, when Michael Walters reaches that mark in round 23.

Mundy has incredibly played alongside 147 of the 236 players to pull on a Dockers jumper.

He won Fremantle’s Doig Medal as club champion in 2010, was an All-Australian in 2015 and captained the Dockers a season later.

Mundy matched dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe in winning an equal team-high 28 disposals in Fremantle’s 15-point grand final defeat to Hawthorn in 2013.

The Dockers will honour him in the round 22 Western Derby against the Eagles, which will be his final game in Perth.

Originally published as Fremantle Dockers champion David Mundy to retire at season’s end after 19 years in the AFL