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Dockers beat Bulldogs in Mundy's AFL 300th

3 minute read

Brandon Matera has booted five goals and David Mundy has put in a star third-quarter display to help lift Fremantle to an AFL win over the Western Bulldogs.

DAVID MUNDY of the Dockers kicks the ball during the 2017 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers at Domain Stadium in Perth, Australia.
DAVID MUNDY of the Dockers kicks the ball during the 2017 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers at Domain Stadium in Perth, Australia. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images

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.

"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."

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.

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.

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