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Why did Fremantle fail to chair off club legend David Mundy in milestone match?

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
David Mundy (right) wasn’t chaired from the ground in either his record equalling or record breaking matches.
Camera IconDavid Mundy (right) wasn’t chaired from the ground in either his record equalling or record breaking matches. Credit: Grant Viney/AFL Photos

Why did the Dockers fail the celebrate milestone man David Mundy on Sunday?

The veteran has become Fremantle’s outright games record holder, officially eclipsing the mark of 353 games set by superstar Matthew Pavlich.

But his teammates failed to chair him from the ground after the loss to St Kilda and did not form a guard of honour. Remarkably, footage shows it was Mitch Crowden first off the ground, and not Mundy.

St Kilda players were seen gathering in the centre of the ground post-game as Mundy spoke with ruckman Sean Darcy and former teammate, now Saint Brad Hill.

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Matthew Pavlich gets chaired off after breaking the Dockers games record in 2011.
Camera IconMatthew Pavlich gets chaired off after breaking the Dockers games record in 2011. Credit: SMG/The Slattery Media Group

But from that moment, there was no fanfare.

The Game AFL 2024

The week prior, when more than 51,000 fans turned out for Mundy’s record equalling match against West Coast, it was the midfielder who chaired retiring teammate Stephen Hill off Optus Stadium.

There was no guard of honour for Mundy on that stage either, despite the interest flagged by Eagle’s skipper Luke Shuey.

David Mundy chaired off his retiring teammate Stephen Hill instead of receiving any fanfare for his own achievement.
Camera IconDavid Mundy chaired off his retiring teammate Stephen Hill instead of receiving any fanfare for his own achievement. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos
Corey Enright is chaired off alongside Jimmy Bartel.
Camera IconCorey Enright is chaired off alongside Jimmy Bartel. Credit: Adam Trafford/AFL Media

Why both Mundy and Hill weren’t chaired together, a la Geelong’s Jimmy Bartel (300 games) and Corey Enright (games record) back in 2016, raised eyebrows.

And in a round where so many of the game’s greats were carried from the field, it begs the question… why not Mundy?

It’s true he’s not retiring like many of those chaired off last weekend, and will head into a remarkable 18th AFL season in 2022 after signing a new deal earlier this year.

But a quick look to rival clubs shows Fremantle let down a champion of the game – whether the humble star wanted the attention or not.

Scott Pendlebury was chaired off after breaking Collingwood’s games record, with a guard of honour from both teams.
Camera IconScott Pendlebury was chaired off after breaking Collingwood’s games record, with a guard of honour from both teams. Credit: DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE

When Matthew Pavlich became the Dockers games record holder, back in 2011, he was carried off the ground.

Same for new games record holders Travis Boak at Port Adelaide, Scott Pendlebury at Collingwood and Shannon Hurn at West Coast.

Club legend Pavlich said he paid tribute to Mundy with a personal note, but conceded there was no big salute at Blundstone Arena.

“I wrote David a handwritten letter just saying congratulations on the performance and the breaking of the record,” he said on SEN.

“My understanding is it was thoroughly recognised within the team but there was no banner … there was lots of protocols yesterday.

“In terms of the crowd and how it was recognised down there (in Tasmania), probably not as much (as Perth the week prior).”

There was plenty of fanfare for Matthew Pavlich when he hit 350 games.
Camera IconThere was plenty of fanfare for Matthew Pavlich when he hit 350 games. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Media

GAMES RECORD HOLDER FOR EACH CLUB

Adelaide Andrew McLeod (340)

Brisbane Simon Black (322)

Carlton Craig Bradley (375)

Collingwood Scott Pendlebury* (335)

Essendon Dustin Fletcher (400)

Fremantle David Mundy* (354)

Geelong Corey Enright (332)

Gold Coast Jarrod Harbrow* (191)

GWS Callan Ward* (185)

Hawthorn Michael Tuck (426)

Melbourne David Neitz (306)

North Melb Brent Harvey (432)

Port Adelaide Travis Boak* (303)

Richmond Kevin Bartlett (403)

St Kilda Robert Harvey (383)

Sydney Adam Goodes (372)

West Coast Shannon Hurn* (301)

Western Bulldogs Brad Johnson (364)

* players still on AFL lists in 2021

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