Victorian clubs set to target Freo defender
Jake Niall | May 13, 2008
FREMANTLE'S David Mundy is set to become a recruiting target for Victorian clubs, with the talented defender having put off any contract talks with the Dockers until the end of the season.
Mundy's management has informed Fremantle that he does not wish to enter into contract discussions until the end of the season — a decision that will prompt Victorian clubs to pursue the hard-running 22-year-old.
Mundy is one of three Victorians at Fremantle whose contracts expire at the end of the season. The Dockers face a challenge to re-sign super-tall ruckman Robert Warnock, who has attracted strong interest from Melbourne, where his brother, Matthew, plays, as well as Richmond and Carlton.
Ryan Murphy, who, like Warnock, has not been an automatic selection in the seniors this year, due to team balance, is the other Victorian coming out of contract.
Mundy's manager Anthony McConville said yesterday that Mundy had put off talks until season's end.
"At this time, yes, that will be left until the end of the year," McConville said, confirming that the Dockers had been informed of Mundy's decision.
McConville said he expected other clubs to be interested in Mundy, who has been a mainstay of the Fremantle defence since he emerged as a quality player in 2006.
"There's no doubt there would be interest in David, but at this stage, David's preferring to focus on his football and let everything take care of itself at the end of the year."
McConville also manages Murphy, who was promoted back to the seniors for the past two games and has played three of the seven matches this season for only one goal.
"Fremantle are still working out their match-ups and, you know, their forward set-ups," McConville said of Murphy's situation.
"But obviously, they need to look at what they're doing from their point and I suppose we'll only know further down the track."
Mundy would be the clear priority signing for the Dockers, given his track record, his reliability and running capacity.
Mundy is 192 centimetres and has been at his best playing on the third tall forwards and then using his play-reading ability, run and poise to instigate counterattacks.
His performances across half-back in 2006 were instrumental in Fremantle's late-season charge and led him to be selected to play for Australia in the international rules series against Ireland later that year.
Originally from Seymour, Mundy was drafted by Fremantle with pick 19 in the 2003 draft.
He has played 71 games for the Dockers.
He made his debut in round five, 2005, and has not missed a game since.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/vic-clubs-set-to-target-mundy/2008/05/12/1210444338760.html
