Fremantle champion David Mundy's decision to retire has sparked talk over a "Luke Hodge-esque trade" for him to play on in 2023 and assist an ailing club.
Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph has revealed that Mundy was simply not offered another contract by Fremantle before electing to retire, suggesting that he has to capacity to play on.
"(Mundy) just wasnโt offered a new deal and he wouldโve played onโ, Ralph said on Fox Footy.
"I asked his management โฆ Two weeks ago, he said โIโll keep playing at this club until they kick me outโ โฆ He was hopeful with contract negotiations as recently as two weeks ago and it didnโt happen,โ Ralph told On The Couch.
"Thatโs not a pot on Fremantle, they just decided to go another way and thatโs fine."
"It happens to the greats. They always want to play on."@RalphyHeraldSun says David Mundy was "pushed" out of the Dockers and could potentially be open to playing at another club next year
Should North Melbourne sign David Mundy for next year? #RSNCentral @ghall27 pic.twitter.com/7VU4Eg6U6t
— RSN927am (@RSN927) August 2, 2022
Mundy's career has spanned 17 years and 371 senior games, wearing all 32 iterations of the Fremantle jumper. The 37-year-old captained the side in 2016 and remains one of the club's spiritual leaders.
On the field, Mundy's form has not missed a beat, with the gritty midfielder earning AFL Coaches Association MVP votes last Friday night against the Melbourne Demons for a 35 disposal, 15 contested possession and 10 clearance outing.
Across season 2022, Mundy has continued a steady average of 20+ disposals per game, alongside 3.8 tackles.
With some struggling clubs crying out for an experienced head, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt says his form, leadership and experience would be put to good use at North Melbourne.
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"I understand his reasons because you want to go out maintaining that really strong level of performance, but he wasnโt showing any signs of slowing down," Riewoldt saidย on Fox Footy.
"He sounded definitive then, but if youโre North Melbourne, would you say to him: โDave, come play for two years, stick around and be an assistant because we need some leadershipโ โ would you make the phone call?"
The essence of the proposed deal would be akin to Luke Hodge's signing with Brisbane in 2017, where he essentially arrived as an on-field coach to help the Lions' young and developing playing list.
Outgoing Docker David Mundy explains why he's been able to play so many AFL games despite a grueling travel schedule.
๐บWatch #OnTheCouch on @foxtel CH 504 or stream on @kayosports pic.twitter.com/LNjd9Xr0u5
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 1, 2022
Although, when asked by the Fox Footy panel if he would play beyond 2022, Mundy said he was "happy and content" with the decision to retire.
"Iโm really proud to still be able to strongly contribute on gameday in the 22", Mundy said.
"Iโve been thinking for a long time that Iโd feel really guilty if I hung on and battled my way through a year and ended as a broken, crippled old man. To go out on top I feel a great deal of pleasure in."
The Dockers face a fight to keep their top four chances alive against the Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium (4:35pm AEST).
