AFL fans stunned by Fremantle veteran David Mundy's shock announcement

David Mundy's hopes of reaching the magical 400-game milestone in the AFL are over after the Fremantle veteran dropped a shock retirement bombshell on Monday.

Just last month, Mundy said he was keen to keep playing "until they kick me out" as excitement about the "Mundy Four Hundy" dream gathered steam.

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However, the 37-year-old stunned footy fans on Monday after revealing that he will step down at the end of the season.

Mundy, who has played a staggering 371 games in the AFL, informed teammates about his retirement plans on Monday.

The decision for Mundy to retire this year is surprising given his steady form and the fact Fremantle's premiership window has just opened.

Mundy tallied 35 disposals and 10 clearances in Friday night's 46-point loss to Melbourne, and is averaging 22.2 disposals and 4.7 clearances a game this year.

"I'm incredibly proud, I've been living my dream for 19 years now and I've loved every bit of it," Mundy said in a statement released by the club.

"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 feel I've grown from a skinny fullback 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."

The announcement sparked a flood of tributes to the popular star right across the footy world.

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Mundy's chances of snaring a dream flag in his final season appear slim after the Dockers tumbled to sixth on the back of a three-match winless run.

Fremantle will need to beat the Western Bulldogs, West Coast, and GWS in their final three games - plus rely on other results falling their way - in order to snare a prized top-four berth.

Hopes that Mundy would become only the sixth man to reach 400 AFL/VFL games - which sparked a fan campaign dubbed "Mundy Four Hundy" - are now set to fall agonisingly short.

He will, however, draw level with Sydney great Adam Goodes (372 matches) in equal-ninth on the all-time games played list when he lines up in Saturday's vital match with the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Fremantle's games record holder was selected with pick No.19 in the 2003 national draft, and captained the club in 2016.

Mundy was an All-Australian in 2015 and won the club's best and fairest award in 2010.

Fremantle's football operations manager Peter Bell paid tribute to Mundy's impact on the current squad and on the club as a whole.

"He's been a big part of the group that we have now. He's a big part of why we're very confident for the remainder of this year and the future," Bell said.

"He's a great character who understands the bigger picture, understands what the stresses of being a player are, and understands more broadly the other decisions and leadership that we need as a football club.

"I've been very thankful, and I know Justin Longmuir has been as well, to have someone like Dave to work with."

with AAP

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