Co-Ross Glendinning Medallists, David Mundy and Michael Barlow, have played down personal accolades, praising the team effort for tonight’s emphatic victory over West Coast.

The pair, who were the first co-winners of the Medal, put on a Carlton Mid Derby midfield master-class, helping Freo defeat the Eagles by 28 points at Patersons Stadium.

Barlow, who won the Glendinning Medal in just his sixth AFL game in 2010, was prolific from the beginning, winning 27 disposals, most of which were in the first three quarters when the game was on the line.

He was unshakable in the trenches with 14 contested possessions, six clearances and nine tackles.

Speaking after the game, he said the team had entered the Derby with the focus of playing “Fremantle football first”.

“We wanted to control the things we could control, and that’s the 46 guys on our list and, come game day, the 22 players executing their role,” Barlow said.

“We saw some great examples of that tonight with Ryan Crowley on Luke Shuey and Matt de Boer on Shannon Hurn.

“We’re super impressed with what the 22 delivered tonight.”

Barlow also heaped praise on the efforts of Jon Griffin, who outplayed champion Eagles’ ruckman Dean Cox to give Freo’s midfielders quality looks in the middle.

“A lot has been made of Aaron Sandilands’ injury, but Jon Griffin is a fantastic ruckman and competitor in his own right, and a great guy to play with,” he said.

After a slow start, Mundy exploded into action to amass 27 disposals, 14 of which were contested.

The 2010 Doig Medallist also had six clearances and laid 10 tackles.

He said it was a great honour to share the Glendinning Medal with Barlow, but that the most pleasing aspect to come out of the game was the team effort.

“Obviously, that first quarter was a bit ordinary, but I think after that we played how we liked to,” he said.

“I think tonight was a really good step forward for the boys.”

Mundy added that he and Barlow, who both had compromised pre-seasons entering the 2012 season, had benefitted from a strong summer on the track this time around.

“Training all summer makes a big difference,” he said.

“Hopefully we can stay injury free all year and really build on the chemistry in the middle, not just with Mick, but with everyone in there.”