New dad David Mundy knows as well as anyone the important role women play in the game of Australian rules football.

The classy midfielder and wife Sally welcomed baby boy Finn into the world in May.

Ahead of AFL Women’s Round, Mundy credited the important role Sally plays to assist his life as an elite athlete.

“Sally’s got a massive job, doing most of the heavy lifting, and at times I feel a bit useless,” he said.

“She’s doing great helping to raise our child and start his life off very well and I’m very proud of what’s she’s been able to do.”

Mundy said Sally has been especially accommodating in nights leading up to games.

“She looks after Finn at night time, which allows me to get the sleep that I need to perform on the field,” he said.

Mundy falls into the category of AFL players who struggle to fall asleep after playing a game.

“Hopefully I can repay it back to her after games when I can’t sleep, so I can give Sally a break,” he said.

Mundy will get that opportunity this weekend after he failed to prove his fitness for Fremantle’s trip to Geelong.

The 2010 Doig Medallist also acknowledged the role his mother Karen has played in his career.

“The biggest thing she’s done for me is bring me into this world, but growing up, she really helped me get into sport and encouraged me and my sisters to participate in as many sports as we could,” he said.

“She and dad would drive us around the state to different carnivals and weekends away and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

With his family still living in Victoria, Mundy said he called his mother frequently, and he sees her at most Freo away games.