Dockers still believe in AFL finals quest
Fremantle utility Tendai Mzungu is confident the club can sneak into the finals this year, saying destiny is in the team's hands despite a lengthy injury list and a horror draw to finish the AFL season.
The ninth-placed Dockers are just two points adrift of Sydney and Essendon but could find themselves even further behind the eight-ball after Saturday's home clash with fourth-placed Carlton.
Adding to Fremantle's uphill battle is the one-match suspension Adam McPhee faces for striking St Kilda's Sam Gilbert, while influential pair Aaron Sandilands (toe) and David Mundy (leg) remain in doubt through injury.
But 25-year-old Mzungu, who has been a revelation this year after being plucked from WAFL ranks at the end of 2010, said all hope was not lost despite a run home that includes games against Carlton, North Melbourne (away), Collingwood (home) and the Bulldogs (away).
"We're still really positive," Mzungu said on Monday.
"We haven't dropped our heads once all year and we've had a few issues with injury, which are well documented.
"We go into every game thinking we can win and the next four games will be no different.
"Our destiny is in our own hands, so we will back ourselves to play well and beat Carlton this week."
With taggers Rhys Palmer (ankle), Matt de Boer (knee) and McPhee unavailable this week, Mzungu is in contention to get the daunting task of manning Carlton superstar Chris Judd, who has taken his game to even greater heights this season.
Mzungu, who restricted St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo to 25 disposals while gathering 30 possessions himself last Friday, said he would be up for the challenge on Judd if given the opportunity.
"If it's what's best for the team, I'll be happy to play on him," Mzungu said.
"If Harves (Mark Harvey) put the faith in me to play on him, I'd put my best foot forward. I'm not sure exactly how I'd go but I'd give it my best shot."
Mzungu had to wait until he was 24 before finally being snapped up by an AFL club, and said he couldn't help but pinch himself when lining up on some of the league's elite players.
"He (Dal Santo) was someone I watched on the telly and I really enjoy watching him play," Mzungu said.
"I still do get a little bit star-struck, I guess at times, running past some of the guys who I've admired along the years. I'm really lucky and I'll probably be doing the same Saturday."
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