AFL Induction Camp: GWS Giants coach Shane Mumford urges real-life lessons for AFL rookies
RECENTLY retired Giants star Shane Mumford says AFL clubs should look at adopting a scheme of work placements for draftees similar to the one used so effectively by the Melbourne Storm.
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RECENTLY retired Giants star Shane Mumford says AFL clubs should look at adopting a scheme of work placements for draftees similar to the one used so effectively by Melbourne Storm premiership coach Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy introduced the compulsory program for recruits more than a decade ago to educate his players about life in the real world.
Former Bulldogs prop Sam Kasiano is the most recent example of the success of the exercise after completing a two-week placement at Werribee Racecourse.
The big man has gone on to drop 12kg from his massive frame.
Mumford had his share of weight problems as well before he arrived as a 21-year-old at Geelong in 2008. He also had more than three solid years in the workforce completing a boiler-making apprenticeship.
The AFL Players Association yesterday began their two-day induction camp which aims to educate the more than 100 rookies on the pitfalls and challenges of being a professional footballer.
Mumford is now the GWS Giants ruck coach and believes the youngsters should add some work experience to their preparation for the big time.
“It would be good to put some of the new players into the workforce for a week,” Mumford told the Daily Telegraph.
“Put them on an apprentice wage and show them how hard it is for most people. It gives you an appreciation of how good footballers have it.
“Not everyone gets $80,000-100,000 straight out of school.”
Mumford says his memories of getting up early and working long physically hard hours never left him throughout his 10-year 172 game career.
“It’s a tough world out there and your appreciation goes through the roof when you’ve done the hard yards on $250 per week,” Mumford said.
“That was what I was getting as a first-year apprentice. I remember going out and picking up bits of steel which were frozen underneath. I definitely won’t be going back to boiler-making. I’m more than happy to role into the coaching role.”
Mumford had his outstanding career cut short by a foot injury and is now channelling his football IQ into the Giants’ very talented young ruckman Rory Lobb who, like Mumford, did the hard yards in the workforce before joining the AFL.
“Rory knows what it’s like in the real world,” Mumford said.
“He has an appreciation of how good footballers have it.”
Originally published as AFL Induction Camp: GWS Giants coach Shane Mumford urges real-life lessons for AFL rookies
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