Shane Mumford given all clear to play NEAFL practice matches during GWS-imposed ban
GWS Giants ruckman Shane Mumford will be able to get valuable match fitness during his club-imposed suspension as he vies for AFL comeback against Richmond.
GWS Giants star Shane Mumford has been given the green light to play a practice match while serving his club-imposed suspension.
The chance for invaluable match fitness is a major boost for Mumford who is determined to make up for lost time and be fit for an immediate AFL return against Richmond in round three.
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The Giants made the decision to stand Mumford down from the first two weeks of his comeback season following the leaking back in October of a five-year-old video showing him snorting a white substance.
However, the ban from the opening two AFL rounds doesn’t extend to the Giants’ NEAFL practice matches over the coming fortnight, as the 32-year-old ruckman chases key match conditioning after 18 months out of the game.
The Giants NEAFL side will play Sydney Uni this Sunday in Sydney to coincide with round one of the AFL, before taking on the Swans in a final trial match during round two on Saturday March 30.
All NEAFL practice games are organised privately between teams and aren’t officially AFL sanctioned games.
Mumford, coming out of his injury-forced retirement, is desperate to be rushed straight back into the AFL side for the Giants’ round three blockbuster against Richmond at Spotless Stadium, and GWS are giving him every chance to be selected.
“I’m not sure exactly how long or how much game time, but I’ll be playing a full game either this week or next week in the NEAFL practice matches,” said Mumford.
“I’ll have a nice little build-up to be able to put my hand up for round three.
“I’ve done just about as much of the pre-season this year as I’ve done ever, which has been a nice change.
“That’s obviously been a massive tick to get myself right to play.”
Mumford confirmed he has been spending a lot of time up forward during the pre-season, with GWS coach Leon Cameron planning to unleash the veteran in a slightly different role in 2019 to allow him and young ruckman Dawson Simpson to play in the same side.
The prospect of taking more set shots for goal does not concern Mumford who is confident he can benefit from more possessions around the ground under the AFL’s new ruck rules.
“It’s certainly something we’ve explored (playing up forward). I’ve done a lot of training down there this pre-season. I think Leon’s put it out to the media that you might see me playing a bit of a different role this year,” said Mumford.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to trying and I guess I need to be doing it a little bit over the next few weeks if it’s something we’re going to be doing for round three.
“I’ve always been an OK set shot for goal but I probably did about 20 times the amount of kicking last year because as a coach I was kicking balls at people a hell of a lot more than what I would have done previously in training. Hopefully you’ll see me hit a few more targets this year.”
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