Shane Mumford intends to play on in 2020 but in a modified role
Many doubted whether Shane Mumford’s body was shot but the GWS ruckman doesn’t care what the doubters think about his form and he isn’t ready to retire again.
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The indestructible Shane Mumford is set to defy medical expectations for a second time by playing on next season.
AFL legend Wayne Carey said last week the GWS ruckman looked like he was running in quick sand and other ex-greats Luke Darcy and Chris Judd suggested the Giants should dump Mumford for last week’s preliminary final because they felt his body looked busted.
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But the 33-year-old, who has already retired once due to chronic injury, silenced his critics at the MCG by producing an epic final three minutes which will define his already sizeable legacy in the game.
Mumford revealed he is set to play a modified role in 2020 as a player/coach where less games would hopefully keep him fresh should GWS go deep into another finals campaign.
GWS has been heavily linked with departed Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs, and he and Mumford could form a ferocious combination.
There is life in the old Mummy yet, with his stunning revival set for a sequel no one expected.
But first things first — a second Grand Final for the former Sydney Swans premiership player who was in medical retirement this time last year.
“I’m probably still pinching myself. Being on the sidelines last year watching and seeing the boys get knocked out when they did was tough,” Mumford told The Daily Telegraph.
“But to come back and be playing 12 months later and have ourselves in the position we’re in is pretty special.
“That’s why we play football isn’t it. You come back to try and win premierships. That was obviously the reason that inspired me to come back. The boys got so close and felt that heartbreak again so to be able to come back and put us in a position now where we’re challenging for it, it’s pretty cool.
“I’d say it’s probably looking that way (that I will play on next year). I’m not going to say yes just yet, because you never know what’s going to happen in football or what’s going to happen with your body or your mind.
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“I’ll sit down with Leon once the season is over.
“Next year, if I roll more into that sort of coaching role and playing here and there as a back-up or something like that. With me being able to train with the younger ruckmen it certainly helps bring them on a bit quicker.”
Critics slammed Mumford after he was beaten by Brisbane ruckman Stefan Martin in the semi-final.
There were fears about how he would match-up against Collingwood ruck terminator Brody Grundy.
But Mumford’s contributions aren’t necessarily quantifiable in statistics.
In the dying moments against Collingwood, when the Giants were under siege — he locked the game down and the image of him selling candy to Scott Pendlebury before kicking clear for the final siren will live long in GWS folklore.
GWS has won 16 of the 20 games Mumford has played this year and regardless of what the critics might think, his body feels up for the challenge of another season of AFL.
“I think I’m pretty surprised with the amount of games I have played. If you had told me at the start of the year I was going to play 20 games I probably would have said, you’re crazy,” he said.
“It doesn’t really worry me (the criticism). I don’t read too much into. No offence here, but I generally don’t read too many articles and things in the paper. Especially about football.
“I really don’t hear the news. Other people have said stuff to me about, ‘have you heard this, have you heard that?’ and it’s like, to be honest, I don’t really care what other people think.
“I know when I’m out on that field I do everything I can for us to get the win.”