Shane Mumford still likely to make AFL comeback with GWS Giants after drug video emerges
SHANE Mumford is said to be “really upset” after a dramatic video showing him snorting a white powder in 2015 was made public. Despite the vision, he is still likely make his AFL comeback with GWS, writes Jon Ralph.
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SHANE Mumford is “not in a good place” after a dramatic video emerging showing him snorting what appears to be cocaine in 2015.
Former Australian cricketer and GWS community liaison officer Gavin Robertson said Mumford was suffering after the revelation cast doubt on his potential AFL comeback with the Giants next season.
“He’s made a mistake in life but he’s not sitting back on a banana chair at home lapping life up. He’s not in a great place and he’s really upset with the choices that he’s made,” Robertson told Fox Sports.
Despite the video being made public, Mumford is still likely to be a GWS player again in 30 days’ time.
Mumford, 32, will likely dodge an official strike under the league’s illicit drugs policy because he is not currently playing after retiring from persistent injuries last year.
But he will be assessed and potentially suspended or penalised by the AFL integrity department for bringing the game into disrepute.
It is understood the Giants and AFL could follow the lead set in the Jake Carlisle drug case, where he was suspended for two weeks by the league which he served with new club St Kilda.
GWS has not yet made an official decision on redrafting Mumford at the November 23 pre-season and rookie draft meeting, but is seriously considering bringing their current ruck coach back on to the list.
He could be redrafted but only eligible to play AFL again from Round 3 or 4.
The video of the popular big man taking drugs emerged on the weekend, and insiders say Mumford was “devastated” by the fallout but determined to own his mistake and learn from it.
Mumford, who returned from a family holiday in Bali on Tuesday, was recorded while at a private party in Melbourne with everyone involved believing the video had been deleted that night.
No other GWS player or player from any other club was involved.
“The club is extremely distressed by the footage and views Shane’s actions as completely counter to the club’s values,’’ GWS said in a statement.
“The club is disappointed in Shane’s choice of actions at this time and also understands that Shane requires a level of medical support with his health and wellbeing in mind.
“The club will be working with Shane to ensure he engages in a rehabilitation program along with a range of other measures.
“Shane has expressed deep remorse, embarrassment and distress in relation to his actions. He understands he has let himself, his family and the club down and caused great embarrassment to those around him.”
The incident took place shortly after Mumford required serious season-ending ankle surgery that he believed might have ended his AFL career.
He is the latest AFL player to be caught using cocaine. Harley Bennell was handed a three-match ban by the Gold Coast Suns in 2015 after photos of him taking drugs in 2013 were published.
One of Mumford’s confidantes told the Herald Sun: “He is devastated. It is pretty raw but he has a wife and kids to think about. He needs to collect himself and make it right.“
With Rory Lobb traded to Fremantle and the Giants’ ruck stocks consisting of journeyman Dawson Simpson and youngster Matt Flynn, Mumford’s redrafting shapes as a critical part of their list build.
The Giants will select academy ruckman Kieren Briggs in the November 22 national draft but can secure Mumford the following day.
They also have the option under new AFL rookie rules of keeping a spot open for him until March 15 to put some distance between the drugs controversy and reintroducing him to the playing list.
Carlisle voluntarily accepted a drugs strike under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, but given Mumford is not an AFL-listed player the policy does not apply to him.
As an AFL club official, the league instead has total discretion to penalise him for conduct unbecoming, or to watch on while GWS penalises him for his infraction.
Mumford will in coming weeks undergo a round of drug and alcohol counselling and is not due back at the club for some weeks as part of the Giants’ off-season holidays.
The Giants have only been aware of the video since the weekend, mystified about why it came to light three years after it was shot.
That 2015 season was the same year in which Lachie Whitfield dodged a possible drugs test by hiding out at the home of welfare boss Craig Lambert. He was eventually suspended by the league for conduct unbecoming.
Originally published as Shane Mumford still likely to make AFL comeback with GWS Giants after drug video emerges