AFL veteran Shane Mumford’s surprising move after retiring for second time

Just weeks after retiring for the second time, an AFL veteran has made a surprising decision that could see him pull on the boots again.

AFL Round 15. GWS Giants vs Carlton at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast. 03/09/2020... Shane Mumford of the Giant and Marc Pittonet of the Blues . Pic: Michael Klein

Just weeks after retiring for the second time, GWS ruckman Shane Mumford has nominated for the upcoming national draft in a move that could see him have a remarkable third stint in the AFL.

The 35-year-old first retired at the end of the 2017 season before spending a year working with the Giants as their ruck coach.

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But Mumford came out of retirement in 2019 as a supplemental selection after deciding he was fit enough and still had the hunger to play AFL footy.

He played three more seasons for GWS before retiring again after the Giants’ 2021 campaign ended with a semi-final loss to Geelong.

Now Mumford, who played 216 games across his career, has surprised many by nominating for next week’s AFL draft.

It is an intriguing move but is effectively an insurance policy in case the Giants’ rucks go down with serious injuries next season.

Mumford had to nominate for next week’s draft in order to be eligible for the 2022 mid-season draft just in case GWS needs him.

Some pundits found Mumford’s decision bewildering given he hung up the boots just a few weeks ago.

“It’s odd, he retired,” AFL journalist Sam McClure said on 3AW’s Sportsday.

“GWS, move on! Just find another one (a ruckman). It’s weird.”

Big Mummy may not have played his last AFL game after all. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Former Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy said their was some sense in the Giants covering all bases in case they need Mumford to play in a worst-case scenario.

“Ultimately though, let’s just say they had the opportunity to put him on the list as they’re doing, or he nominates for the draft and they didn’t do it and they had four ruckmen go down, we’d be sitting here saying how stupid that they didn’t take advantage of it,” Healy said.

“(There’s) nothing lost by doing it”.

The Giants have three recognised ruckmen on their list for next year — Brayden Preuss, Matthew Flynn and Kieren Briggs.

Mumford still works at GWS across several off-field departments and while it’s unlikely he will play in the AFL again, this latest development means it remains a slim possibility he could suit up in the orange and charcoal once more.

Draft nominations closed on Wednesday ahead of next week’s draft, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday November 24.