Sydney Swans big man Shane Mumford's on a mission

THE cavalry might have arrived to save the Sydney Swans' season in the form of big man Shane Mumford.

Shane Mumford

THE cavalry might have arrived to save the Sydney Swans' season in the form of big man Shane Mumford.

It's that serious because Sunday's clash against the resurgent Western Bulldogs is pivotal to the campaign of the faltering Swans.

If they win they travel to Melbourne to play Essendon the following week with a 7-3 win-loss record. Lose and they are 6-4 and face limping to the mid-season break at 6-5 if they can't beat the impressive Bombers.

That would be a disaster for the Swans after they were unbeaten in the first five rounds of the competition. It would leave them in a dogfight with a host of clubs just to finish in the top eight. Among those clubs would be quality teams including premiers Geelong, early premiership favourites Hawthorn and the resurgent Richmond and Western Bulldogs.

That's not a place Swans fans would have dreamed of being a month ago. Mumford has played just twice this season after being sidelined for six weeks with a combination of a back injury and an infection from a needle.

"Mumford has done everything he could to make himself available for selection this week," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"He'll be assessed after the team's final training session. Shane has done everything we've asked of him."

Mumford's last match was in round three against Port Adelaide. While he is light on for match fitness, it's a measure of the importance of Sunday's clash against the Western Bulldogs that the Swans have brought him back.

Mark Seaby and Mike Pyke have both battled on manfully in his absence but the big man from Bunyip is one of the best young ruckmen in the competition. He provides extra grunt at the stoppages and has the ability to go forward and kick goals - something the Swans have been in desperate need of over the past month. Jesse White has also been named in the team as back-up in case Mumford isn't right for the match.

Livewire forward Tony Armstrong is another who has been named in the 25-man squad.

"(Armstrong's) form has been solid enough to come into the squad," Longmire said.

"He'll come under strong consideration at training tomorrow and will be a chance of playing his second game." Swans defender Alex Johnson is in the squad despite leaving the ground after receiving a blow to his elbow in last weekend's loss to St Kilda. Longmire said the young defender has recovered well and is expected to play on Sunday.

"Alex Johnson is fine," Longmire said.

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IN other news, Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL, according to St Kilda coach Scott Watters.

Watters believes his Saints getting on top of the Tigers' engine room of Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley, Dustin Martin and Shane Tuck is the key to tonight's huge Etihad Stadium clash between two finals hopes desperately needing wins.

"Their midfield, it's arguably the best midfield in the AFL - it's a really well-balanced side," Watters said.

"Have a look at the depth. Cotchin, Martin, Deledio, Foley, the list goes on and on. If it's not the best midfield, it's certainly close."

The Tigers have not only been able to win ball, but use it brilliantly - their speed at running and spreading the ball to dangerous players like Deledio key to challenging some of the AFL's best teams this season.

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