Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford is expected to announce his AFL retirement on Friday.
Mumford’s future has been the topic of great speculation in recent weeks, with list manager Craig Cameron recently admitting “there’s a good chance that he might finish up” because of a series of chronic injuries.
“His body’s taken a fair whack across the journey,” Cameron said.
Mumford will hold a press conference at 12:30 AEDT alongside Giants coach Leon Cameron.
The imposing big man has a year to run on his contract but ankle and knee problems restricted his capacity to train throughout 2017.
The 2012 premiership ruckman managed to play 21 matches this year but broke his foot in week one of the finals.
Geelong signed Mumford as a mature-age recruit in the rookie draft at the end of the 2007 season. The former boilermaker then had stints at Sydney and GWS in a 172-game career.
The 31-year-old was commonly referred to as the Giants’ barometer by teammates because of the way he hunted the ball and imposed himself on contests.
Rory Lobb, who handled the bulk of the Giants’ ruck duties in September after Mumford hurt his foot, shapes as the side’s No.1 ruck in 2018.
If Mumford retires it could also mean more games for Dawson Simpson, who has played just twice since joining the Giants after the 2015 season.
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