One of the most bizarre careers of recent times could yet have another twist in store, with former GWS Giants ruckman Shane Mumford surprisingly nominating for the upcoming AFL draft.
The 35-year old ruckman, who has played 216 games for the Giants, Geelong and Sydney, decided to call time at the highest level just a month ago. It followed his original ‘retirement’ all the way back in 2017, when a foot injury caused Mumford to officially pull up stumps before returning to the Giants a year later.
However, this latest backflip has a little more to it: Mumford is unlikely to be picked up, by the Giants or any other rival clubs. The ruckman, though, needs to nominate for the draft in order to be eligible for the 2022 mid-season rookie draft, where the Giants would be able to snaffle him should their ruck stocks take a hit.
The Giants have three ruckmen on their list at present: Braydon Preuss, whose 2021 was wiped out by injury after crossing to Melbourne; Matt Flynn, who was frequently dropped for Mumford last season before settling into a role as a ruck-forward; and Kieren Briggs, who also featured sporadically towards the back end of the season after Flynn suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
The mid-season draft, which returned in 2021 following a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2020, allows teams to use vacant list spots caused by either long-term injuries or mid-season retirements to pick up a replacement.
It was most famously used by Richmond in their 2019 premiership season, in which the retirement of Shaun Grigg enabled the Tigers to recruit Marlion Pickett. He would go on to make a memorable debut in the club’s grand final triumph that same year, against Mumford and the Giants themselves.
However, current AFL rules prevent teams from signing players in the mid-season draft that they have removed from their list the season prior, without them being first placed on the open market in the draft.
Tributes for Mumford following his October retirement announcement included this comical take from long-time teammate Heath Shaw, who made mention of the big man’s famous love of sausages.
The veteran is currently employed by the Giants in a number of off-field roles, mainly as a mentor to their ruck department, which he has done for a number of years.
The Giants aren’t expected to select Mumford unless catastrophe strikes… but the ruck crisis that engulfed fellow recent expansion club the Gold Coast Suns in 2021 makes it a sensible decision to have a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ option.
Should the worst occur, a remarkable AFL life may just have a few more miles left to tread.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Comeback and Australian Story redemption interview. " Yeah I keep falling on people but nobody knew it was an undiagnosed medical condition ". Still proper umpiring via early 50 metre penalties would have sorted him out. Isn't the GWS Hawthorn chap also coming back?
justif01
Guest
The Suns can do a North and poach him from the Giants to lead their ruck division until Witts returns from his knee injury.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
In the end, Mummy was ripped.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea l bumped into him in around 2006 at a Melb bar nearly tripped up :silly: Top bloke very approachable!
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Have you seen Mick? Skinny as a rake.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Skin folds are roughly the same :silly:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think Mummy is the same age as Mick Jagger?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It’s logs l’m after branches end up garden mulch :stoked:
O M
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I noticed there was still a lot of debris along there still to be disposed of.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
During the last storm on 28th Oct heavy winds created a bit of a mess along foreshore & some parks, mainly pine trees but some other varieties. They have been deemed dangerous to public have to be removed. Have a Lucas mill & will carve them up accordingly, mainly building material etc posts beams , studs & floor boards
O M
Roar Rookie
Where abouts in Willy Chan?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Getting some felled trees from Williamstown shortly might make a few walking sticks for the hoops & engrave some nice milestones for the retirees!
O M
Roar Rookie
And a shiny new Mobility Scooter as an end of season present for all retirees! :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Anyone for scones & a cuppa :laughing:
O M
Roar Rookie
Yeah, he’s a perfect fit for the Cats list/age profile Chan! (Old, Slow, lost a GF to the Tigers) :stoked: Geelong can then have a mass retirement at the end of next Season after they miss the 8.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Scott might grab him for one last dip!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I thought you were going to say Rolling Stones :laughing:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Had more farewell tours than Johnnie Farnham
Chris M
Guest
He's a little too young for Geelong to draft him. Otherwise, I wonder if there is any way this little ploy could backfire.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Backup? He is better than Nank and Soldo.