Shane Mumford is ready to embrace Sydney’s newest sporting rivalry as he looks at the new glamour Swans from the other side of the fence.
Tension between cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants is set to rise after the Swans poached superstar Lance Franklin in a recruiting coup – most expected him to join the Giants
– and GWS struck back by luring premiership ruckman Mumford to western Sydney
Mumford will play against his former teammates for the first time in the NAB Challenge series on February 20 – and again in Round 1 of the home-and-away season.
“It’s always a little bit strange playing against them for the first couple of times, but I have mates there that I’m going to have for the rest of my life, so I don’t think it’s going to be too different,” Mumford said.
“As soon as the siren has sounded it’s game on until the final siren goes and then you’re mates again.”
Mumford is just one of the new faces at the
club,
with fellow premiership player Health Shaw also making the move out west, where both players will part of the leadership group.
This leadership role is an exciting prospect for Mumford, who says it provides a chance for the younger guys to learn how to speak up on the field during play.
“The younger guys haven’t had that experience and haven’t been around long enough to know exactly what is really going on.
“Our on-field leadership especially with Heath Shaw and Josh Hunt down back – I think it’s going to be a great thing for us and it will spread throughout the rest of the group.”
As for the Battle of the Bridges in Round 1, Mumford is looking forward to going up against his former team and promises that the Giants won’t be holding back.
“You go into every game looking to win and with the pre-season we’ve had we’ll be pushing the Swans all the way, because I know we won’t want to be taking any backwards steps,” he said.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gws-recruit-shane-mumford-to-face-former-swans-teammates-in-sydney-blockbuster/story-fni5f7qp-1226804968364