Giants’ doting dad vital to club’s premiership hopes
MUMMY is a daddy, but he’s still a not-so-gentle Giant.
The GWS ruckman and wife Eva welcomed their first child Ollie to the world in November.
The sight of a doting Mumford cuddling his infant son is totally at odds with his football persona, where his take-no-prisoners style has his opponents regularly checking his whereabouts.
But the hard-hitter has a warning for his opponents, starting with the Adelaide Crows in the Giants’ season opener: don’t let the pretty picture deceive you.
“My physicality is my best attribute so I can’t afford to lose it,” Mumford told The Daily Telegraph.
If the pre-season games have been anything to go by there’s no evidence of any softening in the big man. His bump on Lance Franklin that caused the Swan to ricochet into Tim Taranto two weeks ago was proof of that.
What Ollie’s arrival has done is given the big man a new perspective.
“It’s definitely a life-changer,” Mumford said.
“Eva and I now have a lifelong commitment and someone to look after forever. We are both responsible for someone other than ourselves. More and more it’s about the future and providing the best you can for your kids as long as possible.”
Mumford clearly knows how to compartmentalise. The loving side of this mean man was also on show in January when he cradled Ollie at the tennis. He and his wife Eva were there to cheer on her sister Johanna Konta to victory in the Sydney International.
Konta has recently moved into the top 10 in the world and Mumford is hoping he can add to the clan’s list of sporting achievements with another premiership medallion.
The Giants are $4.50 favourites to raise their first premiership cup later this year and will need Mumford at the peak of his form to do it.
As he enters his 10th season in the AFL, Mumford remains the player they can least afford to lose and the good news for GWS is fatherhood is agreeing with him.
“I feel like Benjamin Button,” Mumford said.
“I’m a fine wine and getting better with age. Surprisingly I’m feeling really good coming into this season and have done more training than most years coming into round one. That will only help me.”
Mumford’s ability to stay fit will also be aided by the changes to the third man up in the ruck rule.
“I’m really enjoying the rule change,” Mumford said.
“I’m all for it, it’s a great thing and gives me the chance to have a one-on-one battle with my opponent. I think it will bring me into the game more.
“The more you can run your opponent around and wear them out the easier it is for you. I wasn’t a big fan of opposition midfielders or talls having a free run at you while you are wrestling with your opposition ruckman.”