The influential ruckman had an injury riddled year in 2012 that ended with mixed emotions, the Sydney Swans prevailed on Grand final day yet Mumford had to watch on from the bench as he was subbed off with a back injury. He will be looking to bounce back in a big way in 2013.
Mumford began 2012 well, with scores of 95 and 108 in rounds one and three, before being sidelined by a mystery back ailment which turned out to be a bad reaction to a cortisone injection, which saw him miss rounds 4-9. Upon his return it was evident he wasn’t at full match fitness as he looked to work his way back into form over the next month of football. Once Mumford began to hit his straps and build back up to full fitness he reaped full rewards as he finished the year off in dominant fashion.
From rounds 10-17, Mumford averaged 71% TOG (including one sub-affected match) and 72.6 SC points as he eased his body back into AFL footy. Unfortunately the big Mummy once again succumbed to injury, this time with bone bruising of the knee, which saw him miss the round 18 clash will Gold Coast. As mentioned before he ended the 2012 home and away season in scintillating form, upping his TOG to 86% and his SuperCoach average to 112.4 in rounds 18-23, displaying his 2011 form that saw him push for All-Australian selection.
Quite simply for Mumford, 2012 was a horrid year where he struggled to find consistency due to injury, but he proved that once fully fit he is as good a ruckman as any. Given a strong pre season I have no doubt Mumford can recapture his scoring power of 2011 and he comes at a lower price tag than other ruck premiums due to his 2012 injury woes.
Obviously there is great element risk in picking him, injuries can make or break our side, but in 2013 we have extra trades which allows us a bit more leeway when it comes to taking a gamble on players.
If you’re willing to take the punt on Mumford he has the potential to be one of the highest scoring ruckman in the competition, giving your side a great POD with. He will be hot on my watch list over the pre-season; I suggest he is on yours too.