JUST in case Richmond's ruckmen have been living in a cave and don't know what they're in for in Saturday's Grand Final against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG, Shane Mumford has fired off a timely reminder.
Tigers duo Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo will work in tandem against Mumford in what could be an intriguing battle.
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Nankervis, like his GWS counterpart, is a physical big man who relies on his bodywork and positioning to win his contests, while Soldo is more athletic and can get around the ground to hurt his immediate opponent.
None of that matters to Mumford.
Mumford wins a hitout against Nankervis in round three. Picture: AFL Photos
"I'll be going out there to try and send a few bodies flying and doing everything I can to help us get the win," he said.
"I've done that week in, week out throughout my whole career, so this week will certainly be no different."
While Mumford carries a fearsome reputation, he's warned the Tigers not to sleep on his Giants teammates.
The premiership Swan even likened his GWS onballers to the stars of Sydney's famous flag win over Hawthorn in 2012 such as Josh Kennedy, Norm Smith medallist Ryan O'Keefe, Jude Bolton and Kieren Jack.
"You look at some of the guys in our team and they're that tough," he said.
"The young kids that were skinny little boys with no facial hair when I got here, but they've grown into big strong men.
"They're up there with the best mids in the competition, if (they're) not the best."
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper are the emerging leaders of the Giants' midfield, and both have shone this season in the absence of Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio, along with Harry Perryman on the wing.
Mumford said he's given his less experienced teammates just one bit of advice in the lead-up to the biggest game in the Giants' history.
"I've just let the young kids know to enjoy the week," he said.
"Take everything in and have as much fun as possible until game time comes around because then she's on for young and old.
"It is pretty special and there's a lot of guys out there who would love to be a part of it."
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Mumford struggled to stop Brodie Grundy racking up huge numbers in last week's preliminary final win over Collingwood, but the veteran's influence in the dying stages of the thriller – when it was hard and tough and all about contested footy – was enormous.
For that reason, he's not worried if the decider is a tight result.
"The last five minutes on the weekend was something else, just stoppage after stoppage," he said.
"If we're in the same position again this week then we go in with great confidence, knowing that we can win the close ones."
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