SHANE Mumford has been part of two of the AFL's elite midfields, and the big ruckman believes Greater Western Sydney's can be every bit as good.
Mumford had a brilliant first season with the Giants in 2014, winning the Kevin Sheedy Medal for best and fairest, following two years with Geelong and four with the Sydney Swans.
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At the Cats he rucked for the likes of Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel and Steve Johnson, while at the Swans it was Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack and Dan Hannebery at his feet as they won the 2012 premiership.
Now, after six wins in 2014, Mumford believes his young teammates can be every bit as good.
"Definitely," Mumford told AFL.com.au.
"Some of these young kids, the way they burst through packs (is amazing).
"Callan Ward was a great one last year, just the way he seems to fight through and get through people, just drives his legs, you can't tackle him sometimes.
"With some of these young kids that do more and more with the bigger bodies, most of them should be busting through packs next year."
Some of these "kids" he refers to now have three and four pre-seasons under their belt and are starting to resemble mature AFL bodies.
There's ball magnets Toby Greene and Adam Treloar, a ‘bull’ in Dylan Shiel and class with the likes of Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly.
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"If they keep improving like they did last year, if they can improve and go another 5 or 10 per cent, we should be able to push some of these elite midfields like the Geelongs, Hawthorns and Swans, these top teams," Mumford said.
"There's no reason why these young kids, and with a few more experienced guys, we can't push them right until the end."
Dylan Shiel is one of a number of young Giants set to step up, says Shane Mumford. Picture: AFL Media
While Mumford raves about the midfield – and is ecstatic with the recruitment of former Western Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen – he may still be the team's most important asset.
The 199cm, 108kg monster was a part of all six wins last season.
It was no coincidence when he went down with a knee problem prior to round four, the Giants fell in a hole.
They lost all five games in his absence, and in just his second game back, rode his 10 disposals, 46 hit-outs and six tackles to push the Hawks to within seven points.
And in an ominous warning for opponents, Mumford said his body was "300 per cent" better than the same time last year.
"I'm excited by what next year has to bring," he said.
"You feel there's a bit more confidence around the club. Getting a bit more experience in Ryan (Griffen) and Joel (Patfull) … it's going to put us in great stead.
"We'd love to play finals this year, but to do that you've got to win more games than you lose.
"There's no reason why we can't do it."
