The challenge of confronting returning Greater Western Sydney’s powerful ruckman Shane Mumford at Spotless Stadium last Saturday brought out the best in Richmond big man Shaun Hampson.
Mumford, who had been in dominant early-season form for the Giants, was back after six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury and, on the strength of that, several critics were tipping the home team to win.
Hampson, however, had other ideas.
He held sway in the ruck contests right throughout the match, winning 30 hit-outs to Mumford’s 20, and also produced strong contributions around the ground, taking four marks and picking up some important disposals.
“I think by far. It’s the most I’ve contributed to a Tiger win, so I was pretty happy,” was Hampson’s reply, when asked on RSN if it was his best performance since joining Richmond from Carlton at the end of last season.
“The Club put it on me before the game. They wanted a big one out of me because, obviously, ‘Mummy’ (Shane Mumford) is one of the best (ruckmen) in the competition.
“But, at the same time, big Mummy hadn’t played for six weeks, so I didn’t get Mummy at his best. It was probably lucky for me.”
With Richmond’s No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric now pressing for an AFL return following his lengthy absence with an ankle injury, Hampson is unsure what his future role with the Tigers will be, but it’s not something that fazes him.
“Through my whole career, I’ve been thrown forward, I’ve been thrown ruck, I’ve had the 50-50 role. At the end of the day, I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do, and try to do it to the best of my ability,” Hampson said.
“I do like playing in the ruck and being the No. 1 go-to guy. But the Tigers got me to play that ruck-forward role, and I haven’t had a chance to do that this year.
“I’m looking forward to doing that later in the year.”
