MUMFORD MOVES TO SYDNEY, JIMMY'S JUMPER STILL MISSING
Justin Kremmer 9 October 2009

By Justin Kremmer SHANE MUMFORD AND GEELONG have parted ways after the ruckman has accepted an offer to join the Sydney Swans during AFL trade week.

Mumford’s progression as a player in a short space of time has been significant. After starting as a fill-in player for the Cats' VFL side Mumford worked his way onto the Geelong rookie list and managed three games last year.

Mumford was called up again to fill in, this time for Brad Ottens who had succumbed to a serious knee injury, and played 18 games in 2009. Geelong coaching staff were so impressed with the development of Mumford that they tried to convince him not to leave. The Cats are most likely to replace Mumford with up-and-coming star Trent West, who has played with the senior side.

Geelong has had a problem dealing with topped up ruck stocks in recent years when club favourite Steven King was forced into a trade shortly after participating in Geelong's 2007 premiership. He joined St Kilda and has played a key player for them.

Jimmy Bartel’s premiership-worn-jumper is still missing after it was believed to have been stolen in the rooms after the Cats’ 12-point triumph over the Saints in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday 26th September.

Bartel’s teammate Joel Selwood also had his jumper pinched on the same afternoon during post-match celebrations but it later surfaced after police raided a Geelong suburban home and the No. 14 jumper was found along with some other Geelong items including a bag belonging to ruckman Brad Ottens.

But word is yet to emerge on the No. 3 jumper – it’s not just any old jumper, it’s a prized possession and Bartel deserves to have it more than anyone else.''