GWS ruckman and hard man Shame Mumford has declared he will be much more careful about the way he goes into contests but he may attract AFL Match Review attention for an incident in his comeback game.
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Playing for the first time in 17 months after retiring because of a foot injury, Mumford featured in the second half of a practice match against Sydney at Blacktown on Friday.
The 32-year-old spent time in the ruck and up forward but near the end caught Swans midfielder George Hewett with a high swinging arm.
Mumford is already scheduled to miss the first two rounds after the club imposed a suspension on him after footage emerged of him snorting white powder in a video from 2015.
Mumford, who went 2-0 as a professional heavyweight boxer in his year off and intends fighting again after the AFL season, recognised he needed to show more caution on the field.
"I think I've got to be a lot more careful with the way I go into contests now," he said.
"With any contact with the head you obviously risk suspension and things like that.
"Like I had to modify the way I tackled as well a couple of years, when you can't dump people any more. Got to evolve with the game and I guess I'll have to."
Giants coach Leon Cameron was pleased with Mumford's effort in the Giants 12.4 (76) to 7.10 (52) loss.
"His ruck work was really good and his general play at ground level was pleasing," Cameron said.
First-round Sydney draft pick Nick Blakey underlined his potential by kicking three goals from set shots and provided a good target up forward.
With doubts over the first-round availability of veteran forwards Lance Franklin and Dan Menzel, both recovering from groin surgery, and Sam Reid only due to resume playing next week, Blakey showed enough on Friday to suggest he could push for selection.
"He's got a very good kick, he's very springy and he's quick. He's got good grade endurance, so we're just building him up, his body and getting used to the rigours of AFL football," coach John Longmire said.
A lively Tom Papley also kicked three goals for Sydney, who had Callum Mills and Lewis Melican playing after both missed a large portion of last season.
Longmire said ruckman Darcy Cameron would have a knee checked out after hurting it at a centre bounce, while Leon Cameron reported no injury issues.
The two sides will meet in an official pre-season game at the same venue on March 2.
Australian Associated Press
