GIANTS veterans Heath Shaw and Shane Mumford will play on in 2020 after signing new one-year contracts with the club.
33-year-old Shaw will head into his 17th season with 308 games at Collingwood and the GIANTS under his belt.
The two-time All Australian had a great 2019 season as one of only four GIANTS to play every game, averaging more than 20 touches and almost seven marks a game.
Mumford will enter his 12th season after coming out of retirement to play 20 games for the club in 2019.
After 12 months out of the game, Mumford once again took up the mantle of first ruck for the majority of the season, averaging more than 30 hit outs a game.
GIANTS List Manager Jason McCartney said the pair have plenty to offer on and off the field next year.
“We didn’t hesitate to offer both Heath and Shane new contracts given what they were able to achieve this season,” McCartney said.
“We firmly believe they have more quality football in them and are looking forward to the pair of them helping us get to where we want to go as a footy club.”
The GIANTS farewell Dylan Buckley after two seasons at the club while Tom Sheridan, Jake Stein and Zach Sproule will be delisted with the intention of being re-drafted in late November.
McCartney congratulated Buckley on his 41 games and seven seasons in the AFL.
“Dylan was only at the GIANTS for a short time but made a big impact, particularly off the field,” McCartney said.
“He didn’t get to show us his best football but certainly leaves the club having made a considerable contribution to our culture.
“He’s already started to forge a successful media career while in the football system and we have no doubt he’ll continue to go from strength to strength in the next chapter of his life.”
Sheridan comes off the senior list after one game in his first season at the GIANTS in 2019 to provide the club with additional flexibility leading into the NAB AFL Draft. The GIANTS intend to contract Sheridan for the 2020 season.
“With the ability to trade draft selections up until November 22 and then again during the Draft, the club requires further flexibility around Primary List numbers which has seen Tom delisted in this initial list lodgement,” McCartney said.
“Tom has a commitment from the club, pending availability, to be re-selected during the Draft period.”
Stein and Sproule - who made their AFL debuts during the 2019 season - will also be delisted, having been on the club’s rookie list for the AFL’s maximum period of three years.
McCartney said the GIANTS intend to keep the pair at the club for the 2020 season.
“Jake and Zach have been developing nicely over the last three seasons which culminated in them both playing senior football this year,” McCartney said.
“Both Jake and Zach also have commitments from the club, if available, to be re-selected at the Rookie Draft in late November.”
The 2019 NAB AFL Draft will be held in Melbourne on November 27 and 28 with the NAB AFL Rookie Draft held on November 29.
