Greater Western Sydney star Shane Mumford has no fear taking on the freakish athletic talents of West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui.
Mumford and Naitanui will meet when the GIANTS host the Eagles at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, and while the pair is equally as important to their respective sides, they're polar opposites when it comes to what makes them such outstanding ruckmen.
Naitanui uses his enormous leap to give his midfielders plenty of footy from centre bounces, and has the capacity to run opposition players off their feet in general play, while Mumford is the most physical big man in the competition and does is best work at stoppages.
The 2014 club champion said he's well aware of the talent Naitanui possesses, but is confident the Eagles' athleticism can be combated this week.
"I just watch them jump over the top of me," Mumford laughed.
"You've just got to try and nullify the way they jump and leap, so it's just abut trying to do that and trying to curb the influence of the hit outs they get to advantage.
"I love playing on the bigger, stronger ruckman; it's going to be a battle and it's one I always look forward too.
"Obviously he brings different attributes to what I do but it's a challenge, and I don't shy away from a challenge."
After a six-game layoff due to Achilles surgery, Naitatnui returned to the West Coast side in last week's win over Fremantle in Western Derby and while the big man was solid, he still looked to be working his way back to peak condition.
Mumford acknowledged that the Eagle might not be 100 per cent when they face off in round 21, but said he wouldn't be too far away from being at his best.
"I guess you're happy to face anyone when they're not quite match fit but I expect him to come out flying," he said.
"He's got a game under his belt now and generally it only takes one or two to get yourself right, and you're back into the swing of things."
The GIANTS are chasing their first victory over West Coast – with North Melbourne and Collingwood only other clubs GWS hasn't beaten for premiership points – and Mumford admitted that ticking off each milestone in the club's history, be it big or small, is one to cherish.
"I think you've got to take every little win as it comes and each one is a little step forward for the club," he said.
"To be able to say we've beaten every other team in the competition is something we want to be able to say at some point very soon.
"It's someone we haven't taken down yet, so to get them on our home deck up here, it's a challenge we're really looking forward too."
