New recruit Shane Mumford is set to have an impact on-field for the GIANTS in 2014 but his biggest influence may yet be on the young ruck stocks at the club.

Mumford is now one of the most experienced players at the GIANTS and will have an important role leading the club’s young ruckman, including 22 year-old Andrew Phillips.

“Mummy’s been really good, I’m sure the other rucks would agree, he’s been really good for our development. He’s pretty vibrant out there and pretty vocal and lets everyone know," Phillips said.

In many ways Phillips is the forgotten GIANT.  Originally on the rookie list, the Tasmanian was elevated to the senior list and impressed many good judges in his nine games in the club’s inaugural season, assisting Jonathan Giles and Dean Brogan in the ruck.

After a promising debut year, the 202cm ruckman endured a frustrating 2013 as he was hampered by recurring hamstring injuries which meant he was unable to add to his games tally. But the big man is back on track and has his sights set on playing more football in 2014.

“I’m just starting to get into everything pretty heavily now, last year and the start of pre-season was pretty interrupted but everything’s coming along really well now,” he said.

“Obviously, coming off the back of last year, just to rack up some games would be really good - everyone just wants to play as many games as they can.”

With just 20 days to go until the GIANTS’ first NAB Challenge game against the Swans at StarTrack Oval, Canberra, Phillips said the entire side are looking forward to getting stuck into the season.

“Obviously pre-season is such a battle. It’s finally good to start getting to the pointy end and  start getting a lot more match-simulated type stuff so it’s really exciting,” he said.

The players spent their first day in the GIANTS’ new Learning Life Centre at Sydney Olympic Park today ahead of the official opening on the facility on February 18.

“Moving into the new facilities here today, obviously the boys are pretty up and about that. The facility’s been good where we were but it’s great just to have this facility set up for us now.”