Shane Mumford is considering a shock comeback with GWS Giants

EXCLUSIVE: RETIRED premiership ruckman Shane Mumford is considering a shock comeback 12 months after injury ended his career with GWS set to lose big man Rory Lobb.

EXCLUSIVE: RETIRED premiership ruckman Shane Mumford is considering a shock comeback 12 months after injury ended his career.

The Herald Sun can reveal Mumford has emerged as a potential left-field solution to Greater Western Sydney’s ruck crisis should big man Rory Lobb leave for West Coast or Fremantle.

“No formal discussions have been held with GWS, but if Shane feels that he can play again he’ll consider it as an option,” Mumford’s agent, Anthony McConville, of Mac’s Sports Promotions said.

REPORT CARD: CAN GIANTS BE A FORCE IN 2019?

TRADE WRAP: WHO’S LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME?

NO.1 TARGET: BLUES MAKE GIANT PLAY FOR SHIEL

A debilitating navicular foot fracture suffered in the 2017 qualifying final loss to Adelaide was the last of Mumford’s 172-game career at Geelong, Sydney and the Giants.

The 199cm enforcer also battled knee and ankle injuries throughout a decade-long career that peaked with a premiership for the Swans in 2012.

Mumford, 32, has served as the Giants’ part-time ruck coach since announcing his retirement last October and lives in the Harbour City with his wife and two kids.

Shane Mumford battles Sam Jacobs in the 2017 qualifying final. Picture: Sarah Reed

He has stayed in peak condition as a registered professional boxer and will fight in Sydney on November 17 promoted as Shane “Sausage” Mumford.

He has until next month to nominate for the national draft, but has told friends and family he has completely recovered from the foot injury that forced him to give up the game.

A source close to Mumford said: “The fire is still there and his foot has come good”.

Nominating for the draft would make Mumford available to all 18 clubs.

It is unlikely the Giants would consider re-drafting Mumford if Lobb stays, but he could still play elsewhere.

A self-confessed “fat kid from Bunyip” with a love of the sausage sizzle, Mumford was taken as a mature-age recruit by the Cats in the 2007 rookie draft.

Shane Mumford is considering an AFL comeback.

He famously shed 20 kilograms in 2007-08 to turn himself into an elite footballer renowned for his ferocious attack on the ball and the man.

“I think I’ve injured just about every part of my body throughout my career but the foot was the turning point,” Mumford said upon announcing his retirement.

“I’ve had problems with my knees for many years and had the ankle reconstructed, now to injure the foot as well, I want to be able to run around with my kid in years to come.

“If I continued playing there was potential to do more damage and for me it’s not worth the risk, I want to have a life after football as well.

“For me to play on and not be 100 per cent would be selfish, so I’d much rather finish up while I was still playing some good football.”

The Giants have struggled to find a consistent replacement in the 12 months since Mumford’s retirement.

Journeyman Dawson Simpson battled poor form and injury to play nine games, which forced forward Rory Lobb to shoulder a lot of the ruck load. Spearhead Jon Patton also chipped in.