Shane Mumford set to rejoin GWS after changes to rookie rules

RETIRED ruckman Shane Mumford is almost certain to resume his career at GWS and he won’t have to nominated for the draft under revamped rookie rules.

Shane Mumford is set to return to the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

REVAMPED rookie rules will allow retired ruckman Shane Mumford to rejoin Greater Western Sydney without ­nominating for this month’s national draft.

Mumford will be sanctioned in the coming days over the emergence of three-year-old footage of him snorting a large quantity of cocaine, but is ­almost certain to resume his career at the Giants next year.

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New AFL list rules permit GWS to select Mumford, 32, as a Category A rookie early next month without the risk of rival clubs swooping in the draft.

“After speaking with the AFL, our understanding is that Shane has the ability to walk directly to the club of his choice as of the 1st of December without having to nominate for the draft,” Mumford’s agent Anthony McConville said. “We’ve been in positive conversations with the Giants regarding a potential comeback and are hoping it will be resolved in the coming weeks.

“Shane is fit and healthy and preparing himself for his second professional (boxing) fight later this month.”

Rival clubs have expressed interest in Mumford, but he has made it clear he has eyes only for GWS, where he works as a ruck coach.

The Giants can sign retired ruckman Shane Mumford as a rookie. Picture: Getty Images

Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said a decision over Mumford’s penalty from the 2015 incident was imminent.

“It was very disappointing,” Matthews told 3AW.

“Certainly you just cannot condone that behaviour in any way at all. I know he is very remorseful and embarrassed about it.

“We need to make sure we support him from a welfare and mental health point of view, but we’ve also got to look at an appropriate sanction, so that will come in the next few days.”

A debilitating navicular foot fracture suffered in GWS’ 2017 qualifying final loss to Adelaide was the last of Mumford’s 172-games at Geelong, Sydney and the Giants but the injury has since healed.

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

In order to select Mumford as a Category A rookie, GWS must have a spot left on its list after the national, pre-season androokie drafts being held at Marvel Stadium on November 22 and 23.

Mumford began his AFL career as a rookie at Geelong in 2008.