Shane Mumford will return to AFL circles in 2019, with GWS confirming on Friday the ruckman would be rookie listed at the club.

Mumford, who retired at the end of 2017, had flagged his intention to make a comeback in early October.

And with the Giants struggling in the ruck department, the club seemed equally as keen to facilitate his return.

But an explosive, albeit old, video which revealed the ruckman sniffing cocaine soon emerged, derailing his comeback as soon as it began.

Finals Week 1

The Giants issued Mumford with a $25,000 fine as well as a two-match suspension in the situation the 2012 premiership player did indeed join the club.

Mumford will join the club under the new rookie-list replacement rules. whereby clubs can avoid the draft and sign players to cover for injuries and sudden retirements.

A number of players have already joined clubs via these rules, including Maverick Weller (Richmond), Zac Clarke (Essendon) and Corey Wagner (Melbourne).

The earliest the 32-year-old could start his comeback would be in Round 3, when the Giants face Richmond.