AFL: GWS star Shane Mumford facing more time on sideline

Shane Mumford's AFL comeback has hit another snag after the GWS ruckman was issued with a one-match ban for striking a Sydney opponent during their practice match.

Mumford is already suspended for the first two rounds of the season after footage dating back to 2015 emerged of him snorting a white powder.

The 32-year-old has been charged with striking Sydney's George Hewett during the third quarter of Friday's scratch match at Blacktown.

He can accept a one-match sanction which would delay his comeback until at least round four when the Giants face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Match review officer Michael Christian assessed the incident as intentional conduct with low impact to the head.

Mumford, who retired after the 2017 season due to a serious foot injury, was relisted by the Giants during last year's supplemental selection period.

The veteran of 172 games with Geelong, Sydney and GWS worked in 2018 as a ruck coach for the Giants and kept fit by boxing as a professional heavyweight.

Gold Coast's Jack Bowes was the only other player to face sanction from the weekend's practice matches.

Bowes was offered a $1500 fine for striking Brisbane's Alex Witherden.