CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Shane Mumford of the Giants and Tom Boyd of the Bulldogs compete in a ruck contest during the 2017 AFL round 06 match between the GWS Giants and the Western Bulldogs at the UNSW Canberra Oval on April 28, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has announced his retirement from AFL football.

Mumford has been forced to call a premature end to his career due to degenerative ankle and knee problems.

The 31-year-old played 172 AFL matches for Geelong, Sydney and GWS.

He started his career at the Cats, where he played 21 games, before moving to the Swans, where he played 79 matches in four seasons, including the 2012 premiership win over Hawthorn.

He then joined the Giants at the end of the 2013 season, where he managed a further 72 matches and won the club's best and fairest in 2014.

“While my mind was ready to go for another season, the medical advice told me something very different,” Mumford said. 

“I’ve loved my time playing for the Giants but I know this is the right decision when it comes to being able to play with my kids for years to come.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from the past decade in the AFL and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me along this journey.

“I’m excited about the next stage of my life and continuing to help the Giants in a role I’m really looking forward to.”

Mumford will take up a role as the club's part-time ruck coach in 2018.