SYDNEY Swans ruckman Shane Mumford hopes his fitness is returning just in time to take on the toughest ruck combination in the AFL.

The Swans face their old sparring partners West Coast and their heralded ruck duo of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

Mumford, who has played five games since returning from a back injury, says they are the hardest match-up in the AFL and virtually likened them to super heroes - Cox the wily, athletic veteran and Naitanui the human highlight reel.

"It's definitely the hardest combination there is in the League," Mumford told sydneyswans.com.au.

"You've got two guys, one who has been around for many years and has got hundreds of different tricks, which makes it really hard.

"Then you've got one who is really athletic and can jump over the top of you if he gets a chance.

"You have to approach both guys differently, which does make it a lot harder.

"Coxy is so strong and moves so well across the ground and they use him like a rover.
"You just have to be really on top of your game and make sure he doesn't spread on you and negate him.

"Naitanui is just a freak with what he does and his highlight reel is longer than half the blokes in the League.

"It's going to be a tough battle."

Roving is also one of Mumford's great skills, but it's a skill the 199cm, 108kg ruckman has struggled to provide following his return from injury.

Mumford, who turned 26 last Thursday, spent his first month back starting games in the goalsquare, gradually increasing his time in the ruck.

But he was back in his customary position for the opening bounce against the Brisbane Lions last week.

Having formed his own damaging partnership with Mike Pyke, Mumford says he is almost back to his best, and just in time to face the Eagles.

"The fitness is slowly getting there," he said. "[Against the Lions] I was able to run out the full game and getting back to running the way I want to run.

"It's definitely getting there, which is a nice thing. I was struggling there for a while.

"It's just match fitness. No matter how much training you do, it's hard to get that gut running back.

"It's taken five games and I think I'm almost back to where I want to be.

"Second and third efforts are something I've had to work on and that's probably one of the hardest things with my fitness.

"It's easy if you're just trying to run, but it's trying to hit hard in the contest, bounce off a few bodies and then go again. That's what really works me."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD