LABOR frontbencher Anthony Albanese is poised to launch a "last shot in the locker" leadership tilt against Bill Shorten after election night.
Senior Labor sources have confirmed Mr Albanese's supporters have already canvassed him to run in recent weeks but he had brushed the question aside until after the election. 
It follows the NSW Labor Right's overtures to the left-winger over summer when a "conga line" of union leaders visited his office and war-gamed a possible switch in support.
The embryonic coup, which involved NSW Senator Sam Dastiyari, was dumped after Malcolm Turnbull's polling numbers went backwards when he dropped his GST and tax reform agenda.
Labor leader Bill Shorten is understood to have made big gains in support with the ALP membership this year after releasing a big policy agenda and is confident he could withstand a challenge.
"We haven't been a small target opposition," Mr Shorten said. "We've trusted the Australian people." Labor powerbrokers believe Mr Albanese could beat Mr Shorten in the event of a contest if he won the popular vote of the ALP membership but concede it would be tougher if the Right again tries to bind MPs to vote for him.
However, Mr Shorten's backers were confident last night that the Sydney MP would be under pressure not to stand in the interests of stability if Labor recorded a respectable result of 10 seats or more.
"I think there would be a strong case for there to be no contest," a Labor powerbroker said.
The divided Left faction could prove Mr Shorten's greatest protection in the event of a challenge, with the Victorian Left led by Kim Carr refusing to countenance a switch to Mr Albanese.Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek is not expected to run if Mr Albanese announces his candidacy but many MPs believe she would be a strong candidate.