Heart on the sleeve
There was a reason why Rhyce Shaw was voted into the leadership group after just one season with the Swans and why the 2011 Best Clubman bears his name.
Shaw’s guidance, not just with the younger members of the team but the older players, made an immediate impact and will continue to have an impact right up until his final game.
Shaw’s unique ability to lift spirits, whether it’s through more serious means or a simple practical joke, is unrivalled – no one does it better than “Shawry”.
It’s not only his renowned dash that will be missed, his character and sheer demeanour will be dearly missed as well.
Rhyce Shaw has had an influtential impact upon the career of Gary Rohan through his rehabilitation.
Run, bounce? That’s a Shaw thing.
Recruited for his run and carry, Rhyce Shaw made a name for himself at both Collingwood and Sydney as a dashing half-backman who was never afraid to take the game on.
Shaw has compiled a running total of 688 bounces to date, setting a very high standard during his first year (2009) at the Swans when the defender took a career-high 18 bounces in Round 4 against Carlton.
Shaw’s total is the third highest in the competition’s history, behind North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey (996) and brother Heath (724), with the defender currently ranked second (behind Heath) for most bounces in a season (160 in 2009).
Most times it works, other times it doesn’t, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
That beard.
Rhyce Shaw’s beard will go down as one of the more impressive hairy ensembles in the Swans’ history alongside former teammate and close mate Nick Malceski’s effort.
Commentators and viewers could have been forgiven for mistaking the duo for one another at the height of the 2012 season as both players were donned an abundance of facial hair, were running half-backs and enjoyed a fair share of the football.
No, it wasn’t a bet nor a dare, rather than a conscious decision to let it grow. The pair even shared their common interest during a SwansTV interview with one of the most famous beards of them all – the one sported by LA Dodgers baseball player Brian Wilson.
“I’d say you guys were doing a phenomenal job,” Wilson said of the Shaw and Malceski’s efforts.
“Nek Minnit”
Premiership players are given only a few fleeting seconds atop of the dais before the next number is called and a teammate takes centre stage. Most use the time to clap, pump their fists in triumph or kiss their new gold plated prize.
Others, like Rhyce Shaw, take an alternate route into the memories of footy lovers.
During the post-match 2012 Premiership celebrations, Shaw was one of the first called to receive his medal. The veteran graciously accepted, placed a Swans cap on his allocated Auskicker before turning to the crowd and yelling “Nek Minnit!” into the microphone.
An internet phenomenon in 2011, the phrase was first coined by a skateboarder from New Zealand in a YouTube video which went viral. The term was used as slang by people across NZ and Australia and, because of Shaw, will remain in the memory banks of Swans fans for years to come.
Rhyce shaw kisses the 2012 premiership cup.
A name held in high esteem
The Shaw’s will forever be considered one of the more famous names in AFL/VFL history.
More commonly linked to Collingwood through Rhyce’s father Ray (Club captain 1979-80) and uncle Tony (Club captain 1987-1993), the Shaw name will now hold a special place in Sydney where Rhyce has carved a stellar career at the Swans and brother Heath is carving what the latter hopes is a stellar career at GWS.
Never underestimate how difficult it would have been for Shaw to don the red and white when black and white was all the Shaw’s knew for more than three decades.
The courage to first embrace the colours then excel in them we’ll be forever grateful.
Rhyce and brother Heath following the 2012 premiership win.
