But the speedy utility is committed to helping his new club continue its remarkable run of success with a seventh straight finals campaign.
That journey begins on Saturday night at Docklands when the Swans take on St Kilda in their round one clash.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in completely yet,” Shaw said of the prospect of donning the Swans’ red and white on to the field on Saturday.
“I think it will on Saturday arvo when we get on the team bus. It’s kind of the same feeling that I’ve had over the years, but it’s really exciting to play with new teammates and get a new feel for the team.”
As a member of one of the Magpies’ most famous families it’s no surprise that Shaw has taken some time to get used to his new club.
His father Ray, uncles Tony and Neville and his brother Heath have played a combined 667 games for Collingwood and Rhyce spent eight seasons at the club, for a further 94 matches.
The 27-year-old is now committed to a new cause and he shares his teammates’ view that there’s no such thing as “too old” when it comes to on-field performance.
“I think [the Swans get written off] because they’re a year older and they get old recruits like myself out there. But look, we’re really ready to go,” Shaw said.
“I don’t see any drop off. The senior guys that are out there at the moment are fantastic and they’re great role models.
“Guys like Kirky and Hally have really proven this pre-season that they’re getting no [older] in terms of their footy. I’m really looking forward to playing with those guys and I think the Swans are going to be a force again.”
Shaw said he had enjoyed a quieter build-up to the premiership season at the Swans after moving from a club where the year-round media focus was relentless.
But in the absence of external hype about the Swans’ first-round clash, he said the playing group had made a concerted effort to increase the intensity of its preparation this week.
“You kind of get away from that footy feel, and I think for round one it’s really important to make sure we’re attuned to the new AFL season and not still in pre-season mode,” he said.
“We’ve made a real effort this week to make sure we’re really switched on and on the ball.”
And Shaw confirmed his parents would be in the stands at Docklands on Saturday night, cheering for someone other than Collingwood for once.
“It’s a bit different. With my brother not playing [for Collingwood] this week, it’s [all about] the Swans this weekend,” he said.
“It’ll be a bit weird when Collingwood plays Sydney later in the year, but mum and dad are pretty happy for me, being up here.”
