The premiership-winning defender, who has been sidelined for the last four matches with an ankle syndesmosis injury, comes back into the side in place of Jeremy Laidler, who has been omitted.
Speaking to SwansTV for Centrum Team Selection, coach John Longmire said Shaw’s on-field leadership and energy would bolster his team’s defence this week.
Sydney Swans v Essendon Match Day Information
“It’s good to get him back in,” Longmire said of Shaw.
“He gives us some real energy and some real bounce and run off our half-back line.
“Essendon have got some really good small forwards, so to get him back in defensively and offensively is really important for the team.
“He gives us great energy and is a leader of the team and it’s great to get him back.”
With Shaw slotting straight back into the side, the selection committee faced a difficult decision to leave Laidler, who has played all but one game this season, out of the side this week.
Longmire stressed that the call was not based on Laidler’s form, but was more focused on individual match ups for Friday night’s clash.
“It was (a tough call),” he said.
“He hasn’t been in poor form and his form to date has actually been pretty good.
“With the match ups this week, we just thought it was a good opportunity to keep Gary Rohan in the team and bring back Rhyce Shaw, but I’m sure that (Laidler) will be back really soon.”
Laidler’s omission means that Rohan, who has taken on a new role in defence over the last three weeks, will line up for his ninth game of the season.
Longmire said he was impressed with Rohan’s form in the Swans’ ten-point loss to Hawthorn last week, and said the 23-year-old deserved another chance to play this Friday night.
“He played quite well and he’s starting to find his feet a little bit,” he said.
“We just wanted to give him another opportunity to keep improving on what he’s been able to contribute whether it’s in defence or forward.
“He’s getting better every week and hopefully he can take another step forward for us.”
While Shaw proved his fitness for Friday night’s match, Longmire confirmed that Dan Hannebery, who has also been battling an ankle syndesmosis injury, fell just short of full fitness this week.
“He’s looking pretty good for next week,” he said.
“Everything is on track for next week and he’s been able to run, but he just wasn’t able to come up for this week.
“He should have a full week of training next week, that’s the plan, and he should be available for selection next week.”
Sydney Swans v Essendon
SCG
Friday, August 1, 2014
7.50pm
B R.Shaw, T.Richards, N.Smith
HB N.Malceski, H.Grundy, D.Rampe
C L.Jetta, J.Kennedy, L.Parker
HF B.McGlynn, L.Franklin, S.Reid
F A.Goodes, K.Tippett, H.Cunningham
Foll M.Pyke, K.Jack, J.McVeigh
I/C C.Bird, J.Lloyd, G.Rohan, D.Towers
Emg J.Laidler, T.Membrey, T.Nankervis
In: R.Shaw
Out: J.Laidler
