On Saturday Shaw, second in last year’s best and fairest, will get the chance to pull on his boots and run out with his team-mates for the first time this year.
Shaw has finally overcome knee tendonitis and is fit enough to take the field for Saturday night’s Challenge match against Essendon at Blacktown Olympic Park at 7pm.
His game time will be carefully managed but Shaw can’t wait. “I’m pretty excited to be out there getting a game again. I just want to get out there and get a kick,’’ he said.
“The knee is fine, I’ve been training solidly for the past three weeks and doing full drills with the guys.’’
Shaw is looking forward to playing alongside fellow running defenders Marty Mattner, Nick Malceski and Tadhg Kennelly, which will surely be one of the most mobile, attacking backlines in the competition.
“It will be different having so many running players in the backline. I don’t know exactly where I’ll play, probably half back and maybe on the wing. And I haven’t played with Tadhg before so I’m really looking forward to doing that.’’
At the other end of the field, former defender Paul Bevan is relishing the opportunity to play in the forward line.
He kicked three goals against St Kilda last Saturday night and says he’s still adjusting to the change.
“I’m still trying to learn what goes on there because I”ve played most of my time in the backline but I’m really enjoying it,’’ he said.
Bevan said there’s a lot more running involved in being a forward than he had assumed.
“You are working right up to the backline and then racing back to get involved so the running side is an eye opener,’’ he said.
“There’s more running because you work as hard as you want to work. It is early days, there is a bit of competition for me with the young guys who are going well, but I’m enjoying the change.’’
Bevan’s defensive skills will come in handy as he tries to lock the ball into the Swans’ attack, but he plans to do much more. “The idea is that I would be able to apply pressure to defenders but in saying that, I want to get my own footy too.
“It’s early days but I have a new challenge this year and I’m on a good level at the moment, I can’t wait for the actual season to start.’’
