The Sydney Swans congratulate Rhyce Shaw after he was recognised by his peers as the Assistant Coach of the Year at the annual AFL Coaches Association awards.
It is the second consecutive season that Shaw has taken out the award after becoming the first development coach to win the honour in 2017.
Since his retirement at the end of the 2015 season, Shaw led the Swans NEAFL side to consecutive Grand Final appearances before being elevated to defensive coach for season 2018.
The Assistant Coach of the Year is awarded based on the input from both players and coaches at each club.
Coaches score the overall performance of the assistant and development coaches at their club, allocating each a score out of 10 (10 being the highest score).
Each assistant and development coach will receive an average score out of 10 from their club’s coaching panel, which will be matched by an average score out of 10 from their playing group to determine an overall score.
Since his transition into the coaches box Shaw has assisted with the development of many young Swans players in taking the step up to AFL level.
Previous winners of the award from the Sydney Swans include Stuart Dew in 2016 and current senior coach John Longmire in 2006.
Shaw announced at the end of the season that he would be returning to Victoria for family reasons after a distinguished career both on and off the field with the Swans.
See below a full list of previous winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year award.
2017 – Rhyce Shaw (Sydney
2016 - Stuart Dew (Sydney)
2015 - Adam Kingsley (St Kilda)
2014 - Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs)
2013 - Robert Harvey (Collingwood)
2012 - Peter Sumich (Fremantle)
2011 - Darren Crocker (North Melbourne)
2010 - Brendan McCartney (Geelong)
2009 - Mark Riley (Carlton)
2008 - Tony Elshaug (St Kilda)
2007 - Tony Micale (West Coast)
2006 - John Longmire (Sydney)
2005 - Robert Wiley (West Coast)
2004 - Phil Walsh (Port Adelaide)
2003 - Neil Craig (Adelaide)
