Having arrived in Sydney at the end of 2008 after 8 up and down years at Collingwood, it would be very difficult to find a Swans person (inside or outside the inner sanctum of the club) who would have accurately anticipated how influential and valuable Rhyce Shaw would become in his first 3 years as a Sydney Swan. Indeed you need only listen to the players themselves to find out how highly he is regarded around the club. When you hear a player asked a question related to on the field like "who is the biggest talker at training?"; or off the field like "who is the social event man at the club?", you will invariably hear Rhyce Shaw's name very quickly.
Shaw's first year in Sydney was a raging success as he ran and bounced his way off the half back flank to a 2nd place in the Bob Skilton Medal. Playing in the absence of the injured Nick Malceski and the All-Ireland winning Tadhg Kennelly, Shaw took on much of the rebounding role that has become so entrenched in the Sydney game plan out of the back line.
In 2010 however, with Kennelly returning to Australia and Malceski returning to his best form, Shaw had a flat year for the most part. For much of the regular season, he was used down back to little success and thrown forward with moderate success at times. It was only as the finals neared that Shaw's fortune hit a turning point. A move into the middle of the ground to tag the opposition's dangerous players was just the tonic Shaw needed. He took on and beat or broke even with players including Stephen Hill of Fremantle, Marc Murphy of Carlton and Daniel Giansiracusa of the Bulldogs.
This form flowed on into 2011 as Shaw moved back into defence for the most part. To begin with, his play was not highlighted by dashing run and daring play as much as brilliant and tight defensive play. His tackling, spoiling and blocking improved dramatically and he became a tremendously solid defensive pillar that the coaches could trust. So much so that Shaw led the Skilton Medal for the vast majority of the year only to be caught by a fast-finishing Adam Goodes (Rhyce eventually tied for 2nd place with Josh Kennedy). This isn't to say that Shaw didn't finish the year well. Quite the opposite is true in fact. He took on his rebounding role once again off half back and averaged 26 possessions over the last 5 weeks of the Swans' season (including 2 finals games).
Rhyce's year was capped off by not only attaining a podium position in the Best and Fairest but he was also awarded the Best Clubman award, underlining his importance to the locker room and the respect that he has gained from the players and coaches in his relatively short time in Sydney.
At the age of 30, Shaw is nearing the end of his career but it can only be assumed that he will be approaching 2012 as vibrantly, enthusiastically and passionately as he has done since being traded to Sydney.
Player Review provided by S120
