Rhyce Shaw

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**Rhyce Shaw**
Personal information

Birth	October 16, 1981 (1981-10-16) (age 26), Victoria
Recruited from	Diamond Creek/Preston U18
Height and weight	180cm / 82kg
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 16, June 23, 2000, Collingwood vs. Hawthorn, at Telstra Dome
Team(s)	Collingwood (2000-) 74 Games, 15 Goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2006 season
Career highlights

Rhyce Shaw (born October 16, 1981) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

Shaw, son of Ray was drafted to Collingwood in the 1999 AFL Draft under the father-son rule pretty early, at no.18. He made his debut late in 2000 because of a broken collarbone, he was impressive with 16 kicks, but his form disappeared and was dropped weeks later. Shaw had suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome as a junior and carried it into his AFL career. His skills were ordinary, but his pace was an asset as a wingman. In 2001 and 2002 he only managed 1 senior game, but managed to be retained on the list. In 2003 Rhyce had experienced an improved season, and played 19 games. He wore Bob Rose's number 22 with pride, his heart on his sleeve, and when Rose's death in mid-2003 came about Shaw was a very emotional man, sporting his guernsey with initials B.R above the number. Shaw however had a nightmare finish to the season in the Grand Final against the Brisbane Lions. In one of the more infamous highlights of any Grand Final he slipped and fell over at a crucial moment in the game, only to have an opposing player gain possession of the ball and kick a goal.

In 2004 he played 16 games, but couldn't manage to play consistent footy, and he averaged under 10 touches per game. His slight late season form kept him at the club once again, but pondered thoughts of why into fans heads. 2005 however was a turning point for Shaw as he provided better skills on show and performed consistently. In the first 6 games he was averaging over 23 touches a game, including a career best 32 on The ANZAC Day clash against Essendon, before being stretchered off the field concussed. Mid-season he would rupture his ACL and require a knee reconstruction, missing the rest of the season. He bought up a long awaited 50th game in Round 11.

He returned mid-2006 and played 9 games, playing a similar brand of football of his improved 2005 season. He averaged just under 20 touches, and spent time in the VFL to gain back his best football touch. Shaw's 2007 season started off with a bang, with All-Australian form in the opening six rounds, before coaches applied more attention to Rhyce, and brother Heath. He averaged 23 disposals a game and more than 8 marks in that period. A hamstring injury, where he would be a late withdrawal for the Queen's Birthday match against Melbourne saw him miss five games and six weeks on the sidelines. He would return through the before breaking back into the side for four of the last five home and away games, with form not up to standard. He would be emergency for the finals on two occassions.

[edit] Family Relations

Rhyce is the son of former captain Ray Shaw, and brother of Heath. He is also the nephew of premiership captain and Norm Smith Medallist, Tony Shaw and former Collingwood player Neville Shaw. His cousin, Brayden (son of Tony) was drafted to Collingwood, but failed to play a game before being delisted in 2005.