The GIANTS will pay tribute to Heath Shaw with his seven seasons at the GIANTS coming to an end.
After playing 173 games for Collingwood, Shaw took his game to the next level in his 152 matches for the GIANTS which included All Australian honours in 2015 and 2016 and the Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2015.
At the age of 34 and with 325 games behind him, the veteran defender has not been offered a new contract for the 2021 season.
Shaw has thanked the GIANTS for giving him the opportunity to rejuvenate and refresh a somewhat flamboyant character back in 2013.
“If you’d told me 10 years ago that I’d be a life member, a club champion and two-time All Australian and have played off in a Grand Final at a club that didn’t exist a decade ago, I would have taken a leaf out of Darryl Kerrigan’s book and said 'tell ‘em they’re dreaming’,” said Shaw.
“I don’t think an interview has gone past where I haven’t said how thankful I am to this club for a second chance, or told everyone how really special and unique this club is.
“I’m a competitive beast so I held onto the thought of another year with the GIANTS to try get us back to where we should be, but sometimes the decision is taken out of your hands which makes it easy.”
General Manager Football Jason McCartney praised Shaw for his longevity in the game.
“Heath is an unbelievable competitor and has done a remarkable job to get himself up to play consistently over such a long period of time,” said McCartney.
“He’s given absolutely everything he has to the GIANTS and indicated he wanted to play on, however we feel that the time is right for him to make way for the next generation.”
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews also paid tribute to Shaw.
“The trade to bring Heath Shaw to the club at the end of 2013 has proven to be one of the most significant decisions in our club’s history. Heath has gone on to become a life member and much loved part of the GIANTS,” said Mr Matthews.
“Heath came to the club at a time that we were crying out for experience and he has had a profound impact on our club since the day he walked in the doors.
“Not only has he delivered consistently on field, he has supported our AFLW team in their early years and has been integral in growing our club and the game more broadly with his personality and humour a favourite of AFL fans right across the country.”
The GIANTS will officially pay tribute to Shaw at next month’s Kevin Sheedy Medal and will give the fans a chance to share their favourite memories of Shaw’s dazzling career online in the weeks to come.
