GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron thinks Heath Shaw is ready to remind everyone how good a player he is as the former Magpie prepares for a second year with the fledgling club.
Shaw finished fifth in the Giants best and fairest this year after being traded from Collingwood, but was involved in an off-season incident in Melbourne that led to him receiving a fine from police on the morning of the Grand Final.
Cameron told AFL.com.au that the club's leadership group dealt with Shaw over the incident, two days after the whole group had returned to pre-season training.
While the coach would not reveal publicly if any sanction had been placed on Shaw, Cameron said he was happy with the outcome.
At the time the club said both parties had agreed for Shaw to undergo counselling.
AFL.com.au understands the club was impressed with the way Shaw responded after the incident in the off-season to ensure he returned to pre-season in excellent condition.
Cameron said the 28-year-old was ready to leave a strong legacy at his new club after 173 games and a premiership with the Magpies.
"I can see this steely determination to say 'hang on, Heath Shaw can play the game. Don't forget how good he is as a player,'" Cameron said.
"He is a proud man and he wants to leave a really good legacy at this footy club. I am looking forward to Heath's second year."
Cameron said he continued to be impressed with the way the club's leadership group was developing and its decision-making ability.
"When this happened we had great discussions about it, and I was really proud when they walked out after they solved it," Cameron said.
Shaw is regarded as one of the game's best defenders and has a strong reputation among his teammates.
Cameron was quick to cite Toby Greene as a player who had learned from the team suspension he received in 2014.
"[I'm] proud of Toby Greene, not just his footy but [the fact] he accepted it, moved on and is doing things about it," Cameron said.
The Giants have added experience to the playing group in 2015, recruiting former Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen and dual Brisbane Lions best and fairest winner Joel Patfull, complementing Shaw and Shane Mumford who have both played in premierships.
