SYDNEY SWANS defender Rhyce Shaw says he feels almost embarrassed to be playing in this Saturday's derby at the SCG, while dual-Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes lines up in the reserves.
Goodes chose to play in the NEAFL rather than spend a second straight game as the Swans’ substitute, after coach John Longmire told the 35 year-old he'd be wearing the green vest again.
Shaw says he's still coming to terms with the decision of the Swans' club record games holder.
"It's bloody surprising isn't it? Goodesy is one of the greatest players ever and I look up to him so much, the way he sets the standard off the field and on the field," Shaw said.
"As a Swans legend and an AFL legend it's hard to see him playing in the twos. I almost feel a bit embarrassed that I'm not playing twos and he's not in the seniors."
"He's a champion, he'll deal with it the way he wants to deal with it, and I know he's going to play a great game at the weekend and put his hand straight back up."
On Thursday, Longmire denied he'd had any discussions with Goodes about retirement, and Shaw scoffed at suggestions that it might be time for his teammate to call it a day.
"Anyone who says that has got rocks in their head. He's a champion of the game, he'll go out on his terms when he's ready and I can tell you right now he's not ready," Shaw said.
"You should see him at training, he makes a mockery of some of us older blokes. He's a freak."
The Swans' and the Giants' reserves were scheduled to meet in a curtain raiser to the Sydney derby, but wet weather in Sydney has forced the game to be moved to the Swans' training ground outside the SCG.
Shaw was straight to the point when asked how Goodes was handling the pressure and speculation surrounding both his selection this week, and the champion’s long-term future.
"He's bloody determined, that’s all I can say,' Shaw said.
The derby between the undefeated Sydney sides will give Shaw another opportunity to battle younger brother Heath, and the Giants defender made light of the selection bombshell surrounding Goodes.
"We heard that Buddy (Franklin) and Josh Kennedy wanted to play NEAFL as well, but they weren't allowed," Heath Shaw joked.
The brothers might be on opposing sides and have a different view on which team rules the harbor city, but they do agree on one thing - their pre-game banter has dropped off in recent times.
"We haven't really spoken this week until last night when Rhyce's missus cooked me a nice risotto. I was a bit hesitant, I thought she might have put something in it to make me crook, but I feel alright this morning," Heath said.
"Rhyce has also got a new baby boy so he won't give me much attention these days."
