Swans a perfect fit for Shaw

RHYCE Shaw’s manager says a change of environment could be just what the former Magpie needs.

Shaw was traded to the Sydney Swans or pick 46 on Friday, bringing an end to his 94-game career with Collingwood.

And Mark Kleiman from Shaw’s management group Velocity Sports says a move to the harbour city would be perfect for the 26-year-old.

“He’s been at Collingwood for eight years and struggled for different periods with form and injury. The last couple of years he’s been a pretty consistent performer at senior level,” Kleiman said.

“The Swans saw that as well and think he can inject some much-needed pace into their team.”

Shaw played 20 games for Collingwood this year but his season was marred when he was suspended for two weeks in August for being out drinking while injured.

Shaw leaves behind a strong family connection to Collingwood, with his brother Heath a senior player, and father Ray and uncle Tony former captains of the club.

Kleiman, who himself is a former Collingwood football operations manager, said not carrying a famous name at his club would assist Shaw.

“That probably has something to do with it. He never used to go around the club saying he was a Shaw and 'there’s extra pressure on me' but he certainly just wants to play footy and hopefully he can play for a few more years to come up north.
 
“Coming into the week you don’t know what is going to unfold. It wasn’t confirmed he was going to move on but for an opportunity to arise like it did with Sydney he was happy to go, and Collingwood was happy for him to go.”

Kleiman admitted Shaw would have a tinge of sadness at leaving his home city and the chance to play in the same side as his little brother.

“I think there is (some sadness) but at the same time there is some excitement from both parties. With Heath we joke that he is his second manager. They are a very close family but they understand," said Kleiman.

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