Shaw, 26, was involved in an alcohol-fuelled weekend in August that ended with a car accident involving younger brother Heath Shaw and Didak.
The incident, which saw all three handed in-house suspensions (Rhyce for two weeks, Heath and Didak for the remainder of the season), was the latest in a string of off-field misdemeanours that have plagued Didak's career.
However the older Shaw sibling, who was traded to the Sydney Swans last week, believes the Magpies were right in opting to hang on to the troublesome talent.
"I would have kept Alan Didak for sure, if I was Collingwood," Shaw told Melbourne radio station SEN on Wednesday morning.
"He's a good mate of mine but he's also one of the best players in the competition.
"I couldn't see Collingwood letting him go because he's just fantastic. He's a real asset to the Collingwood footy club."
Shaw also believes his two former teammates have learned from their mistakes.
"It's been a pretty difficult two years for Alan, and this year for Heath, and I think they've learned a lot, not just as footballers but as people," he said.
"I think they really understand now what it's all about, and how they have to -- and how we all have to -- behave in the public eye.
"I think they've really turned it around. They've put their head down and hopefully next year they can reap the rewards, not only on the footy field but in their lives as well."
Shaw will also be hoping for a fresh start in 2009. Last week, he became a Swan after seeking a trade owing to a desire to play more as a midfielder.
"I've only spoken to Paul [Roos] briefly but he was really keen to get me up there, and he wants me to play a role in the midfield and a little bit down back," he said.
"I'm really keen to do that and hopefully with my assets I can help out the Swans next year."
Shaw said it had been a "privilege to play at Collingwood" since coming to the club under the father-son rule in 1999.
He denied a potential rift between himself and coach of nine years Mick Malthouse, and said his decision to seek a trade came as he felt his career had become stale.
"Mick was fantastic to me. He stuck by me through some pretty difficult times and I think it was just a good opportunity for me to get away from Melbourne, and get away from the biggest club in Australia," he said.
"Roosy was pretty keen to get me up there and that gave me the confidence to feel as though I could move up there.
"In the end, I'd been there a long time and I think it had become a little bit stale.
"It's the perfect time for me. If I'd left it a year later, things could have been different.
"It's a good opportunity and hopefully I can just get up there and enjoy myself."
