FORMER Collingwood coach and captain Tony Shaw has attacked current coach Mick Malthouse for his performance in Sunday's loss to arch-enemy Carlton, particularly the way Shaw's nephew, half-back Heath Shaw, was left in the back pocket when opponent Bryce Gibbs was moved into the midfield, with devastating effect.

"After half time Carlton utilised Bryce Gibbs in the midfield and what does he do? He sets up goals up the other end of the ground and gets them back into the game and Heath's still sitting back there against a mug, sitting down there in the pocket," Tony Shaw told the Herald Sun.

"It depends on whether you want to be reactive or proactive to what happens in the game.

"On Sunday I thought they were pretty well outcoached.

"I don't know what he's trying to teach him (Heath) . . . we are still trying to win games so we can finish in the top four and play finals.

"To try and teach him a lesson - as Mick said after the game - I think he's just got to win games first and foremost and teach lessons within that.

 "You still try and win the game, don't you? I just thought their lack of movement with Heath was pretty ordinary, really.

"If you are trying to teach people a lesson, you shouldn't do it to the detriment of the team.

"Once Bryce Gibbs is moved away to give rebound to Carlton, don't you try to release the other bloke? When you're starting to get outrun you try and get some run.

"I don't know what lesson you are going to teach him in the second half by sitting him deep in a pocket.

"If a bloke takes him deep, he's got to play on him. You can't take a risk of not playing on and giving him respect.

"But (in doing that) you're going to lose one of the best rebounding defenders.

"They (other teams) try and release Lindsay Gilbee, Tadhg Kennelly, Nick Malceski, Andrew McLeod ... what lessons are you teaching that are so groundbreaking? They're going to cost you a game."