Shaw happy to be just another bloke in Sydney

Swans AFL recruit Rhyce Shaw is relishing his anonymity in Sydney after feeling the heat of the spotlight while playing for Collingwood.

Shaw, acquired by Sydney during the recent trade week, today joined several of his new teammates at their first pre-season training run.

Used to the fishbowl-type existence of AFL footballers in Melbourne, especially with the high-profile Magpies, Shaw was enjoying the change in the harbour city.

“It’s a good change, generally in Melbourne you get noticed a bit more, but up here you’re just another bloke, so it’s really good,” Shaw said.

Shaw copped unwelcome publicity last season when suspended for two matches and fined $5,000 by the Magpies for drinking whilst injured in the recently concluded season.

He was punished at the same time as both his brother Heath and Alan Didak were suspended for the remainder of the season after lying about a drink-driving incident.

Shaw is part of a family dynasty at Collingwood which also includes his father Ray and uncle Tony, but Shaw revealed not all of his family had yet come to terms with him leaving the Magpies nest.

“Mum hasn’t stopped crying since we got the news, but the rest of the family are really happy for me in terms of my footy,” said Shaw.

“It’s a really important step for me in my career.”

Swans coach Paul Roos emphasised Shaw would be considered among Sydney’s top 22 before even lacing on a boot in the pre-season.

“I said to Rhyce at this stage he is in our 22, because we picked him up to play senior football,” Roos said.

“We will give him a tremendous opportunity through the pre-season games to perform and at some point he’s just got to stand on his own two feet and get a game based on form and I’m confident he will do that.”

Roos said he was looking at Shaw as either a wingman or on the halfback line where he could compliment the dashing trio of Tadhg Kennelly, Nick Malceski and Martin Mattner.

Shaw has already spent some time with Mattner, who last season became the latest in a long line of players to make a successful switch from an interstate club.

In recent years, the likes of Mattner, Paul Williams, Barry Hall, Darren Jolly and Craig Bolton have all rendered Sydney great service after coming from interstate.

“I’ve spent a bit of time with Marty (Mattner) over the weekend, he’s been fantastic and most of the boys have been really good,” Shaw said.

“It’s a great club and it’s pretty easy to fit in.”

Roos said several senior players would make a late start to the pre-season after undergoing surgery.

The list included Bolton, Kennelly and Adam Goodes (groin), Luke Ablett (knee) and veteran full forward and club games record holder Michael O’Loughlin (ankle).

“Mick (O’Loughlin) is probably the longest one with his ankle operation, but pretty much all of them will be training flat out by January,” Roos said.

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