Heath Shaw is a very good footballer who is vital to the success of the Collingwood Magpies. But is he a footballer with the right leadership credentials?
Last week saw Melbourne, Collingwood and North Melbourne announced their leadership groups with each causing intrigue.
North Melbourne replaced stalwart Brent Harvey with the engine of the Kangaroos midfield, Andrew Swallow. This is a good move as it gives Harvey time to enjoy the twilight of his career while giving the captaincy to someone who embodies the Roos spirit.
Melbourne went back to the future after it dumped Brad Green for the combination of Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes (Trengove is the youngest captain in AFL/VFL history).
But the most intrigue came from Collingwood and the formation of its leadership group. While Nick Maxwell remains captain, the inclusion of Shaw is one that has raised eyebrows.
There is no denying that based on his on-field performances, Shaw is an example for young footballers. But his record off the field is far from exemplary.
In 2008, he and Alan Didak lied about the events of a car crash which resulted in him being suspended and nearly sacked by Collingwood.
Last year, he was suspended for eight matches and fined $20,000 for betting on teammate Maxwell to kick the first goal.
While I understand players are human, Shaw’s two indirections are essentially the foundations of sporting cardinal sins.
Shaw, lucky to still be at Collingwood after the car crash then betting scandal, now has a place in the leadership group.
If I was a Collingwood player, I would have serious doubts in his ability to be role model to teammates. How can someone who has committed grievous wrongs, lead the players by example?
Players at other clubs have committed lesser sins and been dropped from leadership group.
Shaw, however, seems to be given a lenient penance despite betraying the trust of Collingwood twice.
In Shaw’s defence, players who have committed similar offences have gone on to command leadership positions.
Simon Goodwin was the Crows captain when he got caught betting on AFL games a few years ago and despite being fined, he kept the captaincy.
Also, other industries are full of constant stories of individuals who despite committing serious offences in their professions rebound to head other corporations.
But does this make it right?
No longer are club leaders picked based just on the players and coaches whims. Sponsorship and PR are now also influential in any clubs decision on who should be the face of the values of a club.
Do Collingwood fans and sponsors feel easy about someone like Shaw, being placed in a position as the face of the club?
Collingwood have to hope that nothing untoward happens on the part of Shaw.
He will be under increased scrutiny as both players and coaches have invested a lot of faith and influential equity in his leadership credentials.
To rehash an old cliché, only time will tell.
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