Collingwood premiership defender Heath Shaw has nominated Greater Western Sydney as his preferred destination, with the two AFL clubs now working on a suitable trade.
Shaw’s future at the Magpies was placed in doubt shortly after the side’s loss to Port Adelaide in week one of the finals and he was notably absent from the club’s best and fairest count on October 4.
On Monday night, GWS posted a statement on its website suggesting Shaw wanted to join older brother Rhyce in Sydney.
“A number of other clubs were chasing Heath so for him to say he wants to join the Giants is a great endorsement of the club and the direction we are taking,” GWS coach Leon Cameron said in the statement.
“Heath is exactly the sort of player we are looking for. He is a quality player who has enjoyed premiership success and will provide tremendous leadership for our young playing group.”
Collingwood confirmed on its Twitter account the club would be working with the Giants to ensure a deal is done for Shaw, who is contracted to the Magpies until the end of 2015, before the trade period ends on October 24.
GWS young gun Taylor Adams wants to return to his home state of Victoria and is likely to be involved in the Shaw deal.
The 27-year-old Shaw played 173 games for Collingwood over nine seasons, and was part of the 2010 premiership side.
Rhyce Shaw, 31, reignited his AFL career when he left Collingwood at the end of the 2008 season to join the Swans.
News Corp Australia reported Shaw’s deal with GWS would be for five years and worth between $675,000 and $700,000 a season.
Last week, the Giants denied reports they had dangled a $4 million ($800,000 a season) carrot in front of Shaw.
“The claim that we have made a $4 million offer is a wild exaggeration and simply wrong,” Giants football manager Graeme Allan said in a statement.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
They don't call him FIGJAM for nothing, from my observations, Buckley was a selfish player, granted thay may have had to change to be a coach, but his ego is on par with Malthouses.
watergate
Guest
Last time I checked the fact that Buckley was a Brownlow medallist, Copeland Trophy winner, club captain/champion etc and Collingwood's status as 2010/2011 premiers/runners up and their subsequent decline were matters of public record; in which case I would require an in-depth knowledge of Buckley in order to know what day it is?
watergate
Guest
If playing off in a Grand Final is what constitutes a coaches' game plan having been 'found out' I would take that every day of the week as an alternative to being bundled out of the finals winless during 2013 and headed for a bottom third finish next year.
watergate
Guest
Buckley has been granted licence to dismember the Pies list, with the common denominator amongst target recruits being a willingness to kowtow to his delusional self-image of perfection. Buckley will no doubt continue his established practice of pouring scorn on the playing group, in a pathetic attempt to obfuscate his own glaring inadequacies, when the Pies finish in the bottom third during season 2014 and FIGJAM is headed for the door.
Maximus
Guest
@watergate... do you make the same post on every Collingwood story?
Penster
Guest
Bound to bring bad luck - Chapman was the player who vowed that Geelong would never be defeated by Hawks if he was playing.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well, why not? They need a boost. God knows they've endured enough hardship over the past four decades!
James Shehan
Guest
Childish rant with no substance.
Shmick
Guest
Wow. Insightful. FYI Malthouse's gameplan was found out in 2011 and he broke a contract to leave the club that had shown faith in him for 12 years, even if he did only manage one flag during that time. Additionally, with Reid and Toovey set to return to the back line in 2014 it looks to be in pretty good shape for the next 5 years.
Mango Jack
Guest
Rumours that Chapman may join the Hawks http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2013-10-16/chapman-a-hawk-it-would-be-ironic
Matt Tomlinson
Roar Rookie
I say trade Shaw and pick 27 for pick 35 and Taylor Adams then trade pick 35 for Jesse White and pick 49 and 67
Talisman
Guest
Once again you make the mistake of assuming you know everything about someone you've never met.
watergate
Guest
Buckley was an outstanding footballer and the Pies a formidable force during seasons 2010 and 2011 under Malthouse. Unfortunately the advent of Buckley being forced onto a winning group has hastened the Pies decline. Thanks for your feedback and it is encouraging to note that perennial losers do in fact stick together.
Redb
Roar Guru
Lockett - Buddy is a comparison. Shaw not worthy of such company, the bloke's a dill.
Australian Rules
Guest
As I said. Shaw aint Lockett's toenail.
Talisman
Guest
OK, so you hate the pies, I get that. However, personal abuse of Buckley (ten times the man you'll ever amount to) is not warranted & is posted by a flake.
Australian Rules
Guest
Scully obtained his 6 year $6M contract after just 31 so-so games for Melbourne (and, in particular, after a couple of games where the commentators declared he was the new Judd). I doubt it will ever be topped for a player of that standard.
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Lockett had plenty of baggage :) in a couple of ways, and was known to not like training, temper etc etc .
Stavros
Guest
When you consider what Scully is on, and the sort of money that was thrown at Jared Brennan ($700k per season), then is it that bad? I t maybe over the odds, but GWS have to do that to get players up there.
Australian Rules
Guest
If the deal is truly 5 years for approx. $650,000 a year, his manager deserves a medal. That is one helluva retirement package for a player like Shaw.