North Melbourne will officially announce Rhyce Shaw as their AFL head coach on Thursday.
Rhyce Shaw will be officially appointed as the fulltime coach of AFL club North Melbourne on Thursday.
The former Collingwood and Sydney player has impressed Kangaroos powerbrokers during an eight-game stint as interim coach after the departure of Brad Scott.
North Melbourne have won four of the eight games under Shaw’s tutelage, although they are currently on a three-match losing streak and out of finals contention in 14th spot on the ladder.
As recently as Wednesday, the 37-year-old was insisting he was not yet over the line as Scott’s replacement.
“I’m just trying to control what I can and that’s coach North Melbourne against Hawthorn at the weekend … that’s all I can do,” Shaw told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s a bit of a funny situation but I’ll just roll with it.”
The Kangaroos made a big play for former club playing great John Longmire but he elected to re-sign as Sydney coach, leaving Shaw as the red-hot favourite to succeed Scott.
North Melbourne will hold a media conference with Shaw at their Arden St headquarters at 12.30pm (AEST).
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Sorry to say but a wrong decision, North, I think should have gone and grabbed 'A Brendan Bolton' type and do a complete rebuild, they don't have the team to make a top 4 or the list to get them there in the future. Another 3 to 4 years of making up the numbers......
SeymoreButts
Roar Rookie
They could have waited 4 more weeks and had the best of both worlds... If they get flogged in the final 4 games and continues into next year this will be the worst decision in footy history. Convesely, if they win the next 4 they can sign him up without anyone questioning the decision. Like I said, they chose the worst possible option re the timing. Not saying he cant coach, or wont be a good coach, or isnt a good coach... but what was the rush?? Did they think the Crows or Fockers were going to steal him from under their noses??
Wayne Kerr
Guest
I think its a good move by North. It is interesting to read about the stories of the character of the man. From wanting a trade from Collingwood to the Swans (partly to get away from Heath and the "Rat Pack") and the huge level of respect that the Swans when playing and coaching the NEAFL side. He will have someone with experience above him appointed as a director of coaching to assist him with further development. I don't think North rushed the decision, their first choice in Longmire signed an extension with the Swans. I think Sydney have more upside with young talent than North. Brad Scott couldn't do anything more for North with coaching. I think North did a fancy way of sacking him a year early from his contract.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Speaking in terms of keeping up appearances, it's a good move from North - it was eminently forgiveable to go chasing after Longmire, given that he is ex-North from his playing days, and his vast experience as a senior coach. However, once he turned them down if they'd kept on looking around and trying to get a coach from somewhere else it would not have been a good look at all, given Shaw's experience and commitment to the club, and the bounce they have experienced under him. So they didn't. Good luck to North, they will need it as always - there is a lot to like about the way they go about their footy, they have been pokies free for a decade and are certainly one of the good guys of the comp - my gripes about them in the past have chiefly been that they vacuum up draft picks into their swirling cauldron of irrelevance and lower the tone as a whole of the competition by thinning out the mix of everyone else's starting 22. Can't fault them for their application though, they are always striving for mid-table mediocrity at worst and occasionally hit the heights of a 2nd or 3rd week exit in September.
asd
Guest
hard to know how he will go time will tell North need more talent and thats a hard thing to find
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'll bet there isn't. I'll bet you and a few mates are angry because Horse bores you. There has been universal embrace of his reappointment and there is universal fondness for him. Your response a strange response to Shaw's moment.
Kaniel Outis
Guest
I'm very happy. The announcement will also stabilize the players as there will be no more speculation. I think Shaw has a great rapport with the team.
Gavan Iacono
Roar Rookie
Yes, and yes. As good as Rhyce has been, why not test the waters more thoroughly.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Rhyce had a reinvention of his career after the mental scarring of a horrific GF in 2003. Went on to get his flag and became a lock for the Swans. Shows the character of the man .
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Great move North, the coaches that try to micro manage a team also strangle a team, North and Carlton is bring structure under talent but now just let the lads play. Great ex Swan as well
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Congrats Rhyce, based on this news.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Fine by me.
Unknown
Roar Rookie
Did North rush this decision, should they have waited until the end of the season?
Davo
Guest
No Brainer...right decision. All loses under Shaw besides Eagles in Perth have been extremely close. Coming from a Sydney local and regular Swans watcher there is quite a bit of anger from Swans supporters at the length of Longmire's extension. Like Brad Scott Longmire might overstay his welcome.