Anthony 'Tony' Shaw (born 23 July 1960) is a former Australian rules footballer and media personality.

[edit] Playing career

Shaw was recruited to Collingwood from Reservoir-Lakeside to make his debut in 1977 alongside brother Ray. He was a small midfielder at 170cm who didn't have the likes of natural ability or quality skills but his courage and determination made him a fine rover. He did struggle in his early years to get a senior spot cemented, but in the 1980s he would have done so. Shaw played in the 1980-81 losing Grand Final sides, and would continue to be a loved player beyond the boundary for the way he went about his football, and his loyalty to the 'Black and White'.

In 1984, Shaw would win the Copeland Trophy as the Magpies best and fairest player for the season, as well as playing with second brother Neville. It was a big year for Shaw as he would earn even more respect, and stick it up his early critics. After another couple seasons of the club failing to make the finals, Shaw would take over the captaincy left by Mark Williams in 1987, but the side would fail in the new look competition, finishing 12th, but his captaincy was not questioned.

Hard work took place, and was finally achieved in 1990 when Shaw captained the club to a historic premiership, the club's first in 32 years. Shaw's inspirational footy on the day would help the team defeat Essendon, and Shaw's 35 touches saw him earn the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground. In the same season, Shaw would be the fine leader winning his second Copeland Trophy.

In 1991, against the Brisbane Lions when the quarters were still 25 min (the length of the quarters was changed to 20 min in 1994) , Shaw had 50 disposals which is the second most disposals in a game (trailing Greg Williams' record of 53 set in 1989). ^[1][2]

Injuries would get the better of him in years to come, but he would continue impressing as a centreman despite the constant struggle of getting on the park injury-free. At the end of 1993 he was considering retirement but played on, despite handing the captaincy to premiership team-mate Gavin Brown. 1994 would be his last year, but he would make the most of it, making records. In round 9, against North Melbourne, he would play his 300th game, and 9 weeks later against Footscray, he would break Gordon Coventry's club VFL/AFL games record of 306 games. Shaw's last game would be played at the WACA in an elimination final which would see heartbreak as the Pies failed by two points.

Shaw retired in a tearful farewell with 313 VFL/AFL games to his name and 159 goals.

[edit] Coaching career

As Leigh Matthews ended a stint at Collingwood as coach, Shaw would be appointed the new coach for the 1996 season, only two seasons after retirement. A leader on the field, Shaw was unsuccessful off the field, as coach. In 1996 he would guide them to 11th place, and his best effort came in 1997 when the club finished 10th. Shaw could never improve and get the potential Pies out of the bottom, coaching them to the clubs second wooden spoon in 1999, after that He was sacked as Collingwood coach.

[edit] Post-Football

Shaw became a respected media commentator after his coaching role, commentating on radio for 3AW before joining the Fox Footy Channel as a commentator/special comments for several seasons.

In 1991, Shaw was appointed Moomba Monarch (popularly called King of Moomba).^[3]

His son, Brayden, would be drafted to Collingwood in 2003, but would fail to play a game before being delisted in 2005, before moving on to Port Melbourne in the VFL.

In March 2006, Shaw returned to media focus when he publicly criticised the AFL for the consistent introduction of new rules. [1].

Shaw Also Presented The Norm Smith Medal For The 2008 Grand Final

[edit] References

1. ^ http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/1991/020419910420.html
2. ^ http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/playershi.html
3. ^ Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen (17 Feb 2006) Moomba: A festival for the people.: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf PDF pp 17-22

• Profile on fullpointsfooty.net
• Tony Shaw's statistics from AFL Tables