A late goal has highlighted the one-off appearance of Heath Shaw as Geelong West continued Lara’s tough start ot the season with a 104-point hiding at West Oval.
In a twilight clash with the struggling Cats, wearing the number 39 he made famous at Collingwood. Shaw’s cameo was part of a carnival atmosphere at the historic venue, with the Giants’ GFNL and GDFNL sections in action in football and netball.
Shaw’s goal following a pass from 10-goal hero Lachie Horniblow from 40m out in front of the Lara bench was well received by his teammates, who, to a man, mobbed the former Magpies and GWS star.
“I was trying to sneak to try to get one, and I didn’t want to force it,” he said.
“And then it popped up and worked out alright.
“So, it was a good way to finish it, and then I just put my feet up at the end there.
“So it was a good day.”
After playing the first half in defence and midfield, and with Geelong West in control of the contest, Shaw could spend the second half in the forward half.
“The 39-year-old body that I have, at half-time, I just seized up a bit,” he said.
“I’m like, ‘I’m just going to sit forward and just stay up there for the rest and just let the other boys have a bit more time in the midfield and across half-back.’
“The boys were great, embracing me coming in and playing, and hopefully, (I) taught them a few things while I was down there, and just talking with the boys and helping out.”
Horniblow came close to stealing the limelight from Shaw in a performance that impressed the two-time All-Australian.
“He’s a full forward. I could tell straight away, that first quarter, he doesn’t pass it,” Shaw said.
“He doesn’t handball… even the one he passed, he was definitely having a shot, but it landed in someone’s lap.
“I was very happy that he actually passed it to me. I looked up and I was waving; he saw me and then he kicked it.
“He obviously knows how to use his body as a forward; (a) good, strong leader, and it’s good to have those guys down there because you know they’re going to be so reliable.
“He knows what he can do. And as the team gets better, he’ll get better.”
Shaw’s appearance for Geelong West is part of a plan to play with a number of clubs featuring the Giants branding after playing with Korrumburra-Bena in West Gippsland last month.
“I love playing local footy,” Shaw said.
“I’ve played since I finished (AFL) at different sorts of clubs, and it’s just good to come back and play.
“Clubs like this, and obviously the affiliation with the Giants, but even just any local club, you’ve got a lot of volunteers and people that come and support and watch, and that’s where I started.
“It was great to come down and have a kick and have a win, and I was pretty happy when we were eight goals up early on because I knew I could just take it a little bit easier than I had in the past.
“But it was great fun.”
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