GWS veteran Heath Shaw says the AFL world will “never see me again” if the Giants win their maiden premiership this season.
The 33-year-old defender, who won a flag with Collingwood in 2010 before crossing to the Giants in 2014, is set to celebrate his 300th AFL game against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
“I didn’t think I’d get past year one (at school) let alone get to 300 games,” Shaw said on Wednesday.
“There’s been two clubs involved in that and lots of people throughout the journey.
“But I’ve got to 300 now, so no one can take that away from me.”
Shaw did not give any clear indication on his playing future beyond 2019, but said he would love to finish his career with a second premiership.
“If we were to win the premiership this year, I can honestly say you’d never see me again,” he joked.
“I’d be partying somewhere for the next year.
“So that’s the aim this year and then next year will take care of itself.”
Shaw was joined by former coach Mick Malthouse, former premiership teammate Dale Thomas and long-time rival Eddie Betts for a presentation at the GWS headquarters.
Shaw said his trade from the Magpies at the end of 2013 represented a risk for both himself and the fledgling AFL club, given he was then a 28-year-old who was “a bit loose on and off the field”, while the Giants had won just a single game.
“I’m proud of the way it panned out,” Shaw said.
“To be able to be a part of the history of the Giants and do what I’ve done here has been great.
“I was probably a bit stale and angry coming to the end of my 10 years at Collingwood. So moving to Sydney and playing for the Giants definitely gave me a second wind.”
Shaw said he was rapt to take on a significant leadership role from day one at GWS.
“That’s something I’ve really enjoyed and still do,” he said.
“It gives you a new lease on life each year, seeing guys come through and debut. That’s what’s great about footy.”
GWS, currently seventh with a 10-7 record, will take on ninth-placed Port Adelaide away at 7.10pm on Saturday.
© AAP 2019
