North Melbourne interim coach Rhyce Shaw says his brother Heath is, “just another player” as the pair prepare to do battle when the Kangaroos take on the Giants in Hobart.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet but I’m sure there will be a phone call before the game,” Shaw told The Mercury.
“He is just another player this week. In saying that, I’m really proud of him and all he has achieved in his football career.
Shaw spent two years as an assistant to former Roos’ champion John Longmire at the Sydney Swans, before crossing to North at the end of 2018.
His immediate impact was clearly felt, with the 37-year-old offered the interim role after Brad Scott and the club parted ways.
Shaw says he is enjoying the added responsibility.
“The main difference being the buck stops with you,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the extra responsibility and spending time with every player across the list.
“The transition has been made that much easier because of the support I have received from the other assistant coaches, Leigh Tudor, Darren Crocker, Jarrad Moore, Jason Lappin, David Loader, Gavin Brown and Brenden Whitecross.”
The Roos have won three games straight, with two of those under Shaw, and he believes the strong form is a reward for effort in the earlier stages of the season.
“I think the last 3 weeks have been the result of the 3 weeks prior to that,” he said.
“We won against Carlton and were right in the next 2 games against Sydney and Geelong.
“We felt in those 2 games we didn’t quite execute our plans but still played some pretty good football.
“The past 3 games we have started to play the kind of football we know we are capable of with still room to improve.
“I think the change might have made us all assess where we are at and what we all want to achieve.”
The Roos’ turnaround has seen them enter finals contention at the half-way mark of the season, which Shaw thinks is a realistic goal.
“Playing finals should always be the goal of any team,” he stated.
“However, our focus must remain on the game ahead.
“We still have a long way to go in terms of the football we would like to be playing consistently week to week but we are certainly on the right track at the moment.”
Standing in North’s way are the Giants, who have been one of the competitions best teams.
“The Giants are a really impressive outfit, with some extremely talented individuals,” Shaw said.
“Having come from Sydney and seen their evolution as both a club and as a team up close, I know how difficult that job can be.
“We have to continue to improve all facets of our game and I think if we do that, we can make it a real contest.”
Tasmanian Rising Star Tarryn Thomas has impressed many, but maybe no one more so than Shaw.
“I’ve said this a little bit this week but I don’t think I’ve seen a cleaner pair of hands in a first-year player than the ones Tarryn Thomas has,” Shaw commented.
“His ability to take the ball first time, absorb pressure and then create for his teammates is second to none.
“I think Tarryn could play anywhere, literally anywhere! But, I do think he could end up in the midfield when his body matures a bit more.”
Fellow Tasmanian star Ben Brown has also been in strong form in recent weeks, sitting third in the race for the Coleman, despite a slow start to the year.
“Ben has been fantastic for us this year,” Shaw said.
“I really value what Ben does because of all the hard work he puts in during the week.
“He leaves no stone unturned in terms of his preparation.
“He has played some super football, I think none better this year than his performance against Richmond, where not only did he kick 5 goals but also competed in the air when totally out of position, bring the ball to ground to give us a chance at ground level.”
