AFL Daily: Jude Bolton backs former teammate Rhyce Shaw for North Melbourne job

Interim coach Rhyce Shaw is winning over North Melbourne's players, and one of his former Sydney teammates has compared his situation to when Paul Roos was caretaker at the Swans. RECAP THE DAY'S NEWS

Sydney champion Jude Bolton says Rhyce Shaw’s surge as North Melbourne interim coach is reminiscent of Paul Roos’ 10-match audition in 2002.

Roos was handed the club’s senior position despite them signing a deal with Terry Wallace that forced them to pay out the former Western Bulldogs coach.

He won six of his 10 games as interim coach but also won over the playing group in such a powerful manner the Swans hierarchy had no choice but to hire him.

After Sydney beat Richmond by 40 points in the last round at Stadium Australia, the Swans players flooded straight to Roos in congratulations to show him how much they wanted him.

“When Roosy did take over as the caretaker there was a wave of support from the playing group,” Bolton said.

“We wanted to make it known to the footy world that we supported him as our coach.

“There was discussion around Terry Wallace at the time but I can distinctly remember Round 22 and we finished the game knowing we wouldn’t make finals but we all went straight over to Roosy to get around him.

“We supported him and we wanted to let everyone know. You are seeing a bit of that at North Melbourne. They need to go through the process but there is a great show of unity at the moment and they are playing with a vigour of a finals-like team. They are showing real intent, which is exactly what you want. That is what Shawy would be trying to instil.

Roos interim coach Rhyce Shaw has made a big impression.

“You want to come off and know you have played a hard game. What are they going to think of us when the siren sounds.”

Bolton played alongside Shaw after he arrived from Collingwood with perceptions about his work rate and was quickly won over.

He believes there is enough emerging talent on Sydney’s list for John Longmire to want to stay on and complete the rebuild.

“I think he is in a really good position where he is highly regarded by multiple clubs. For me it feels like it’s premature for him to leave particularly now they have a young crop of one of the best groups in the country. But it will take time for that to come together.”

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Originally published as AFL Daily: Jude Bolton backs former teammate Rhyce Shaw for North Melbourne job