Heath Shaw signs on with local footy club for 2021

The former Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney star has picked where he will play this season in a massive coup for one club.

Heath Shaw has signed on with East Keilor. Picture: Michael Klein

Heath Shaw was linked to a long list of local clubs in the northern suburbs.

But the former gun AFL defender has signed with ambitious Essendon District Football League Division 1 outfit East Keilor for 2021 in a recruiting coup.

Shaw played 325 games at the top level (173 at Collingwood and 152 at Greater Western Sydney) before he was delisted by the Giants at the end of last year.

Heath Shaw shows off his new colours. Picture: Supplied

There was speculation the 35-year-old would join a third AFL club given his 17 years of experience and a CV which includes two All-Australian nods (2015, 2016) and a GWS best-and-fairest (2015), while Shaw also featured in Collingwood’s 2010 flag.

But Shaw will instead be causing myriad headaches for opposition sides in the second tier of the EDFL as the Cougars chase a premiership and promotion to Premier Division.

East Keilor coach Pat Christofi, who has been friends with Shaw for several years, said his marquee signing had returned to live in Melbourne and would be available for 14 games.

Christofi has also secured Shaw employment in a marketing and sales position with WIT Group, which provides property management services.

He said Shaw was “fully committed for two or three years minimum”.

“It’s probably the biggest thing that could happen to our footy club in god knows how many years because the guy is still capable of playing AFL footy,” Christofi said.

“He’s got a pathway now after footy in something he’s got passion for, which is the building game.

“Fortunately for me and the football club, I’ve got a lot of contacts in that game, and it’s what I do for a living. That’s how we drew him to the East Keilor Football Club.”

Heath Shaw completes a famous smother to stop Nic Riewoldt in the 2010 grand final replay.

Shaw was an elite rebounding backman at AFL level, but he will be capable of filling a position in any part of the ground in the suburban ranks.

The acquisition of Shaw adds to East Keilor’s enviable group of big-name signings, headlined by Chris Stewart, Marc Lock, Tim Bongetti, Paul Scanlon, Fabian Brancatisano, Brandon Coletta, Victor Micallef and Bruno Laguda.

Lockie Rayner, Nick Grigg, Lachlan Calder, Mark Mazzeo, Joshua Klaromenos and Jack Burns have also signed on since the end of the 2019 campaign.

“The main thing for East Keilor is what he (Shaw) is going to bring on the teaching side,” Christofi said.

“He’s a coach on the ground, a passionate human being, he loves the game and he gives it his all.

“Having a player of his calibre around keeps our players in awe and they want to get better and want to learn and listen.

“Along with Paul Scanlon, Tim Bongetti, Marc Lock, Chris Stewart and those sorts, it just adds to the mix of leadership and quality that our football club’s attracting, and our kids are only going to get better for future.”

Heath Shaw is set to cause plenty of headaches for opposition sides. Picture: Supplied

Shaw will only add to East Keilor’s player points squeeze, given he will be worth six points as an ex-AFL player.

But the Cougars are planning well beyond this year and aiming to test the EDFL’s elite in coming seasons.

“It (player points) is going to be a struggle … but this is creating healthy competition,” Christofi said.

“We’re trying to create a club that’s based on hard work and people wanting to be a part of something special and prepared to do the hard yards to get selected.

“Of course it’s going to be hard because the last thing I was expecting was a six-pointer to come along, but at the end of the day you can’t knock back Heath Shaw under any circumstances.

“As I’ve said from day one, we’re not preparing for 2021 – we’re preparing for the future.

East Keilor coach Pat Christofi. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“This is a plan that’s been executed bit by bit, and it’s about becoming great in the long run … not just becoming a good club. It’s about us being successful and competing with your Keilor, Aberfeldie, Strathmore, Greenvale, Pascoe Vale. It’s been the same four or five clubs (dominating) for the last 10, 15 years.

“It’s time for somebody else to come in and have a crack and try and shift that landscape a little bit.

“That’s all we’re doing. We’re working hard, I’ve built relationships over many years and it’s starting to pay off.

“Those that don’t like it, well, I suggest they get off their butts and do the same thing themselves.”

East Keilor’s aggressive recruiting has attracted its share of criticism after salary caps were slashed by 50 per cent for 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But Christofi said his club was not breaking any rules by building a formidable line-up after finishing runner-up two years ago.

“There is a points system and there is a cap,” he said.

“Where within it, and if people don’t like it, that’s their problem.”

The Cougars will tackle Westmeadows away from home in Round 1 on April 10.