Interim coach Rhyce Shaw keen to be appointed full-time by North Melbourne as club pushes closer to top eight under his watch

Caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw has North Melbourne on the cusp of a remarkable finals finish after its shock win over Collingwood. No wonder he’s keen to be appointed the Roos’ full-time coach.

Kayne Turner celebrates a goal with Jasper Pittard and Shaun Atley. Picture: Getty Images

Call it a “Shaw” thing.

Against the club where his family name is considered royalty, Rhyce Shaw has delivered a stinging blow and in the process, sent a message to North Melbourne that the man to lead the club into next season and beyond might be right under its nose.

Shaw’s Kangaroos played inspired football against Collingwood, dominating the match for almost the entirety before running away with a 44-point win, 11.15 (81) to 5.7 (37).

Since the caretaker coach took over from Brad Scott in Round 11, North Melbourne has gone 3-1, with his resume now featuring major scalps against two top-four teams from last season — the Magpies and Richmond.

SHAW WANTS ROOS JOB

North Melbourne has approached John Longmire about its vacant coaching ­position, but Shaw is building a strong case for himself.

Afterwards, Shaw reiterated his desire to chase the job on a more permanent basis, but played down suggestions his team can push for the finals.

When asked if finals were on his mind, with the Kangaroos only a game and sizeable percentage out of the eight, Shaw said: “Not at all, mate.”

“I actually worry about the next challenge,” he said.

“This was a huge challenge for us playing against Collingwood at Marvel (Stadium) on a fast deck against a really quality midfield.

“That’s enough of a challenge for me to worry about. That’s all I was thinking. That’s all I planned for. It was really well executed by the boys.”

Shaw was more forthcoming about his coaching ambitions.

“I would love to coach this football team, no doubt,” Shaw said.

“But that is a long way down the road at the moment. I am just trying to get to Monday.”

PREMIERSHIP FAVOURITES? DON’T COUNT ON IT

Are we sure the Magpies are good?

That is the million-dollar question after yet another lacklustre Collingwood performance.

For a team that went into the clash equal favourite for the premiership with Geelong, the Magpies’ form simply doesn’t stack up.

Collingwood’s score against the Roos was its lowest since Round 5, 1995.

Since Round 8, Collingwood has now been pushed to the brink against Carlton, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs and lost to Fremantle and North Melbourne.

None of those sides are in premiership contention. In fact, they might all miss finals.

The next three weeks will reveal all for Nathan Buckley and his men.

Collingwood takes on Hawthorn before back to back road games against West Coast and GWS.

Jack Ziebell lets out a scream after a goal against the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

CUNNINGTON CAUSES ONE BIG MAGPIE HEADACHE

At what point does the “Ben Cunnington for All-Australian” campaign officially launch?

After almost certainly adding another three Brownlow votes to his name, the star Kangaroo might finally be about to get the official recognition he deserves.

The Magpies simply had no answers for Cunnington and at times it looked like there were two No. 10s at Marvel Stadium.

His final tally of 37 possessions is his highest for the season, in which he is posting career high numbers for disposals and clearances.

Cunnington signed a new three year deal with the Roos last week and there is no doubt that at 27, his best footy is yet to come.

Jasper Pittard marks in front of Jordan de Goey. Picture: Mark Stewart

MORE PAIN FOR LUCKLESS PIE

It was the selection conundrum the Collingwood coaching staff has been debating for weeks.

Could a three-headed forward line monster of Mason Cox, Brody Mihocek and Ben Reid thrive against the competition’s best defences?

The Magpies may never know the answer after the luckless Reid suffered a career-threatening injury only minutes into last night’s match.

Reid reached for his right Achilles after backing into a marking contest on the wing. He left the field immediately and then sat dejectly on the bench for the rest of the night.

Since the start of the 2014 season, the premiership Pie has played just 54 of a possible 128 matches.

In that time he has battled persistent hamstring, quad and calf injuries.

He was due to play his 150th game against Hawthorn next week. The 30-year-old is out on contract the end of the season.

COLLINGWOOD 1.3 3.3 4.4 5.7 (37)

NORTH MELBOURNE 2.7 4.8 8.14 11.15 (81)

GOALS

Collingwood: Cox 2, Mihocek, Phillips, De Goey

North Melbourne: Ziebell 3, Turner 2, Davies-Uniacke 2, Wood, Thomas, Polec, Larkey

BEST

Collingwood: Adam, Crisp, Grundy, Pendlebury, Greenwood

North Melbourne: Cunnington, Ziebell, Atley, Tarrant, Anderson, Simpkin

INJURIES

Collingwood: Aish (hamstring) replaced in selected side in Scharenberg, Reid (calf), Sier (concussion)

North Melbourne: Hayden (achilles)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Haussen, Chamberlain, Whetton

Official crowd: 38,801 at Marvel Stadium

VOTES: 3. Ben Cunnington, 2. Jack Ziebell, 1. Jed Anderson