AFL Briefs: Shaw’s cheeky reveal; Brad Hill is ‘out of this world’

Heath Shaw has built a reputation as a serial prankster throughout his AFL career, this one caught all of his teammates off guard.

Heath Shaw has enjoyed a long and stellar AFL career and when he stood up in front of his teammates at a pre-finals dinner this week, many believed he was getting set to call time and hang up the boots.

Shaw however has built a reputation throughout his time in the league as someone who enjoys having a laugh and mucking around.

He was a part of the infamous Collingwood rat pack, a group of five players who constantly found themselves in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

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But after leaving Collingwood and joining GWS, Shaw has gone from strength to strength and become an influential player in the club’s surge up the ladder.

He went back to his old ways as he got up in front of the playing group and solemnly began talking about the past year.

“This year’s been a really long year and a fair bit of indecision throughout the year, but myself and the club have come to an agreement that …,” Shaw said before pausing and then pivoting to the real big news.

Heath Shaw's cheeky teammate reveal

“ … Stephen Coniglio is resigning with the football club for another few years.”

Coniglio had put off contract talks with the club until the end of the season and his name had been heavily linked with a shift to either Carlton or Hawthorn.

The superstar midfielder put pen to paper on a brand new seven-year deal to remain with the Giants, turning his back on the bigger money offers from rivals.

After Shaw broke the news to the players the camera pans to a smiling Coniglio who then stood up and spoke to the group. “Thanks for the contract Shawy,” he said.

“It’s been an emotional afternoon for me but ultimately I stayed because of the people in the room tonight. It’s become my family and it’s been a long year and I’m sorry to drag you boys through some questions you probably didn’t want to answer, but I never lost that belief in our club.”

The moment @stephenconiglio told his teammates he had re-signed (with a little help from @LordHeathShaw23 😂) #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/VgcZEEoGya

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 28, 2019

BRAD HILL IS ‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’

The AFL trade period looks set to be bigger than ever with current Fremantle player Brad Hill officially requesting a trade back to Victoria.

One of the league’s best runners, Hill enjoyed a stellar season playing on the wing for the Dockers but he’s one of the biggest names on the trade block.

His name has been linked with several clubs, but it’s St Kilda who look to be leading the race to secure him with rumours he’s chasing $900,000 a year.

Former Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford believes he’d completely change the way the Saints would play for the better.

Brad Hill will change whichever club lands him.

“He is a bit of a genius. The thing is, he might give you 25 touches and he uses the ball really well, but what he does with his gut running, he pushes so hard that it opens up all the defence,” Crawford told SEN Breakfast.

“All of a sudden they have to open up and be very cautious of someone running towards the goals.

“He allows those slower type players to slot into those little gaps. He’s so important.

“Whoever gets him, and people are saying St Kilda are favourites to get him, it’s a huge get.

“The Saints supporters are going to absolutely love him and guys like Dan Hannebery, it’s just going to really change their style of footy.

“You’ll say one player can’t do that, but his running ability is out of this world.”