Former Magpie Heath Shaw reveals his relationship split between Grand Finals in 2010

Heath Shaw was the hero in the 2010 Grand Final replay for his iconic smother. But just days prior, the former Magpies star reveals he had a significant off-field distraction. Did he use it as motivation for his stellar replay performance?

Heath Shaw with his father, Ray, after the 2010 Grand Final. Picture: Colleen Petch

It was the unusual week that took a devastating turn for defender Heath Shaw.

Just days before his iconic smother in the 2010 Grand Final replay, the former Magpie’s preparation was marred by a relationship split “between Grand Finals.”

Shaw reveals he and his then-partner decided to “part ways” on The Extra Week, a Fox Footy special detailing the intimate details between the drawn 2010 Grand Final and the Grand Final replay.

Despite the off-field distraction, Shaw ran rampant in the replay, tallying 28 disposals, 10 marks and seven rebound 50s, finishing his emotional rollercoaster with a premiership medal around his neck.

Did the 24-year-old Shaw use the split as extra motivation? Shaw was coy on the matter.

“It was an interesting week, the girl I was seeing at the time we decided to part ways in between Grand Finals. You wouldn’t say it was ideal, but it worked out all right,” Shaw told Fox Footy.

“I won’t say that it played a part in me playing well that weekend but it was an interesting week and I suppose the whole situation was a bit weird.

“I’m never someone to be straight down the line so it was very unique.”

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Heath Shaw with his father, Ray, after the 2010 Grand Final. Picture: Colleen Petch

His premiership teammate Tyson Goldsack, who was recalled for the replay to replace selfless defender Simon Prestigiacomo, explained how he kept his Grand Final call-up from his own mother.

Missing out in the drawn thriller, Goldsack walked out of a meeting with coach Mick Malthouson the following Tuesday with a beaming smile on his face.

But then came the task of ensuring the news didn’t spread before the side was named, which he concedes was a “tough ask.”

“I told my old man, but that was it. We don’t mind keeping secrets from Mum so there was no chance of telling mum,” he said with a laugh.

“She found out when selection came out on the Thursday.”

The program also features anecdotes from Magpies premiership player and ex-Saint Luke Ball and former St Kilda stars Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna.

It airs on a special edition of Fox Footy Live at 6pm tonight.

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Originally published as Former Magpie Heath Shaw reveals his relationship split between Grand Finals in 2010