North backs Shaw selection process
NORTH Melbourne insists it undertook an exhaustive process in securing Rhyce Shaw as its full-time senior AFL coach, despite him being the only candidate who formally presented to the selection panel.
Shaw, 37, agreed to terms with the Kangaroos on Wednesday afternoon to replace Brad Scott for at least the next three seasons.
The former Collingwood and Sydney player had impressed the Kangaroos powerbrokers during an eight-game stint as interim coach.
North won four of the games under Shaw’s tutelage, although they are on a threematch losing streak and out of finals contention in 14th spot.
The Kangaroos made a big play for club great John Longmire but when he elected to remain as Sydney coach, Shaw’s appointment was pretty much a fait accompli.
The club had also put the question to premiership coaches and Kangaroos alumni Alastair Clarkson and Adam Simpson but were rebuffed.
North chairman Ben Buckley said the club spoke to others but Shaw was the only candidate to formally front the five-man selection panel led by Buckley, chief executive Carl Dilena and club great Glenn Archer.
“I’ve seen some commentary about our process and I can assure our members and supporters it was exhaustive,” Buckley said yesterday.
“Right from the outset, we identified right across the industry a significant number of people who we thought had the capability to do the job.
“We obviously had conversations with those who are pretty experienced and pretty successful, as you would expect us to.
“All along that process, we had the opportunity to observe Rhyce in a live situation which I have to say, we’re fortunate that we had because it gives us an opportunity to see someone almost presenting week-in, week-out.”
Buckley doesn’t believe Shaw’s outright favouritism deterred other candidates.
“We spoke to quite a number of individuals and some of those were highly engaged; others weren’t so for different reasons,” Buckley said.
“I can’t recall anyone saying ‘I’m not putting my name up because I think Rhyce is a lock’ and I think Rhyce would tell you he’s gone through a pretty extensive process and some pretty hard questioning.
“We saw a body of work over four or five games and realised the increased output from the team wasn’t just a sugar hit, which can happen sometimes when an interim coach comes in.
“I think we started to see a sustained, steady improvement and an understanding and a capability to do the job and take the job on.”
Shaw’s deal will become a rolling contract after an initial two-year fixed period.
“It probably has happened a little quicker than I expected but I back myself in any situation,” Shaw said.
“I’ve been in the industry for 20 years now and I think I know it pretty well.
“I’m still learning each and every day and that’s the great thing about being a senior coach.”
Having cut his teeth as an assistant under Longmire at the Swans, Shaw hopes to have a senior mentor figure alongside him in the coaching box.
The Roos will park decisions on that or any other appointments until Brady Rawlings takes over as football boss at season’s end.