PLANS TO GIVE BACK TO GAME
FORMER AFL player Matt Shaw has earmarked a move into professional development and coaching when he retires from footy.
The 27-year-old ex-Suns and Carlton player, now with NEAFL premiers Southport, said he hoped to play for another five years at the second-tier level.
“I’d love to play until I’m about 31 or 32,” Shaw said.
“I’ve been talking to (Sharks football manager) Jarrod Field and I’d love to slot into a professional development role for when the young kids come up, to help them with finding jobs.
“I’m really keen to continue and help the young blokes.
“I want to be a development coach and off-field professional development coach.
“I don’t want to say goodbye to footy altogether. There are a lot of guys who haven’t been drafted who still want to play AFL footy.
“I want to try to help fasttrack them.”
Shaw believes challenges faced by AFL expansion club Gold Coast – under pressure to get immediate results in 2011 – combined with the established culture at the Blues in Melbourne had given him a thirst to help other footballers.
The foundation Sun played 102 AFL games for the Queensland club between 2011 and 2017 before joining Carlton for a year in 2018.
Shaw has since begun working for a bush regeneration company.