SHAW, David

David Shaw came to Essendon from University Blues where he played in the Victorian Amateur side, and prior to that, from Ballarat where he played in 1956.

He was a strong, dashing and determined all-rounder, with the distinction of being chosen to play in virtually every position on the ground for Essendon throughout his career.

Shaw excelled as a ruck rover and wingman, but became an accomplished back pocket because he could outreach the rovers while matching their pace and agility.

He was named Best Utility Player in 1960 and 1965, Best Clubman in 1961 and Best Team Player in 1966.

He was injured for six rounds in 1964 and these were the only games he missed between 1962 and 1966.

Shaw was one of Essendon's best players in the 1962 premiership win, playing in the back pocket. In 1965, he was in the forward pocket in the premiership team but went off early in the game with a leg injury. He wore no. 4 instead of no. 5 in the 1965 Grand Final when the VFL was forced to make last-minute changes to some guernsey numbers worn by the Essendon team because some members of the public had endeavoured to sabotage the official edition of the footy record by printing a ‘rogue’ version (EFCPP&OA Newsletter, April 2022). He returned to his usual 5 the following year.

His best goalkicking effort was six goals in a game in 1965. He won the Best Utility Player award in 1959 and 1965, the Best Clubman award in 1961 and the Best Team Player award in 1966.

Shaw coached Ormond College at Melbourne University from 1971 to 1973.

David Shaw became a committeeman from 1971 to 1974 and again from 1984. He served as Essendon's President from 1993 to 1996. He also served as an AFL Commissioner.

He received the Order of Australia Medal in the 2021 Queen's Birthday honours for service to community health - in particular the Prostate Cancer Foundation - and Australian rules football. He was a partner in Campbell and Shaw Solicitors and was a director of Rule Prostate Cancer for some years.

David Shaw was made a Member of the Hall of Fame in 2011.