SHAW, Robert

Robert Shaw came to Essendon's Under 19s from Sandy Bay in Tasmania in 1973. He was a long left-foot kick with pace enough to keep up with the fastest forwards. He was also a fierce competitor with a tough, rugged style.

Unfortunately his career was hampered by injury problems, the worst being serious knee injuries in both 1974 and 1977.

Shaw won the Best Clubman award in 1978 and was full-back in the 1981 night premiership team. He also represented Tasmania in State of Origin games in 1979 and 1980.

One of the best thinkers of the game, he became a career coach after chronic injuries forced his retirement. He began as skills coach at Essendon in 1983, then became captain-coach of Clarence in Tasmania in 1984 and 1985. He coached the Tasmanian State side in 1988.

He returned to Essendon to become assistant coach and coach of the Reserves in 1986, after which he moved on to coach Fitzroy from 1991 to 1994, and then Adelaide from 1995 to 1996. After another stint at Essendon as assistant coach to Kevin Sheedy from 1999 to 2005, he served as Fremantle's General Manager-Football Operations until the end of 2008.

His cousins, Tony and Ray Shaw, both had successful careers at Collingwood.

Shaw was an inaugural inductee in the Tasmanian Football League's Hall of Fame and elevated to Legend status in 2008.