AFL.COM.AU'S award-winning photographer Michael Willson spent time with Heath Shaw ahead of the Giant and former Magpie's 300th game.

Willson captures Shaw dining and having a laugh with teammates, hard at training, and during his mid-week media conference where the veteran dressed in a blazer, tie and footy shorts.

The photos ooze personality, show Shaw's quirky sense of humour, and his fierce determination that has made him one of the great players and driven him to 300 games. Check them out below.  

Sharing a laugh with assistant coach Mark McVeigh during the defenders' team meeting. ALL PICTURES: Michael Willson

The matchday boots need some wearing in before Saturday

Preparations underway in the locker room before a team meeting

Lightening the mood, Heath ever the joker

Leon Cameron addresses the team on the significance of Saturday's match; Heath a humble listener

Training ... with pretzels (see mouth)

Boxing with Adam Tomlinson on an unseasonably warm winter day in west Sydney

The caffeine hit

Jump like no one's watching

A keen eye on the clock as the torturous ropes are put to work

They don't get any easier, even after 299 games

Plate raises form part of the indoor circuit

As does planking, a gruelling task at times

Locker-room banter with former Collingwood teammate Lachlan Keeffe

Carb loading for Saturday begins at an Italian restaurant in Bondi with teammates

Shooting the breeze with Cogs


Regaling the group with story one of 299

Business time. Styled by Jon Patton

Time to face the media. Reading a prepared statement, strangely familiar

Media street: lights, camera, action

Partners in business, and training (FYI, that's Matt de Boer behind) ...

... as well as locker-room neighbours

 
In deep thought analysing the opposition

Logging on

Encouragement (?) is key

Massage and chill

Australian Football is not the only sport of interest

A business venture into racehorse GPS systems with Matt de Boer promises a bright future after football

Ideas men: de Boer and Shaw make a great team on and off the field

But no one's walking off into the sunset just yet