After experiencing a couple of shaky moments in Monday’s win over Melbourne, Shaw was at his running best in the Magpies’ 66-point win over Melbourne.
The victory saw Collingwood move to fifth on the ladder.
However, the Pies will have plenty of time to reflect on the positives of Monday’s win at the MCG, with their next assignment against the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on June 20.
One of those positives is the continued return to form of Shaw.
Against the Demons, the defender collected 30 disposals, had 10 marks and a game-high 10 rebound 50s – more than double that of the next best on the ground.
The match was his fourth game back from a hamstring injury and the 23-year-old admitted it had taken him some time to regain his feet.
“The first couple of games after missing four weeks you’re feeling a bit sluggish,” Shaw said after the match.
“I think I’ve played four or five in a row now, so I’m starting to get back to my full fitness.
“It’s going to be good to have a week’s break but then again we’re sort of on a bit of a roll and I’d love to be out there playing.”
The Magpies asserted their authority early in Monday’s match, booting seven goals to nil in the opening term in a welcome change from recent weeks.
“Over the last few weeks we have let teams get a bit of a jump on us and playing catch-up footy is probably not the best, especially in the wetter conditions,” Shaw said.
“As a backman, it’s really good to see 7.4 to 0.4 [on the scoreboard].”
Shaw was among those responsible for turning up the heat on the young Demons. The highly-touted Jack Watts was wrapped up in a three-man tackle as virtually as soon as he set foot on an AFL field, with Shaw among the debutant’s welcoming party.
“You don’t want a first-gamer to come in and have an impact, so a little bit was said about him [before the game] but not a hell of a lot,” Shaw said.
A free kick resulted from the tackle, however coach Mick Malthouse would not have minded as his men signaled their intent that there would be no easy kicks on offer.
Shaw said he and his teammates had been hellbent on redeeming themselves in recent weeks after letting themselves down earlier in the season.
“We lost a bit of confidence after a couple of floggings against St Kilda and Carlton, and we just thought we’ve got to do something about it,” he said.
“The last three weeks have been really good. We’ve played well as a team and we’ve worked well together.
“There’s been a couple of standouts but across the board everyone’s contributed and done their job.”
