HEATH Shaw readily admits that over the course of his life, he never had much interest in moving to Sydney.
"To be honest I thought it was a good place to go on a weekend, but I probably wouldn't want to live here," he told AFL.com.au.
"It's very hectic and busy and the traffic was no good."
Yet it has only taken a few short months for one of Greater Western Sydney's marquee recruits to fully embrace the city, just as brother Rhyce has done across town at the Sydney Swans.
Now the premiership-winning former Collingwood defender wants to help drive the burgeoning rivalry between the Sydney clubs, starting with their round one clash at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
"I think it's exciting," Heath Shaw said. "I'm used to big rivalry games at Collingwood, but I think over time this will get bigger and bigger and bigger.
"Playing against Rhyce is always good fun - him coming back from his knee injury and all that, so he'll be ready to go.
"We want to start off the year really well and have a crack at Sydney, who are going to be right up there this year, we all know that.
"We just want to see where we're at after a big pre-season."
Giants chief executive Dave Matthews and former Swans chairman Richard Colless are among those to have fanned the rivalry flames over the pre-season, particularly over the Swans' cost of living allowance and GWS' move away from Blacktown.
Lance Franklin's decision to join the Swans, having been linked to GWS for most of 2013, also added fuel to the fire.
The Giants have stated throughout the build-up they believe they can knock the Swans over for the first time on Saturday and their big brother is wary of the newcomers' improvement.
"It's going to be a huge game," Rhyce Shaw said. "Sydney-GWS is starting to get on a bit of a roll now.
"They're going to be a lot more competitive than they were the last couple of years and we're going to be trying to put on a show and play some good footy as well.
"It's going to be a great clash and with Heath there it's going to be even better.
"I played against him when he was at Collingwood and it was great fun and hopefully we can have another good contest in round one."
Rhyce Shaw battles with Callan Ward during last month's NAB Challenge match. Picture: AFL Media
The two brothers have travelled eerily similar journeys in their football careers, with both starting off at Collingwood, where they struggled through some disciplinary issues.
They were also both 27 when they parted ways with the Pies to move to Sydney and Heath hopes he can still mirror his brother in other ways.
"When Rhyce got married he was 31, hopefully I can find myself a wife up here in Sydney in the next few years," he said with a grin.
"But it's been a massive change and a massive journey.
"When I first started I was rapt to be at Collingwood and obviously thought I'd never leave.
"(But) as soon as Collingwood said they were going to trade me, I made the decision I wanted to come play for GWS.
"To be at a brand new club that didn’t exist five years ago is huge and I'm loving being part of something so new and fresh and hopefully we have a lot of good years ahead of us.
"I'm stoked Collingwood didn't want me anymore because it got me out of the comfort zone of Melbourne … you can relax a lot more and just get down to business and train hard and get the job done."
Heath has already had an impact on his new club, quickly voted into the leadership group and then appointed a GWS vice-captain.
Obviously hopeful of enjoying some success at the Giants, Heath also wants to help leave a lasting legacy for the club's youngsters, according to his brother.
"He's going to have a massive influence," Rhyce said.
"He's a premiership player, he's played for his state, he's done everything in the AFL.
"I know for a fact that he's had a big impact there already and being the vice-captain is a real credit to him.
"He really wants to get the best out of them, not only for his sake but for the team and for the club, because they're the ones that are going to take the club forward."
Rhyce Shaw has recovered superbly from knee surgery and enjoyed a trouble-free pre-season.
He is even prepared to offer a prediction for Saturday's match.
"I think it's going to be a tight contest, but we should come away with the win," he said. "I'd say by 32 points."
Regardless of the result, Heath has come a long way since those old negative thoughts about Sydney.
"Since I've moved up here, I've enjoyed every minute," he said. "Moving to a new club and a new state has been great for me.
"I've been going to the beach pretty often, which is rare for a guy of my skin complexion.
"I'm just loving the Sydney lifestyle."
