NEW SWAN Rhyce Shaw leaves Collingwood with the hope that younger brother Heath can prepare for 2009 without the shadow of the off-field misdemeanour that saw him miss the last six weeks of the season.

The Shaws' August drinking session preceded a car accident involving Heath Shaw and forward Alan Didak, and for their actions the pair were told by the Magpies their campaigns were over.

Rhyce Shaw, who had missed the round-18 loss to Hawthorn with injury, was suspended for two games, but eventually returned to the side in round 22.

He also played in Collingwood's two finals, but soon decided that he needed a change similar to former teammate Paul Williams who found success after crossing from the Magpies to the Swans in 2000.

"This has definitely been my best year, so it's a weird situation to be moving, but it was definitely time for me to move on," Shaw told Sunday's The Age.

"The suspension probably did interrupt what was a good season for me individually and that's the regret that comes out of it, but all I can do is make sure it never happens again.

"I just want to enjoy my footy and I don't know if I was going to do that where I was.

"It feels like a good fit," he added of joining the Swans. "It's going to be a big move and in some ways it's sad, but I'm looking forward to getting away from Melbourne and living in a new city and doing something for the Swans."

Heath Shaw, an important part of Collingwood's defence, will add to his 71 games with the club after some early speculation that he or Didak could also be traded.

"It would be really good for him if they (the club) let him put it (the incident) behind him," said Rhyce Shaw.

"I think with everything that's happened this year it would be good for him to come out of it with a clean slate — not pretend it didn't happen, but not have any baggage from it.

"Heath knows he stuffed up, he regrets every minute of it, but he's a bright kid. I think he can help take Collingwood to a new level and he'll show that next year."