Despite the Magpies’ come-from-behind win over Richmond, defender Heath Shaw was annoyed on Friday night.

Before the match, the plan was for him to play a running role for the Pies, covering for absence of Ben Johnson, away from his usual position in defence.

However, his time in the centre square was short, as Tigers skipper Kane Johnson was employed to wear Shaw like a second skin and dragged the 21-year-old into the backline – a move that frustrated the talented Magpie.

"We lost Johnson so [the coaches] wanted to get a bit of run in the middle. I started there and then I got dragged back to the half-back flank, where I usually play," he told collingwoodfc.com.au after the Magpies' 25-point win.

"I was also getting dragged back to the goal square, so it was a bit hard. But if they're doing that to me and it's stopping [the opposition] getting the ball, in a way, it's a bonus for us.

"I was going to start in the middle, just to see what they would do, and then [Kane] Johnson came to me and I went to the half-back flank. I just tried to play my role there.

"[Johnson] came to me and it was a bit weird playing in the backline and getting someone on you. It was a bit different, but we ended up with the win and that's the main thing."

He did admit it was slightly gratifying to know he was considered in the opposition's preparation and that he had attracted the attention of one of the league's most experienced taggers.

"It is [a bit flattering]. He came to me when we played them in Mildura, and we sort of suspected during the week that it was going to happen again," he said.

"It makes you feel good, but it's also a little bit frustrating because you're trying to get the ball and you're sort of struggling just to do that.

"It makes it a lot harder, as a backman, but I suppose it worked out well in the end."

Shaw, who usually plays alongside the club's defenders in Shane Wakelin and James Clement, said Friday night's late withdrawal of the latter didn't disrupt the Pies' game plan.

In fact, he didn't even notice Clement was missing from the side until moments before the ball was bounced.

"I honestly didn't even know he was out, because when we ran out on the ground, the voice-over said ‘led by the captain James Clement’. So, I thought he was there," Shaw laughed.

"Then, ‘Wakes’ lined up at centre half-back and I was a bit surprised. I saw him and thought, ‘He's not supposed to be playing’.

"We've got plenty of guys who can fill in. Jimmy is obviously a really good player but ‘Wakes’ stepped it up and he played pretty well.

"It wasn't really tough because ‘Wakes’ and Jimmy play a similar sort of game. If we didn't have ‘Wakes’ there as back-up, it would have been more difficult, but he slid straight in there."

As Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse did after the game, Shaw praised the debut performances of Alan Toovey, Shannon Cox and Brad Dick.

"They just stepped it up, and Mick had said that you never know what you're going to expect from younger guys coming in for their first game and they played good games," he said.

"They all contributed in their own ways, and it's a bonus for the team and just good to have them out there."

Shaw went as far to – jokingly – suggest the club's experienced campaigners in Nathan Buckley and Alan Didak will have to fight for their right to rejoin the team, following the impressive performance of many members of the Pies' younger brigade.

"The list seems to be growing a bit and it's going to be hard for them all to get back into the team now," he said.

"Everyone is playing so well and we're looking forward to next week. I think the coaches might have a bit of trouble picking the team.

"[Buckley and Didak] just might have to come back in through Williamstown."