CTV in South Africa > Rhyce Shaw interview
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CTV in South Africa > Intra-Club Match Highlights

Rhyce Shaw has used his first ever full pre-season to thrive on the South African training camp, culminating in an excellent showing in Saturday's intra-club practice match.

Shaw, 26, has played 74 matches in eight seasons, with his career littered with impressive patches of form, but also some serious injuries which always seem to cut him down just as he appears set to establish himself as a Magpie star.

In 2005 a mid-season knee reconstruction kept the older brother of Magpie defender Heath out for 12 months, then last year Shaw put in an extremely productive first half of the season before a severe hamstring injury cut him down.

Shaw spoke to CTV after Saturday's intense hitout in Potchefstroom, the final match preparation before next weekend's pre-season cup match against Adelaide in Dubai. He was one of the standouts playing as a midfielder, covering plenty of ground and showing an abundance of trademark dash and carry.

"For the first time I've got through a pre-season without any injuries, so that's a good start. I'm fit, I've lost a bit of weight, and I'm running pretty well," Shaw said.

"We really did need that hitout. The boys have been training really hard, the intensity out there was pretty good, the hits were pretty hard, I think we're in good stead for next week.

"It was a good hitout. It's been pretty tough over here, we've hit the ground running and we're doing alright."

With the players having been put through two weeks of demanding training at altitude, Shaw says they have appeciated the opportunity to mix game preparation with experiencing a very foreign culture, with the very warm weather an added bonus.

"It's a bit different to Arizona with the weather, it's hot every single day.

"We've really enjoyed it, we've done a few things that not many people get the chance to do, so we're really happy.

"It's one of those steps towards another good year for the club, so we'll make sure we take that into Adelaide and play really well."

Collingwood has now completed two intra-club practice matches in the lead up to the pre-season cup match in Dubai, and one young player who was drafted at the end of last year has caught Shaw's eye.

"Johnny McCarthy's done really well, he's got the body for it.

"I think he could step straight in if he really put his mind to it, but I know Mick and the coaching staff like to look after young players a little bit, bu I think he's one that might step up this year and play a few games."

Collingwood will travel from South Africa to Dubai on Thursday, then take on the Crows at the Ghantoot Polo Club on Saturday. The match will commence at 1:45pm local time, and will be televised live back into Melbourne from 8:30pm.