Shaw Ready For Pies Recall

The Age

Saturday August 23, 2008

By Martin Boulton

WITH key players injured or suspended, Collingwood has Rhyce Shaw in the frame for a possible return against Sydney at Telstra Dome tonight.

Shaw served a two-match ban for his part in a late-night drinking session that ended with his brother Heath and forward Alan Didak being suspended for the rest of the season.

Heath Shaw and Didak were fined $10,000 and banned from playing again this year after lying to the club three weeks ago when Heath crashed his utility into two parked cars in Kew. After initially lying about Didak's involvement, the players revealed he was in the car with Heath.

Rhyce, who was with the pair before the accident, was fined $5000 on top of his two-game ban for drinking while recovering from a back injury.

Having recovered and served his suspension, he trained with the team yesterday and coach Mick Malthouse said he was "pretty close" to playing.

He said defender Simon Prestigiacomo, who has not played since round 19 last year, could also come into the final 22 tonight. Shannon Cox is the other emergency player.

"Any of the emergencies are a chance to play and that's why you name them," Malthouse said.

Forward Anthony Rocca could also return soon, with Malthouse declaring "he's up and running" and making steady progress since having ankle surgery two months ago.

? Only three days after announcing Mark Haysman as the new chief executive, Greg Boulton yesterday announced his retirement after 17 years as president of Port Adelaide.

Boulton, one of the three longest-serving AFL presidents, was instrumental in Port's failed AFL bid in 1990 and the club eventually winning the second SANFL AFL licence in 1994.

© 2008 The Age

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