The Curse of Rhyce Shaw

The 2003 grand final didn't start well. The Lions kicked early goals and took an early lead. It was midway through the second quarter and with the margin hanging around four goals Collingwood's hopes were in the balance. But the Pies were beginning to steady and find their feet, and I had a quiet confidence that they'd be able to turn it around. Then it happened. A moment so depressing so pathetic that Collingwood still hasn't recovered from it almost half a decade later. And it's all because of Rhyce Shaw.

Rhyce Shaw, the son of a former Captain Ray Shaw, and the nephew of the hero of our last premiership, Tony Shaw. Rhyce Shaw, the man with the bloodlines worthy of Magpie knighthood. Rhyce Shaw, the man who slipped and fell on the biggest stage of all. I attribute all of Collingwood's struggles over the last five years solely to the six second passage of play where a young nervous Rhyce Shaw slipped, fell and turned the ball over to Alistair Lynch who pounced and kicked the game-sealing goal in the 2nd quarter of the 2003 grand final. I will never forget that moment. The sheer disbelief that a professional sportsman could make such an elementary mistake on such an important stage. Collingwood didn't lose that grand final because of Anthony Rocca's recklessness in getting suspended the week prior. They didn't lose because Chris Tarrant was molested by Mal Michael and Justin Leppitsch all game. And they didn't lose because Tristen Walked, yes he of the 1 disposal and ill-directed hitouts in opposition territory, somehow won himself selection. They lost purely because Rhyce Shaw choked.

But they didn't just lose the 2003 Grand Final because of Shaw's choke-job for the ages. Everything bad that has happened to Collingwood in the past five years can be attributed to that six second passage where Rhyce lost his bearings. Rhyce Shaw is the reason why Collingwood were struck with injuries and failed to be competitive in 2004 and 2005. Rhyce Shaw is the reason why Collingwood didn't have the percentage points to win a top four spot in 2006. Rhyce Shaw is why Nathan Buckley took the field just 5 times in 2007. Rhyce Shaw is the reason why Gary Ablett snapped and goaled to win the prelim final last September. And Rhyce Shaw is the reason why Collingwood lost to Brisbane last night by 2 points.