Run ... Heath Shaw has been down on form in recent weeks. Source: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images
COLLINGWOOD must find a way to help unshackle rebounding machine Heath Shaw after a dramatic decline in his offensive output in recent weeks.
The running defender is known to be battling groin soreness after consecutive six-day breaks, but it is tactics used to stifle him that are causing some concern before tonight's clash against West Coast at the MCG.
One of the game's most damaging backmen, Shaw averaged 410m gained a match up to Round 18, (ranked No.4 at the club), running off half-back.
But in the past three games that figure has dropped to 210m an outing (ranked 16th).
Shaw has been dragged back to the goalsquare by the opposition, in a bid to curb his run and carry.
It has left the 184cm premiership defender guarding some of the game's best key forwards such as Swan Kurt Tippett and Hawk Lance Franklin, creating a headache for coach Nathan Buckley.
Shaw's uncle, Collingwood premiership captain Tony Shaw, said the 27-year-old's form had dropped off but questioned whether the Pies were best "utilising his strengths" deep in defence.
"I think he doesn't mind playing deeper in defence, but is it better for the team when he gets up the ground?" he said. "If the opposition see him on the last line, they will be rubbing their hands together."
Shaw had only nine possessions last Friday against Hawthorn and again came in for criticism for his body language, after clashing passionately with teammates including captain Nick Maxwell.
Triple M commentator Luke Darcy said Shaw had to improve his output.
"It's not career-defining, but there's a bit of crossroads about his game leading into halftime," Darcy said.
Shaw is contracted for next season and, despite some ups and downs with Buckley this season, remains a required player at Collingwood.
The immediate challenge for Buckley is to help release Shaw into a greater upfield role. He has managed only one forward-50 entry in the past three games, according to Champion Data.
St Kilda great Danny Frawley said last night the return of teammate Alan Toovey from a knee reconstruction next year would help release Shaw.
"Toovey is normally that type of player to take the heat off 'Heater' (in a back pocket)," Frawley said on Fox Footy's The SuperCoach Show. "You can see he has looked frustrated, but it will be good for his development long term to say, 'I've been back there, Toovey comes back into the fold, we'll have a ripper year next year'."
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