Rhyce Shaw’s purported ascension to the top job at North Melbourne is news to him, the caretaker coach refuting reports he is set to be unveiled as the AFL club’s permanent replacement for Brad Scott.
Shaw has impressed since taking over before the Kangaroos’ round 11 game, but he is adamant media claims that he has already secured the senior coaching role are wide of the mark.
“Nothing has changed since last week … it’s the same old, same old,” Shaw told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s getting a little bit awkward (answering questions about it) but I’m just going with the flow … I can’t do much about it
“I’m just trying to control what I can and that’s coach North Melbourne against Hawthorn at the weekend … that’s all I can do.
“It’s a bit of a funny situation but I’ll just roll with it.”
Shaw doesn’t believe he even has the right to be confident he’s in the box seat to secure the role after lifting the Roos up the ladder with four wins under his guidance.
Despite his protestations, the former Collingwood and Sydney defender is the heir apparent to Scott after John Longmire re-signed with the Swans, with other prospective candidates understood to have declined to interview in the belief Shaw is over the line.
After winning four of his first five games in charge, Shaw will attempt to snap a run of three defeats when North host the Hawks at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
The losing slide has seen the Roos slip to 14th on the ladder with a 7-11 record, effectively putting them out of finals contention.
Key defender Scott Thompson is a strong chance to play against Hawthorn after rupturing a testicle in the loss to Brisbane, while Shaun Atley will be given every opportunity to overcome a knee injury suffered in last week’s loss to West Coast.
Majak Daw’s attempt to complete a stunning AFL comeback from a shattered pelvis is over for this season after he sustained a hamstring injury at VFL level.
Shaw also revealed Sam Wright will play his last game for the club in the VFL at the weekend, the 136-game defender unable to conquer persistent foot and ankle injuries that have curtailed his career.
