Sport

Gallery ǀ Former AFL great makes appearance at Benalla Football Netball Club function

By James Kleeman

Apr 19, 2022

Rubbing shoulders with the best: Blake Goodwin, Heath Shaw and Craig Williams. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Despite the fact ex-AFL star Heath Shaw was unable to don a playing jumper for Benalla in last week’s Goulburn Valley League Good Friday clash against Tatura, he and Ricky Nixon still drew a big crowd to Benalla Lakeside Centre that evening for the club’s sportman’s night.

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Plenty of the Saints’ faithful turned out for the big event, with all getting the chance to listen to Shaw and Nixon share tales from their playing days.

The highly-anticipated arrival of Shaw on Friday did not go exactly as planned for the Saints, with the club announcing on Friday morning that Shaw was ineligible to play due to a points penalty that would be imposed on his contracted club, East Keilor, by the Essendon District Football League.

Shaw was in attendance on the day and assumed the running duties for the Saints’ senior side and offered his expertise in a different capacity.

Ensign photographer Brenden Paddock was there for the sportsman’s night to capture plenty of smiling faces.