Powerade Breakthrough Player – Oliver Shaw

By ZAC MILBANK

Central District’s Oliver Shaw is primed to be a contender for the Powerade Breakthrough Player award.

Making his Statewide Super League debut in Round 17 last year, the impressive 19-year-old showed in the clip below that he’s very comfortable playing against men despite his inexperience.

Measuring in at a handy size of 187cm and 84kg, the Tea Tree Gully FC junior is composed when playing across half-back – a role earmarked for him by Bulldogs coach Jeff Andrews.

”Oli’s had a really strong preseason and given himself a strong foundation for a breakthrough year,” Andrews said.

”He consistently works hard on his game. He will be important for us with his quality ball use and rebound off half-back, combined with his ability to intercept mark.”

Featuring in two games for the SA Under-18 team at last year’s AFL National Championships, Shaw can also be pushed further up the ground to use his neat foot skills.

”He also has the ability to play on the wing and set us up going forward,” Andrews noted.

To be eligible for the Powerade Breakthrough Player award, a player must be aged 23 or under at the start of the year and have played 10 League games or less.