Rhyce a Shaw thing for Collingwood

In only his second game since the knee injury 12 months ago which put his AFL career at stake, Rhyce Shaw repaid Collingwood's faith in him.

Shaw gathered 24 possessions in the Magpies' defining 13-point win over Sydney and vindicated the club's decision to stick with him amid calls last year for his sacking.

His 18 kicks and six handballs on the wing were second only to Scott Burns' 28 disposals but his contribution to the 14.11 (95) to 11.16 (82) win at Telstra Stadium was unmatched.

He ran hard, set up several goals for the Pies, was an effective avenue of attack and combined well with younger brother Heath in defence.

His inspirational goal late in the third quarter steadied Collingwood just as Sydney had threatened to take charge.

Shaw threw himself into a pack, came out with the ball, a blind turn freed him from the defence and he kicked the goal on the run from 40m out to restore Collingwood's 13-point lead.

His lack of match fitness told late in the game, but by then he had done what coach Mick Malthouse had asked of him.

"I was stuffed toward the end of the game," Shaw said.

"Mick gave me a few jobs and I did them in the first half then I got a bit lazy in the second half but I was pretty happy to get away with that."

Just as the maligned midfielder had finally established himself as a regular in Collingwood's best 22 after five years at the club, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in round 12 last year ended his season.

It looked like it would also end his time at the club as he seemed destined to be de-listed.

But the Magpies stuck with the 24-year-old, brought him back slowly in round nine this year against the Western Bulldogs, sent him back to VFL club Williamstown and then threw him into the fray against Sydney for his 53rd game.

It was only the second time he has played at senior level with Heath, 20, and it was clear the brothers have an on-field connection, as their father Ray did with their uncle Tony at Victoria Park in the 1980s.

"You can see they looked for one another and I would say they are also very strongly bonded brothers. It's almost a mateship," Malthouse said.

"I know you'd love to see that happen but that's not always the case.

"Heath has a very healthy respect for his older brother and his older brother looks after him like an older brother should look after a little brother.

"It's a terrific combination and the more we play them together, the better they are going to be."

Heath himself was a handy contributor with 20 possessions in his 17th game.

Teammate Tarkyn Lockyer said the Magpies players were delighted that Rhyce capped his comeback game with a fine goal.

"I think he high-fived every guy on the way back down to the backline," Lockyer told Channel Nine.

"For a guy like Shawy, he's black and white through and through, and it's great to see him come back after a knee reco and it's great to see him playing some good footy again."