North Melbourne’s Rhyce Shaw has taken an extended break from coaching for personal reasons, with doubts over whether he’ll return to the role.
Kangaroos chairman Ben Buckley wrote to members on Friday, confirming senior coach Shaw had taken personal leave following the club’s tough 2020 campaign, which saw it finish 17th on the ladder with a 3-14 record while being primarily based in a Queensland hub.
Following the club’s most recent game against West Coast, 11 players have been delisted, while Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins are also set to depart.
North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley has confirmed senior coach Rhyce Shaw has taken time away from the club.
Shaw led the Kangaroos to three wins in his first full season in charge of the team but whether he returns ahead of the 2021 season remains in doubt.
The 39-year-old has been granted an extended period of leave and there is no timeline for a decision on his future.
Buckley said the Kangaroos had delayed confirming or announcing anything regarding Shaw due to the wishes of him and his family.
The decision means Shaw, who replaced Brad Scott as the club’s interim coach for half of 2019 before being appointed to the gig full-time ahead of the 2020 season, is unlikely to be part of any further North list management calls during the upcoming AFL exchange period.
“We have been acutely aware of speculation regarding our head coach, but we have not been in a position to say anything as we are respecting the wishes of Rhyce and his family,” Buckley wrote in a letter to members on Friday.
“Rhyce has asked for some time and space away from football and we have provided him support during this period.”
Shaw spoke about the challenges of the coronavirus-disrupted season before North’s final game of the year, paying tribute to his family.
“We thank the media for their ongoing cooperation and trust they understand we can’t make further comment at this time.
“It’s been a really tough journey. I’ve learnt a lot about myself and what I need to do and how I need to approach certain situations,” he said last month.
“(The season) has been a disappointment, and it’s not one that I envisaged at the start of the year. It’s been a tough one on everyone. It’s been tough for my family.
“My wife Leah has done a fantastic job in supporting our two boys through this time and uplifting their lives to come and support me. It’s been really amazing.”
"Certainly, all the coaches are acutely aware of the ebb and flow of the season and the consequences of performance, but nothing would have prepared Rhyce Shaw for this year, or any of the first-year coaches," Brayshaw said.
"I'm not surprised that if you have a look at the ones that are doing well this season the teams are led by, in the main almost without exception, very, very experienced coaches."
North began the off-season by informing 11 players and six coaches they would be let go, while star forward Ben Brown and veteran midfielder Shaun Higgins appear set to leave in the trade period.
“In no way can we afford to brush over what was a year below our standards,” Buckley said.
“While we know our team was restricted by injury which compromised our ability to field our best side, our performances were not at the level we expect.
“There has been change, and there will be more, but we are not going to apologise for trying to make this club better.”
“As a result, and like we do at the end of every year, we are looking at our football department structure, list-management, coaching panel, high-performance, and medical areas and programs in an effort to improve across the board.
North Melbourne recently hired Shaw's former Sydney Swans affiliate John Blakey as senior assistant coach.
The club has also been paired with Premier-winning coach Paul Roos, who can play multiple roles in the coaching and football departments.
“I’m delighted John Blakey will be returning to his spiritual home for next season and beyond as senior assistant coach,” Buckley said.
“We will continue to add more resources and expertise to our coaching panel.”
The chairman also confirmed the Kangaroos will turn a “small” profit this year despite the significant financial challenges of the shorter season.
North Melbourne did not accept extra AFL assistance offered throughout the COVID-19 financial crisis.
The club expects to be clear of its last $400,000 of debt at the end of next year, accepting a delay to expand its Arden St base in part to accommodate the AFLW program.
