Shane Biggs, the Western Bulldogs' other trade recruit

[comrade]

Shane Biggs, the Western Bulldogs' other trade recruit, eager to make fist of second chance

Date
October 23, 2014 - 4:30PM

Daniel Cherny


Shane Biggs had limited chances at the Swans.

When the Western Bulldogs pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in years to land a teenage No.1 draft pick on a seven-year deal, it's understandable that the club's other recruit, from a New South Wales club, would get little attention.

Shane Biggs, who was moved on by Sydney in the final hour of the trade period last week, has no qualms about his place in the public pecking order.

"I'm surprised I got a call off you!," Biggs says, laughing.

The acquisition of Tom Boyd should not, however, detract from the circuitous journey of Biggs - the 23-year-old who did not play in the TAC Cup and arrives at the Dogs via Warrandyte, Mulgrave, Bendigo and Sydney.
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Adept in heavy traffic, the half-back/wingman plugged away for six games off the rookie list in three season at the Swans, including two finals during the club's injury-ruined 2013 campaign. Finding the ball at senior level was not an issue - Biggs averaged 17.5 disposals per game from his limited sample - but finding openings in the jewel-encrusted Sydney line-up was not as straightforward.

He said that the club tried its best to keep up the spirits of Biggs and his fellow fringe-dwellers.

"Most of the feedback was, 'You've just got to be ready when the time comes'."

While Biggs "had a great time up in Sydney," the move back to Melbournewas welcome.

"It all happened pretty quickly, and I didn't have much time to think about it, but I'm really happy it happened in the end, so no complaints."

There was someone for Biggs to share his transfer with as well. New Gold Coast Sun Nick Malceski is not only like Biggs in terms of position and style, but the two share a bond stemming from the mentor program at the Swans. They texted each other during the maelstrom of trade period, in which both their futures were altered.

"We're pretty similar sort of people, so we paired up pretty well and caught up outside of footy. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor. He was a hard-working, high-standard player and I had a great time with him over the last three years."

Biggs joins Lin Jong, who only three years ago was a teammate at Eastern Football League side Mulgrave. "If you had have told me that when we were knocking round for Mulgrave, I would've politely said you're joking."

Biggs is also familiar with Tom Campbell and Tory Dickson from time shared at the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL.

Alongside the behemoth-like figure of Boyd, the less mainstream Dogs will look to take the club back into the finals for the first time since 2010. They might not have a captain or coach, but Biggs is nonetheless chuffed "to join a really exciting young group".

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...23-119v2v.html

Nice article.

[F'scary]

Can't go past the fact the Swans picked him to play in two finals in 2013. He must have something. And we pretty much got him for nothing. This could turn into a brilliant recruitment. I would like to hear more about how we got onto him.

[boydogs]

I would like to hear more about how we got onto him.

He tagged Griff late in the year, that could have been it

[Remi Moses]

Jewel encrusted Sydney line up
Nice line.

[Twodogs]

I like the Malceski comparison. It'd be great if Ronnie could kick the winner in a grand final for us to complete the circle.

[comrade]

Jewel encrusted Sydney line up
Nice line.

Ha, I'm mates with the journo who wrote the article. Thankfully, he is very much in the Gerard Whateley mould than the Damian Barrett/Mark Robinson style of gutter writing.

[Maddog37]

We would have offered a fair bit more coin than Sydney you would think and perhaps a longer contract.

[boydogs]

We would have offered a fair bit more coin than Sydney you would think and perhaps a longer contract.

That wouldn't surprise me, but that's only going to convince the player to leave, still have to get the club to trade him

[Remi Moses]

Ha, I'm mates with the journo who wrote the article. Thankfully, he is very much in the Gerard Whateley mould than the Damian Barrett/Mark Robinson style of gutter writing.

It's a very good article

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I need to educate my brain to see "Shane Biggs" instead of "Shane Birss".