David Shaw

Recruited from University Blues after earlier football in Ballarat, David Shaw established himself as one of Essendon’s most versatile and dependable contributors during the 1960s. Standing 183cm, he possessed a rare combination of height and dashing pace that allowed John Coleman to deploy him virtually anywhere on the ground. While he excelled as a running wingman and ruck-rover, Shaw famously reinvented himself as a tight-checking back pocket, where his agility enabled him to match smaller opposition rovers while beating them in the air. He was a key fixture in the Bombers' 1962 premiership side in defence and played as a forward pocket in the 1965 flag victory, earning a reputation as the ultimate team-first utility.

Shaw's influence at Windy Hill extended well beyond his playing days, serving multiple stints on the committee before leading the club as President from 1993 to 1996. His administrative acumen saw him later appointed as an AFL Commissioner, solidifying his standing as a significant figure in the code's history. Inducted into the Essendon Hall of Fame for his service as both player and administrator, he remains a revered figure at the club, with his footballing lineage continuing into the modern era through his grandson, Western Bulldogs tall Sam Darcy.