MASON SHAW CLAIMS 2020 BERNIE NAYLOR MEDAL

MASON Shaw has been remarkably consistent as a reliable goalkicker for South Fremantle ever since returning from Port Adelaide and he’s been rewarded in 2020 by winning the Bernie Naylor Medal as the WAFL’s leading goal scorer.

Shaw returned to South Fremantle following his time in the AFL system at Port Adelaide back in 2016, and while he initially shared a role in a star-studded forward-line and now is the main spearhead, his goalkicking ability has been remarkably consistent no matter the situation.

Shaw kicked another two goals on Saturday night against Perth at Lathlain’s Mineral Resources Park to give him 23 goals in eight matches for the shortened 2020 Optus WAFL Premiership Season.

Shaw’s final tally of 23 goals saw him claim the Bernie Naylor Medal ahead of Logan McDonald (Perth) who kicked 21, Tyler Keitel (West Perth) 21, Alec Waterman (Claremont) 19, Leigh Kohlmann (Swan Districts) 17 and Anton Hamp (Claremont) 16.

Shaw becomes the 10th player to win the WAFL’s leading goalkicker award from the Bulldogs which is named after South Fremantle legend Bernie Naylor who kicked 1034 goals in his 194-game career with the Mighty Red V.

By claiming the 2020 award, Shaw joins Ben Saunders (2012, 2014, 2016), Zane Parsons (2002), Jon Dorotich (1996, 1997), Craig Edwards (1992), Ray Bauskis (1977, 1978), John Gerovich (1956, 1960, 1961), Bernie Naylor (1946, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1953, 1954), Sol Lawn (1928, 1929) and Bonny Campbell (1922) as being the league’s leading goalkicker.

Shaw has been in career-best form in the shortened 2020 WAFL season having kicked 23 goals for the Bulldogs in the eight matches heading into the finals including the five in Round 8 in the remarkable come from behind win against East Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

He has finished the home and away season kicking 15 goals in the past four games after managing a serviceable eight in the opening four matches so he is in roaring form as the spearhead of the attack for a South Fremantle team hosting Claremont in Sunday’s second semi-final.

Shaw has now had a brilliant last 18 months for South Fremantle since becoming the main target in the Bulldogs’ forward-line.

When he first returned from his stint in the AFL system with Port Adelaide, he was part of an ensemble cast in the forward-line for South Fremantle including the likes of Ben Saunders, Cory Dell’Olio, Matthew Parker, Blaine Johnson, Zac Strom, Haiden Schloithe and others.

But now it is Shaw’s forward-line at South Fremantle and he has the 23 goals in eight games in 2020 after kicking 55 in 2019, 47 in 2018, 44 in 2017 and 51 in 2016.

It is a great reward for his consistency to win the Bernie Naylor Medal in 2020 but really what he is craving as Bulldogs vice-captain is a premiership to go with the success he enjoyed at colts level before leaving for Port Adelaide.

Coach Todd Curley couldn’t be happier with what Shaw continues to provide for the Bulldogs.

“He has been really competing for us in the air and if he can’t mark it, he’s bringing it to ground,” Curley said.

“To be honest I don’t care at all about the Bernie Naylor and I’m sure for him it might be nice to look back on, it wouldn’t be his focus either. But obviously we are pretty happy with what he is giving us.”

Shaw is already a proven performer and premiership winner with South Fremantle going back to his colts days where he kicked seven goals in the 2011 Grand Final win against Claremont to win the Mel Whinnen Medal.

He backed it up a year later kicking five goals in the Grand Final victory against East Fremantle as he won back-to-back premierships in the colts with 12 Grand Final goals before entering the AFL system.