George Shaw

Who is George Shaw?

George Shaw was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the VFL during the 1910s.

At 164 cm, rover George Shaw was one of the smallest players in the game's history and kicked two goals in their 1913 Grand Final win against St Kilda. He also played in their premiership side in 1916, retiring in 1920 after playing 117 games for Fitzroy.

Following an unsuccessful pre-season trial with Richmond in 1922 Shaw took a position on the VFL field umpires list. Umpiring primarily in the Peninsula Football Association through 1922 and 1923 he was appointed to the round fifteen Essendon v. Richmond match at Windy Hill.

The Richmond Guardian noted, "Yorkie Shaw was not a success as an umpire and the Tigers complained that two of Essendon's goals were directly attributable to bad decisions".

Regardless of the accuracy of press reports Shaw did not umpire another match either in the VFL, the VFL Second Eighteens or the VCFL in 1923 and was not appointed to the VFL list again.