Shane Woewodin
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| Personal Info | |
|---|---|
| Birth | July 12, 1976, |
| Recruited from | East Fremantle (WAFL) |
| Height/Weight | 186cm / 86kg |
| Playing Career¹ | |
| Debut | Round 1, March 27, 1997, Melbourne vs. North Melbourne, at MCG |
| Team(s) | Melbourne (1997-2002)
138 games, 63 goals Collingwood (2003-2005) 62 games, 31 goals |
| ¹ Statistics to end of 2005 season | |
| Career Highlights | |
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Shane Woewodin (born July 12, 1976) is an Australian rules football player who played 200 games with Collingwood and Melbourne. He was the recipient of the Brownlow Medal in 2000.
Contents |
[edit] Melbourne
In 1995, Woewodin made his debut for the seniors of East Fremantle in the WAFL. In 1997, he was picked up as a smokey by Melbourne in the pre-season draft, and he had a fine start to his career, playing more than 100 consecutive games from his debut.
The highlight of Woewodin's career remains his 2000 Brownlow Medal victory, in which he capped off a solid season, finishing ahead of Bulldog Scott West in the votes. Woewodin also played in the losing Grand Final team against Essendon that year.
2001 saw Woewodin suffer the infamous "Brownlow Blues", struggling through injury and poor form as the Demons slid outside the final eight.
[edit] Collingwood
In the aftermath of the 2002 season, where Woewodin improved on his 2001 but was still unable to recapture his Brownlow winning 2000 form, Melbourne sought to trade Woewodin to Collingwood. Woewodin had signed a significant contract after the 2000 Season, and Melbourne argued it could not pay top dollar for a player who was not performing up to that price he was being paid. Negotiations opened with Collingwood, and by the end of the 2002 trade period Woewodin was sent to Collingwood for a first round draft pick (which Melbourne would use on South Australian half back/midfielder Daniel Bell).
In the days and weeks following his trade, it was revealed that Melbourne approached Woewodin at the end of the season with the view of negotiating a salary reduction. It was rumoured that, during the negotiations, Woewodin offered to reduce his $500,000 per year contract by approximately $50,000 per year. However, this was never officially confirmed as negotiations were confidential. In any case, Melbourne officials publicly stated that, specific figures aside, it was clear to them during negotiatons that Woewodin would never agree to the (substantial) reduction they had in mind. Accordingly, they entered into confidential negotiations with Collingwood. As part of the trade, it was believed that Melbourne would pay approximately $320,000 of Woewodin's salary in his first year at Collingwood and Collingwood would pay the balance: $180,000. In the second year, Melbourne and Collingwood were to pay his salary in equal shares and in his third year, Collingwood would shoulder the major portion of his salary. All this was unbeknownst to Woewodin, who seemed to believe that the renegotiation of his contract had simply stalled and would ultimately be resolved in a mutually agreeable manner. In fact, in the days prior to the draft, Woewodin went on a holidays to Mauritius as he assumed that he would be playing for Melbourne in 2003.
Woewodin was informed of his trade to Collingwood while still on holiday and was understandably shattered to have been moved on without any warning. A verbal war of words between Woewodin and Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, in particular, continued until the Melbourne-Collingwood Queen's Birthday match of 2003. After publicly stating he hoped the Pies would "smash" his old side, Woewodin got his revenge, picking up 22 touches in the Pies' 52-point victory. It would be the only time Collingwood beat them while he was playing for them.
From there Woewodin enjoyed a steady first season at Collingwood, as the Pies continued their 2002 form to once again meet the Brisbane Lions in the Grand Final. Despite kicking the opening goal of the match, Woewodin was quiet on Grand Final day - as were a number of his teammates - and the Lions ran out convincing 50 point winners. Piror to this game, he had stated to the press that he thought Neale Daniher getting rid of him was a blessing in disguise and that he was happy that he was going to play in a premiership this time, rather that a grand final. He also criticised Neal Daniher being that fact that Melbourne were so low on the ladder while Collingwood was in the grand final. This outburst may or may not have been one of the factors in Melbourne not resigning him when he was delisted from Collingwood.
As Collingwood slid from contention in 2004 Woewodin enjoyed his best season in black and white, finishing 2nd in the Copeland Trophy.
In 2005, Woewodin fell out of favour with the selectors in a bad year for Collingwood, who won just 5 games. Fans and the media began to nickname him "Woewoeful". He was dropped to the VFL side Williamstown on a number of occasions, and at the end of the season, was delisted. Woewodin hoped to be picked up in the pre-season draft to extend his career beyond 2006, but was eventually overlooked by all clubs in the draft. He gave a candid interview on SEN 1116 revealing his disbelief and frustration at not being picked up when realistically, he could have played for another 3 or 4 seasons.
On the Queens Birthday match between Melbourne and Collingwood on 12 June 2006, Shane Woewodin did a prematch lap of honour in an open top car with this children to celebrate his distinguished career with both sides. In an interview he gave prior to the game, he continued to signal his intent to return to the AFL in 2007 and was doing "all the right things" with East Fremantle in an attempt to catch the eye of recruiting staff. Woewodin added that he did not have a manager at this point in time, but was hopeful of selection if he simply nominated himself for the draft. Woewodin tipped Melbourne to win the highly publicised top-of-the-table clash in front of 80,000 supporters... and he was right. However, most of the football world believes that Woewodin is wrong about his chances of being drafted in 2007.
It was rumoured that Woewodin was asked to play in the annual Legends Game with all the other past players, but refused - apparently because he felt that it would completely ruin his chances of being drafted in 2007. This is despite the fact that Paul Salmon made a comeback to AFL after playing in the Legends Game in the year following his first retirement.
[edit] East Fremantle
Woewodin currently plays for East Fremantle in the WAFL, his original club.
In May 2006, after a 37-possession performance for Western Australia against South Australia, Woewodin again reiterated his desire to return to AFL level.
[edit] Personal life
Woewodin is married to Deanne Price. They have 3 children with another one of the way - Shaye (Deanne's son from a previous relationship), Taj and Sienna.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Shane Crawford |
Brownlow Medallist 2000 |
Succeeded by Jason Akermanis |
