Shane Woewodin

Infobox afl player


firstname = Shane
lastname = Woewodin


| birthdate = birth date and age|1976|7|12|df=y
birthplace =
originalteam = East Fremantle (WAFL)
heightweight = 186cm / 86kg
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 1, 27 March 1997
debutteam = Melbourne
debutopponent = North Melbourne
debutstadium = MCG
playingteams = Melbourne (1997-2002)138 games, 63 goals

Collingwood (2003-2005)

62 games, 31 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2005
careerhighlights =

*Brownlow Medal winner 2000
*Melbourne Best & Fairest 2000
*AFL Rising Star nominee 1997

Shane Woewodin (born 12 July 1976) was an Australian rules football player who played 200 games with the Melbourne and Collingwood Football Clubs. He was the recipient of the Brownlow Medal in 2000.

Early career

Woewodin, who attended Kent Street Senior High School as a teenager was made his debut for the seniors of East Fremantle in the WAFL in 1995. In 1997, he was picked up as a smokey by Melbourne in the pre-season draft.

AFL career

Melbourne Demons

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.

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. Woewodin had negotiations with Collingwood. 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 during his three-year stint at the club.

Woewodin's finest hour for the club arose in the round seven victory over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, a night best remembered for Chris Tarrant's goal after the siren to clinch victory. Woewodin's hard running across the ground ensured that his 25-possessions and two goals earned him three of his 12 Brownlow votes for the winter. From there Woewodin enjoyed a steady first season at Collingwood, as the Pies continued on from their stellar 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 the day - as were a number of his teammates - and the Lions ran out convincing 50-point winners. Prior 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 than a grand final. This outburst may or may not have been one of the factors in Melbourne not re-signing 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, however the following seasion saw Woewodin fall out of favour. With Collingwood winning a mere five games, the club's selection committee opted to pursue a youth policy, which saw the likes of Woewodin, whose lack of leg speed saw him unable to dominate the midfield as he once had, Andrew Williams and, to a lesser extent,Matthew Lokan, ushered out of the side. He was dropped to the club's VFL affiliate Williamstown on a number of occasions, and at the end of the season, was delisted.

Post-AFL career

Woewodin hoped to be picked up in the pre-season draft to extend his career beyond 2006 (he expressed interest in re-joining Melbourne), 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. Eventually he could only manage to play for 2 seasons in the lower-ranked WAFL.

On the Queen's 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, he was again overlooked by the draft, and it is highly unlikely he will be recruited by an AFL club at his age (31).

It was rumoured that Woewodin was asked to play in the annual E. J. Whitten 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 the AFL after playing in the Legends Game in the year following his first retirement.

East Fremantle

Woewodin finished his career playing 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. Again he was not selected.

He retired at the end of the 2007 WAFL season, finally accepting the fact that he would never play in the AFL again.

He was named coach of East Fremantle for 2008.

Personal life

Woewodin married Deanne Price in 2003. They have 4 children - Shaye (Deanne's son from a previous relationship), Taj, Sienna and Summer.

External links

* [http://www.effc.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116 East Fremantle Football Club player profile for Shane Woewodin]