Sam Reid will be given more minutes in Saturday's NEAFL clash with the Gold Coast as the key forward builds his case for a senior recall.
The 24-year-old was close to earning a recall this week but caution ruled having played just one game since tearing a hamstring in last year's qualifying final.
Reid was on the ground for 80 minutes in last weekend's NEAFL win against Sydney Uni, managing 12 disposals and a goal in a promising performance.
Shaw said we all have to remember just how long ago Reid's last game was and to expect him to be given ample time to ready himself for senior footy.
"It was good to get a game under his belt," Shaw said.
"We expect so much of Sammy and we sometimes we forget that he hasn't played footy since late last year.
"He's certainly good enough to play senior footy but he even admitted that he was a bit rusty so we're just going to let him play some footy for a bit.
"He's such a good player so I expect him to come out and play a good one this week and put his hand straight back up."
The NEAFL Swans will continue their outstanding season against the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
They are undefeated and will be looking to tighten their grip over the rest of the competition, going into the afternoon curtain-raiser one game clear on top of the ladder.
Shaw gave his charges a pass mark against who he declared "will be one of our biggest rivals this season" in Sydney Uni.
It took until the third quarter before the Swans took control of last week's contest. He wants his players to bring the same level of effort seen after half-time on the plane with them to Queensland.
"The one thing I have been preaching to our group is to just bring heaps of energy and intensity," Shaw added.
"The guys know the structures, they were taught early on throughout the pre-season, some have got a taste for it at senior level and we go through it every week.
"On game day it's not up to the coaching staff to bring attitude and energy. We can't do it from the box, they've got to do it out on the ground.
"That's what the boys have been doing so it's been brilliant."
The NEAFL Swans have made four changes for the Round 10 encounter, the clubs' second battle this season, while the Suns have welcomed back seven AFL-listed players thanks to the sun shining on the Gold Coast's injury list.
Reid will be used all across the ground while, after kicking four goals last week, Xavier Richards moves back into his usual spot at full-back.
Brandon Jack, Toby Nankervis and James Rose were listed as senior emergencies.
The last time these two teams met was not so long ago, in Round 6 at Blacktown International Sportspark, with the match ended in a 65-point win to the Swans.
NEAFL Round 10
Sydney Swans v Gold Coast
Saturday, June 3
Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, 12 noon
B: Colin O’Riordan, Xavier Richards, Sam Reid
HB: Nic Newman, Allir Allir, Lewis Melican
C: Jack Hiscox, Tyrone Leonardis, Abaina Davis
HF: James Rose*, Ryan Hebron**, Sam Murray
F: Kyle Galloway, Toby Nankervis*, Dean Towers
Foll: Sam Naismith, Jordan Foote, Brandon Jack*
Inter: Jake Brown**, Jake Veale**, Darcy Baron-Hay**, Ned Reinhard**
Emer: Angus Baker**, Callum McFadden**
In: Darcy Baron-Hay, Ryan Hebron, Ned Reinhard, Jake Veale
Out: Jordan Dawson, Tom Derickx, Callum McFadden, Matt Wilson
* Denotes senior emergency
** Denotes QBE Sydney Swans Academy top-up
