The number 23 has a special place in the Shaw family.

Ray Shaw wore number 23 for Collingwood which he captained during 146 games for the club between 1974 and 1981.

Now his son Heath is set to also wear 23 for his new club the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.

Shaw joined the GIANTS at the end of last year after 173 games for Collingwood including the 2010 premiership.

Shaw wore 39 for Collingwood but was happy for Tim Mohr to continue wearing that number for the GIANTS and pick up 23 which was previously worn by Sam Reid until his retirement at the end of last year.

"Dad wore (No.23) for his career at Collingwood so I thought it would be pretty fitting to wear that number here and I'm looking forward to it," Shaw told the Sunday Telegraph.

"Fresh start, fresh number, fresh state and I'm really looking forward to all these changes coming together for the new year.

"New spot in the locker room, too, which is good. Everything's new."

Interestingly, 2014 will be the first time a Shaw has not been involved at Collingwood for 40 years.

Starting with Ray in 1974, the Shaw family has also been represented by Heath's uncles Tony and Neville, brother Rhyce and cousin Brayden.

Tony Shaw played a record 313 games for the Magpies and captained them to the 1990 premiership in which he also won the Norm Smith Medal. He also coached the club between 1996 and 1999.

Tony wore number 22 for Collingwood which was later worn by his nephew and Heath's brother Rhyce before he moved to the Swans.