Greater Western Sydney vice captain Heath Shaw will celebrate his 50th match for the club in their clash against Adelaide on Saturday. 

The 30-year-old joined the GIANTS at the end of 2013 after establishing himself as one of the AFL’s most reliable defenders at Collingwood.

Shaw debuted for Magpies as a 19-year-old in 2005 after being drafted in the 2003 AFL Draft at pick 48 as a father and son selection.  

He went on to play 173 games for Collingwood including a key role in their 2010 Premiership before being traded to the GIANTS in the 2013. 

Since making the move to Western Sydney, Shaw has missed just four games and hasn’t missed a game since round 19, 2014.

Last season saw Shaw complete his finest season of AFL, being named at right back pocket in the All Australian team for the first time and win the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the GIANTS' Best and Fairest. 

Talking to AFL.com.au after being crowned the GIANTS’ best and fairest, Shaw said making the move from Collingwood to GWS was the right one.

"To be honest it's been the best decision that's been made for me, or that I've made,” he said.

"To come to this place and start from square one, I'm absolutely stoked that I made that decision.”

Shaw’s form so far in 2016 has seen him continue to build on his reputation as the competition’s best small defender.

Last week Shaw recorded 36 kicks, the most in a game since Peter Featherby’s 40 for Geelong in 1981.

Even more remarkable his 38 disposals in the win against the Western Bulldogs came at 97 per cent efficiency. 

GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said Shaw played a smart game.

“Heath Shaw is a super competitor and he wants to win every contest he competes in,” he said.

Shaw’s leadership at the GIANTS has been felt not only on the field but off it.

Up and coming defender Zac Williams praised his influence on the club’s younger players earlier this year.

"When 'Shawry' (Heath Shaw) came to the club, myself and (fellow defender) Nathan Wilson were very offensive minded, so it's been really good with him coming in and teaching us some tricks defensively," Williams told AFL.com.au.

"He's been a really great asset for the half-backs in our team, we're really working on defending first and then working off our men. 

Heath Shaw will play his 50th game for Greater Western Sydney this Saturday, against the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval.