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Rhyce Shaw's caring streak has been his strong suit during a rapid elevation from retired AFL player in 2015 to caretaker coach of North Melbourne in 2019.

Of the many AFL footballers to have formed a bond with Rhyce Shaw, none know North Melbourne's caretaker coach as well as his younger brother.

"He's always been there to give advice and be that shoulder to cry on. Being a coach, I suppose it's pretty similar to being a big brother," Heath Shaw told AAP.

The siblings have shared a bunk bed, houses in Melbourne and Sydney, football fields across the country and no shortage of ups and downs. Both successfully resurrected careers at the crossroads after moving to the Harbour City at age 27.

Last Friday night they shared a meal at Rhyce's home after Heath flew to Melbourne earlier than his GWS teammates, wanting to catch up with his sibling.

Rumours started to swirl about Kangaroos coach Brad Scott's imminent departure and both Shaw phones lit up.

It dawned on them that Rhyce, who memorably screamed "nek minnit" from the 2012 premiership dais and only retired in 2015, could soon be a head coach.

"It was an interesting 48 hours," the younger Shaw recalled.

"We had a conversation that night about what would happen if he did become caretaker and all that sort of stuff. The next day, everything went down and he was told he'd be taking over.

"I told him if he ends up becoming a lunatic like most coaches then I'll disown him.

"It's going to be him. He's not going to change who he is. He'll give it his all. He's a hard worker, he won't leave any stone unturned and he'll get the boys fired up."

One of Rhyce Shaw's more insightful admissions in an impressive first press conference as North coach was self-identifying as "a little bit quirky".

It is a trait reflected in his 2012 grand final antics and sense of humour.

Heath was the victim of one notable prank earlier this year, when Rhyce called wanting to use a different credit card so he could make sure a gift for his wife remained a surprise.

The younger brother obliged, only to receive an email confirming he'd been signed up as a North member.

Another example of Rhyce Shaw's quirkiness came last year at the SCG, where he created a cartoon video of a Colin O'Riordan leprechaun dancing to the ditty 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' to break news of the Irishman's debut to the Swans' squad.

The Tipperary product was one of many youngsters to have learned valuable lessons from Shaw, who coached the club's NEAFL outfit in 2016 and 2017 before mentoring the AFL team's back line.

Twice awarded 'assistant of the year' by the AFL Coaches Association, banter is just one of the 37-year-old's strengths.

Swans coach John Longmire pointed to Shaw's work ethic, people skills and caring streak earlier this week.

Shaw arrived in Sydney as a member of Collingwood's self-styled rat pack but was soon voted into the Swans' leadership group.

He sought a fresh start after the Magpies' 2008 season was marred by his club-imposed suspension of two games for drinking while injured plus Heath's drink-driving crash and misguided attempted to protect Alan Didak by lying to Eddie McGuire and other Collingwood bigwigs.

Five years on, a much-matured Rhyce literally opened his door to Heath.

The younger Shaw stayed with Rhyce's young family for a couple of months, having been traded to the Giants after falling out with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.

"I've managed to muck up a few times and he's always been there to support me," Heath Shaw said.

"If he wasn't in Sydney, I don't think I would have moved. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made, for my football career but also life. He played a big part.

"The feedback I've heard is players love the way he goes about it as coach. He has a good time, makes it a fun environment but when he needs to crack the whip he does and the boys respect that."

As a player and coach at Sydney, Shaw was a respected mentor renowned for welcoming recruits and easing their homesickness, supporting injured teammates, finding common ground with players from all walks of life and learning how to get the best out of them.

"The No.1 person for me at the Swans would be Rhyce Shaw," Alex Johnson said last year of the support offered throughout 12 knee operations and a 2136-day break between AFL games.

Friday night's clash with Richmond is the start of an immense challenge for Shaw, on several fronts.

The majority of caretaker coaches are not given the job permanently, with Paul Roos the most significant exception, but in Shaw's favour is the fact he has a 12-round canvas.

"It's a pretty good stint. Some people only get three or four weeks," Heath Shaw said.

"This is probably the best job interview you're ever going to get. Funnier things have happened, I obviously wish him all the best apart from when we play them in two weeks."