A key defender for the Brisbane Lions in the AFLW, Shannon Campbell has been an integral part of the team since its inception in 2017. Known for her exceptional defensive skills, leadership and courage, she’s earned herself the nickname ‘The Brick Wall’.
In 2022, she achieved her 50-game milestone in Round 1 of AFLW Season 7, which further solidified her importance to the team. She also won the ‘best on ground’ award in the Grand Final that year, despite her team’s narrow loss. Her consistent performance under pressure and crucial contributions to the Lions' defensive strategies make her a key player in her team's lineup.
Family passion for sport
Shannon’s rise to AFLW stardom is a story deeply intertwined with her family's love for sport and her own relentless determination. Shannon's roots run deep in the Sunshine Coast, where she’s a sixth-generation local. Her family’s history in the area dates back to 1870 and it’s woven into the fabric of the place where Shannon’s football journey began.
In a recent interview, Shannon and her father Keith, her self-proclaimed “number 1 fan”, provided a heartwarming glimpse into their close relationship and the pivotal role her family has played in her success.
“Shannon was a very happy, active kid,” Keith recalls. Growing up with two older brothers, she was always in the thick of backyard footy and cricket battles. “She copped a lot when she was young,” says Keith, “but she went back in again and did it over and over again.”
“Throw yourself in the deep end”
This early experience, Shannon reflects, taught her valuable life lessons: “I learned very quickly and very early that... having two older brothers would help me a lot in life because you have to throw yourself in the deep end. You don’t make it otherwise,” she adds.
Keith, a keen sportsman himself, along with first wife Kerry, fostered a love for sport in all their children. “As parents, we encouraged our kids to try everything at least once, as they might just find something they liked. When it came to sport, though, Shannon took it a little bit too far,” he laughs.
“She won the primary school tennis tournament, then she played AFL for Maroochydore, and she went on to play for Sunshine Coast and then Queensland in the AFL. She was also the captain of Queensland Country in Futsal, which is indoor soccer, and she played soccer right through to Premier Women's.
“She also played basketball at club level and softball for Sunshine Coast,” he adds. “So, she had lots of interests going on, but she just loved being around the people and the environments and she obviously had a bit of talent as well.”
“Half the time I followed what the boys were doing,” Shannon laughs. “Whatever they wanted to do, I would say, ‘I wanna do this too!’ And then I'd be the one that ended up sticking with the sport for a little bit longer,” she laughs. Keith and Kerry never pushed their children into any particular sport but encouraged them to try everything and pursue their passions.
It was Shannon's early experiences playing footy with the boys that laid the groundwork for her future success. “She was a bit of a trailblazer,” Keith says, recalling how Shannon was often the only girl on the team. The boys rarely passed her the ball, however, which forced her to create her own opportunities.
“It was a hard-fought way to do it,” Shannon admits, “but I'm grateful for the way it has panned out.” She believes that playing with the boys at a young age helped shape her into the player she is today.
Strength and positivity from Mum Kerry
Shannon's mother, Kerry, was also a talented athlete and a constant source of encouragement for Shannon and her brothers. Tragically, Kerry passed away after a 10-year battle with cancer when Shannon was young, leaving a void in the family but also a legacy of strength and positivity that Shannon carries with her to this day.
“She was always very positive,” Keith says of Kerry, “and some of the traits that Shannon gets, they're mainly from her Mum.” He sees Kerry's spirit in Shannon's unwavering determination and her “never give up” attitude.
Shannon agrees, “A lot of the things I learned in life were from my Mum... the ability to keep fighting no matter what.”
Shannon’s determination, skill and tenacity even earned her a soccer scholarship which took her to America, where she continued to shine. “I grew up very quickly,” she says of her experience overseas.
All about the team
But it was the call from the Brisbane Lions a few years later that brought her back to Australia and set her on the path to AFLW success. Keith says Shannon's career highlights would be the two premierships she won with the Lions, as “she’s all about the team.”
However, his chosen highlight as number 1 fan is when she won best on ground in a losing Grand Final. “It was a bit controversial,” he adds, “but it was well earned… she was clearly the best player on the field.”
For Keith, Shannon's proudest moments aren't just about the accolades. “The proudest thing for me,” he says, “is that she's been able to be a good teammate, contribute to the team's performance and be a happy, confident and respected member of the team.”
Shannon's humility shines through when she talks about her achievements. She'd “give anything to give back the bog (best on ground) medal just to get a third premiership,” she says. For her, the team's success trumps any individual recognition.
As Shannon's number 1 fan, Keith rarely misses a match. “He's come to most of my games,” Shannon says, “he's followed everything I've done since I was a kid.” Keith's support extends beyond simply attending games; he makes a point of calling Shannon the night before big matches to offer encouragement and check in on her well-being. “I'm not a superstitious person,” says Shannon, “but if I'm away and Dad doesn't call me, I get a bit nervous. So if he doesn't call me, I'll call him and hang up and make him call me back,” she laughs.
Competitive spirit ‘bans’ her from board games
Off the field, Shannon is a people person who enjoys outdoor activities, card games and spending time with her partner and their two children. She's also known for her competitive spirit, which has led to her being “banned” from playing board games with some friends and family members. “There you go. Yes, I can understand that fully!” smiles Keith.
Keith's unwavering support and encouragement has played a key role in Shannon's journey. “I can't say I've done anything physically,” he admits, “I haven't taught her how to kick. I haven't taught her how to mark… but I think as a parent, all you can do is be supportive and be there when your kids need you.”
Shannon echoes this sentiment and expresses her gratitude for her parents' willingness to allow her and her brothers to pursue their dreams. “It was you instilling from an early age the drive and the commitment to get things done,” she tells her father. “And about being a team player and working together.”
She concludes: “I'm Shannon Campbell and Keith is my number 1 fan.”
