Dale Shearer

The man they called “Rowdy” was one of the most naturally gifted footballers to lace on a boot. 

Dale Shearer played his first junior football in Warwick, and also played in Ipswich, before making his top-grade debut as a 16-year-old with Sarina.

His father, Bob, was a school teacher, and the family moved around the state.

Shearer’s talents shone brightly and he enjoyed a spectacular 1984 season, representing North Queensland in the State League, and Queensland Country.

Manly Warringah won the race to sign this freakish talent, and he made his State of Origin debut from the Sea Eagles in 1985, when he played all three matches of the series.

By the time he finished at Origin level in 1996, he had played 26 matches for the Maroons. He played every position in the backline, except halfback, and was man of the match in Game III of the 1993 series.

Shearer hit the ground running, winning in the first of his 26 Queensland appearances, all while showcasing his versatility throughout the backline.

Shearer was a match-winning superstar and a Lang Park favourite into the 1990s. He was at the top of the all-time Origin top scoring list for 10 years after his retirement from the Maroons, a record beaten by fellow Indigenous great Greg Inglis.

I played Test matches for Australia, but back then, Origin was the pinnacle and it was tougher than playing Tests.

Dale Shearer FOG #43

Shearer was also named on the wing for the Indigenous Australia Team of the Century, alongside fellow greats Inglis, Arthur Beetson and Johnathan Thurston.