Dale Shearer facts for kids

Dale Shearer (born 25 July 1965) is a famous Australian former professional rugby league player. People also know him by his nickname, "Rowdy". He played during the 1980s and 1990s.

Dale Shearer was a key player for Queensland in the State of Origin series. He also represented Australia internationally. He is of Aboriginal heritage. During his career, he played for clubs in Queensland, New South Wales, and England. He won the NSWRL Premiership with Manly-Warringah in 1987. He also helped Australia win the Rugby League World Cup Final in 1988. Even ten years after he retired, Shearer was still the top try-scorer in State of Origin history. He was also named on the wing of the Indigenous Australian team of the century.

Today, Dale Shearer is a professional speaker. He shares stories about his time as an athlete. He also talks about challenges he has faced and how to overcome them. He is a strong supporter of cancer awareness.

Biography

Dale Shearer was born in St George, Queensland.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in the 1980s

Dale Shearer started playing rugby league at a young age. When he was 18, he played for the Sarina Crocodiles in Queensland. His great performances caught a lot of attention. In 1984, he played for the North Queensland Marlins. He also helped Mackay win the Foley Shield. That same year, he played for Queensland against New Zealand.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles coach Bob Fulton quickly signed Shearer. He joined Manly before the 1985 NSWRL season. Shearer played his first game for Manly in 1985 against Penrith. He also made his State of Origin debut for Queensland that year. He mostly played on the wing or in the centres. In his first season with Manly, he played 22 games and scored 8 tries. This was the most club games he played in one season during his 14-year career.

In 1986, he made his international debut for Australia against New Zealand. He scored a try in his very first test match. Later that year, he was chosen for the 1986 Kangaroo Tour. He played 13 games on this tour, scoring 12 tries. He even scored four tries in one game against France.

In 1987, Shearer helped Queensland win the 1987 State of Origin series. He was Manly's starting fullback in their 18-8 Winfield Cup grand final win. This was against the Canberra Raiders. Manly had a fantastic season, finishing first. Shearer played 20 games and scored 13 tries, leading his team in tries. After the grand final, he went with Manly to England. They played against Wigan in the 1987 World Club Challenge. He also played 14 games for Widnes in England during the 1987–88 RFL championship. Shearer played for Manly until 1989.

Moving into the 1990s

Shearer joined the Brisbane Broncos in 1990. He played for Queensland in all three games of the 1990 State of Origin series. He was also the main goal kicker for the Broncos in 1990. He was chosen for the 1990 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France. In 1991, he played for Queensland in the 1991 State of Origin series. He also played for Australia in a test match against New Zealand.

After Brisbane, Shearer played for the Gold Coast Seagulls. He was Queensland's fullback for all three games of the 1992 State of Origin series. He also played fullback for Queensland in 1993. Shearer was Australia's fullback and goal kicker in 1993. This was his last year playing for Australia. He then joined the South Queensland Crushers. He played for Queensland again in the 1995 State of Origin series. His last game for Queensland was in 1996. Shearer later played for the Sydney Roosters. His final season was in 1998 with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Life After Playing Rugby

In 2000, Dale Shearer received the Australian Sports Medal. This award recognized his amazing achievements in rugby league. In 2008, he was honored as a wing in the Indigenous Team of the Century. He joined other legendary players in this special team.

Today, Dale Shearer is a public speaker. He talks about his experiences as a professional athlete. He also speaks about mental health and overcoming challenges. He is a strong supporter of cancer awareness.