Submitted by Lewis Atkinson:
The thrifty survivor. The young bloke from somewhere else – almost urchin-like. His early formative years were spent under the insightful guidance of the likes of Ogier, Hyland (RIP), et al. Always fit and possessing a zest for the challenge of the contest which often seemed to boarder on the irrationally exuberant. He played most of his 20 odd-year red lion career as a stingy defender. A specialist on the half back flank and also as a sometimes eager-to-please utility/follower when presented with the opportunity by the coach.
He too was a coach and later a vintage alfa-romeo enthusiast. He nurtured both the alfa and the uni seconds for a couple of years whist still holding down a half-back-flank position in the seniors. Often sighted during the later stages of the reserves game half dressed and half strapped. A clip-board in hand, passionately conveying his parting words to his charges during the 3Q time address, before heading back over to the pre-game warm-up with the seniors. Maybe it was this pre-game juggling act that hastened his retirement from full time footy at 36 years of age with one of the clubs longest playing records.
Shaun is now happily retired having fully squeezed all the juice from his footballing lemon. Now his wife Alison, kids Charlie & Harvey and the navy blues are now the sole recipients of his enthusiastic urgings.
