DOB: 6 December 1967
Debut: Round 1, 1998 against Fremantle at Subiaco
Last Game: Round 22, 1999 against Essendon at MCG
From: Hobart/Fitzroy/St. Kilda, Selection #1, 1997 Pre-Season Draft
Number: 1 (1998-1999)
Honours:
VFL premiership player - 2000
Games: 37 (162 total)
Goals: 0
Career Statistics
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
| 18 | 0 | 19 | 48.64 |
Debuted with Hobart as a 16-year-old in 1984, before crossing to Victoria to play with Fitzroy in 1986. After six games as a ruckman/forward with their Under 19s and Reserves, Shanahan returned to Tasmania after the 1987 pre-season. He rejoined Hobart, winning their 1989 Best and Fairest, and playing in a state premiership the next year. Peter Hudson had coached Shanahan at Hobart, and was instrumental in bringing him to St Kilda with selection #92 in the 1990 National Draft.
Shanahan took two years' leave from his job as a police officer to join St Kilda, and after spending 1991 in their Reserves he was called up as a late replacement for an injured player in early 1992. From there he established himself, playing for both the Tasmania and Allies State of Origin sides during his time with the Saints. After playing in their 1996 pre-season premiership side, Shanahan was full-back in the Saints' losing 1997 Grand Final. At the end of that year he asked for a two year contract, but when only offered one he opted to join Melbourne.
He was a key contributor to Melbourne's rise up the ladder in 1998, forming a strong defensive unit alongside Anthony Ingerson and Marcus Seecamp. Shanahan played 15 games in 1999 but his form dropped off, and he remained on the list in 2000 without playing a game. He retired from AFL football in July, but played in a VFL premiership with Sandringham. He finished his career with the fourth most games without a goal in AFL history.
In 2001 Shanahan joined ACT side Ainslie as playing coach, where he was joined by Marcus Seecamp. In 2009 he was coach of Old Haileybury in the Victorian Amateurs, and was an assistant coach at St Bede's Mentone in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 he played one last senior game at age 44.
Shanahan is a member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.
| Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
| 1998 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
Tribunal record
| Match | Charge | Sanction | |
| Round 12, 1998 | Striking | 2 matches | |
| 1999 Ansett Cup Round 1 | Tripping | 2 matches | |
Notes
Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame says he played 17 games for Fitzroy's Under 19s and Reserves.
Lists
Interstate recruits
St Kilda
Media
Age - 11/04/1993, 20/07/2000
Canberra Times - 07/10/2000
Links
Australian Rules Football Wiki profile
Demonwiki image gallery
Draftguru profile
Policeman footballers - Boyles Football Photos
Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame
Wikipedia profile