SHEARMAN, Bob

Bob Shearman was one of the youngest players to ever play League football when he debuted at the age of 16.

He joined the Under 19s in 1956 from Aberfeldie where he had played from the age of twelve. He won the Best and Fairest award in the Essendon District Football League Under 17s in 1955.

Shearman was a fine half-forward and then proved to be even better in defence where he became a strong half-back flanker. He could fly high for marks, was quick on the ground and was a magnificent long drop kick. There have been few better exponents of this kick.

Shearman played on the half-back flank in the losing 1957 Grand Final and in the back pocket in the losing 1959 Grand Final.

He won the Most Improved Player award in 1957, the Most Consistent Player award in 1958, and the Best Player Under 21 award in 1959.

Shearman stood out of football for the first 10 games in 1960 trying to negotiate a clearance to South Australia, but then saw out the rest of the year before getting his way. He left Essendon when he was still only 21 years old, with the potential to be a champion.

He transferred to West Torrens in South Australia and played there from 1961 to 1964, the last three seasons as captain. He moved to Sturt in 1966 and played there until 1972. He was captain of that club from 1969 to 1972 and played in five consecutive premierships with Sturt from 1966 to 1970.

Shearman was a South Australian Carnival representative in 1961 and won an All-Australian blazer in that year. He represented the State from 1961 to 1964 and was South Australian captain from 1962 to 1964. He also won the Simpson Medal in 1964.

He later had stints as assistant coach at Sturt in 1979, Woodville in 1980 and 1981 and South Adelaide in 1986.

He was inducted into the Sturt Hall of Fame in 2004 and the South Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Bob Shearman died while on holiday in Corsica, on 27th June, 1999, aged 59 years.