Shannon Hurn

Shannon William Hurn (born 4 September 1987) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). From South Australia, he excelled at both cricket and football at junior level, and at one stage had a rookie contract with the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). Prior to being drafted by West Coast, Hurn played for Central District in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), playing in premiership sides in 2004 and 2005. At West Coast, he debuted during the 2006 season, and has since played over 150 games for the club. Generally playing as a half-back flanker, Hurn has one of the most penetrating kicks in the AFL. He has served as the captain of West Coast since the 2015 season.

The son of William Hurn, who played 135 games with Central District, and the grandson of South Australian cricketer Brian, a member of South Australia's 1963-64 Sheffield Shield, Hurn was born in Angaston, South Australia in the Barossa Valley and attended Angaston Primary and Nuriootpa High School. Hurn was heavily involved in school and local sporting clubs, allowing him to excel in his favourite sports: cricket and Australian football. Because of his love for the two sports, his decision to seek a career in AFL over cricket would have been presumably difficult.

Hurn’s more professional career began whilst playing his two favourite sports simultaneously. He took on a rookie contract with SACA (South Australian Cricket Association) in 2004, turning down the second one in 2005 to focus on his football. Hurn played football for Central District, making it to two premierships in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Hurn was picked captain of the U-18 South Australian side and also picked in the U-18 All-Australian selection in football.