Article about 25 year old debutant from North Adelaide curtesy of our sporting life SA.
The top story to come out of SANFL round 17 is the debut of Yatala Labour Prison correctional officer, 25-year-old super boot Darren Shillabeer with North Adelaide. After spending the majority of this year in the reserves Shillabeer made a stunning first up senior appearance in the Saturday game at Prospect Oval against the Eagles. The 195 cm, 98 kg key position player had 17 possessions, including 15 kicks and took a match-high 13 marks.
As the Roosters charged home after the main break, kicking 11 goals to four to defeat the Eagles by 38 points, Shillabeer kicked three goals in the second half and finished with 3.3 in his initial match. “Darren had been in consistent form in the reserves, developing his game under our coaching staff,” Roosters Football Manager Darryl Wintle said. “It was a pretty complete performance first up. “His last goal was kicked from 65 metre out after the final siren kicking towards the northern end of Prospect Oval. “He is a booming kick and that ball traveled through the post half way up.”
From Central Augusta, he is the nephew of Norwood half forward/rover David Shillabeer, who played 35 league games with the Redlegs in the Robert Oatey era between 1966 and 1970. Darren played four years of junior football in the SANFL - two at Under 17 level with the Roosters - and one each with North and Norwood in the Under 19’s. Shillabeer has enjoyed three A-grade flags in the Spencer Gulf competition, one under Gary Kernahan (Stephen Kernahan’s older sibling) as a 17-year-old in 2006 and two with the Central Bloods under former West/Port Adelaide strong man Ray Hayes in 2010 and 2011. He felt this was his last opportunity to have a crack at SANFL footy. “Craig Brooks (North reserves coach) has used me as a bit of a swing man,” Shillabeer confirmed. “I started at centre half back and then went forward. “I’m keen to have another big pre-season and play consistent league football next year. “A couple of the points were from mongrel kicks in the last term, before that last one.”
Footnote - Shillabeer explained that his previous shot was a 'mongrel' and after receiving a pass from Nick Amato late in the game he suggested to the boys he'd have a shot. The rumours that he can kick a ball over a wheat silo like Billy Brownless are unconfirmed!
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