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| In 1983, Dale Shearer's first season of senior football, the signs of what was to come emerged after he represented Mackay and North Queensland. He repeated the feat in the next season and was a member of Mackay's second successful Foley Shield team in 1984, as well as representing Queensland in the match against New Zealand. Shearer joined Manly-Warringah for the next season and was immediately successful at the top level. In the same year he made his first appearance for Queensland, playing in all three State of Origin clashes and scoring two tries in the return Lang Park match. Shearer gained his first Australian jersey in 1986 for the first Test against New Zealand, after again playing in all three Origin games. Injury prevented him from playing in the other Tests against New Zealand, as it did in many matches throughout his career. Shearer was selected for the Kangaroo tour later in 1986, playing in the last two Tests against Great Britain and the two against France. A Test appearance against New Zealand the next season was followed by a premiership win with Manly. Injury reduced Shearer's representative appearance in 1988 to a World Cup match against the Kiwis. The next season was kinder to the talented utility back. After two appearances for Queensland, he played all three Tests against New Zealand. In 1990 he transferred to the Brisbane Broncos from where he played in the three Origin matches, the Test against New Zealand, and then toured again with the Kangaroos, playing in all the Tests. | An indifferent 1991 season saw Shearer on the interchange bench for two of the interstate clashes. He was then picked for the first Test against New Zealand. 1992 took Shearer to yet another club, the Gold Coast Seagulls. Selected at fullback, he played in all three Origin matches. Shearer's form the following year saw him on the interchange bench for the first interstate game. He was then promoted to fullback for the remaining two clashes, earning a "Man of the Match" award for his efforts in Queensland's 24-12 win in the last. Selection for the three Tests against New Zealand completed a memorable year for the versatile veteran. 1994 produced another forgettable season for Shearer with injuries limiting his appearances for his club. 1995 saw Shearer find a new home with expansion debutantes, the South QueenslandCrushers. After again battling injury, Shearer played five-eighth in the first State of Origin match in Sydney, but unfortunately, injury again prevented him from participating further in the historic 3-nil whitewash of New South Wales. In 1996 Shearer was again chosen at pivot for the final State of Origin match. Shearer moved clubs once again in 1997 this time joining up with the Sydney City Roosters. His career has finally seen him return to North Queensland where in the 1998 season he has joined the Cowboys. Although no doubt disappointed at not being chosen in the Sate of Origin team for Queensland, Shearer was named as one of the Masters of Origin. |
