While most AFL players are on big figure playing contracts, AFLW defender Shannon Campbell works hard at the local yoghurt factory.
The 24-year-old lost her job in junior development at AFLQ last year, as part of cost-cutting measures due to COVID, before finding work as a factory hand and doing deliveries for award-winning Queensland Yoghurt in Kunda Park.
While she is extremely happy to be employed at the factory – a prominent, three-generation family-owned business – it’s another sign the wage gap between men and women at the top level of the sport is still significant.
Campbell buckets yoghurt into the machine, packs and helps make purees, along with doing deliveries.
The job change has been a blessing in disguise for Campbell, who lives at Maroochydore.
“It’s a lot better for my wellbeing because I’m able to leave (work) when I want, and I can work around when I train,” she said.
“It’s a lot easier and flexible, which is nice.
“As much as I loved my AFLQ job it was hard to fit in a full-time job with them and play footy at the same time.”
Among the leaders
Campbell is relishing a leadership role at the Brisbane Lions this year, when she expects to make more impact in the competition.
She is among five players in the club’s leadership group, after nominating for the position.
Campbell will use her experience and communication skills to bolster the team.
“It’s my fifth year (at Lions) and it’s good to be part of that leadership group,” she said.
“I’ll probably step up a bit more around the group and will be a bit vocal than I normally would be.”
Leaders were selected by player vote and coaches.
“It (the position) is something I’ve worked towards during the last couple of years,” she said.
“I’ve put my name in before and not made it and I’m extremely grateful that I can step up into that role.
“Even when I didn’t have a leadership title I’ve always wanted to be there (acting) as a leader anyway. I like to be approachable with other players and have a chat to them and be really personal with them. I think that connection has helped me gain the leadership role.
“I’m not someone that talks a lot in front of a group, but I do like to be one on one with people and to understand more about others.
“So, my leadership style compared to some of the other leaders is very different, but I think that’s one of the reasons I might have got the position.”
Fitness focus
Campbell, who kicked the Lions’ first ever AFLW goal in 2017 and was part of two grand finals (2017, 2018), should provide crucial experience in the backline.
And she expects to make more of an impression this year.
“I’ve definitely increased my fitness for this year so hopefully I get up the ground a bit more when I am playing,” she said.
“It (fitness) is something I’ve evolved over the last couple of years.
“It’s probably always been my weakness within my game, my fitness levels, because I’m just not a good runner.
“(But) I’ve worked really hard in the offseason to make sure I am in a position to be able to run out games if I have to.”
Campbell has worked diligently with the strength and conditioning staff at the Lions.
“I’ve been working in the gym and makings sure I’m following all the programs, with a lot of long distance running and also short, sharp, speed interval work,” she said.
The Lions reached the finals of the 14-team competition last year and were eliminated by Carlton before the season was cut short due to COVID-19.
“We’ve kept a lot of our group together so we’ve been able to build into the season a lot quicker than we normally would,” she said.
“I think we’ll be up there again … and Fremantle and North Melbourne will be very strong as well.”
In elite ranks
Campbell, who went to Kuluin State Primary School and Maroochydore State High, started playing footy with Maroochydore Roos. She then played for Hinterland and then went to Wilston Grange, where she was signed to the Lions.
She has since also laced up for the Roos in the state competition, when she doesn’t have AFLW commitments.
The national and state leagues are likely to be held around the same time this year, so top tier players are unlikely to get much game time in the Queensland competition.
Campbell is among a selection of Sunshine Coasters set to feature in the AFLW.
Isabel Dawes (Brisbane) and Tahlia Randall (North Melbourne) will also be involved. Lily Postlethwaite (Brisbane), who has played for Maroochydore in recent years, will also play.
The Lions will open their campaign against Richmond in East Melbourne on Sunday. You can watch Campbell and the rest of the team live on 7mate from 1pm. If you’re out and about, you can stream every game on the AFL Women’s Official App and the AFL Live Official App
