Shane Crawford

One of the AFL’s most marketable players throughout a successful 16 year career with Hawthorn, Shane Crawford has made a seamless transition into life in the media full-time. Having had a long association with Channel Nine as a key member of ‘The Footy Show’, ‘Sunday Footy Show’ and more recently ‘Postcards’, Shane continues to have a major role on both programs as well as across several other shows since his retirement from AFL at the end of 2008.

At the start of 1999, Crawford was entrusted by Hawthorn with the captaincy. It proved to be an astute appointment. Crawford led the young Hawks to Ansett Cup victory in the pre-season, before a season of individual brilliance saw him win the Brownlow Medal, his second Club Best and Fairest, All-Australian selection and scoop the pool in the media awards.

After leading the Hawks to consecutive finals series in 2000 and 2001, Crawford returned to his best, winning the club best and fairest in 2002 and 2003, All-Australian selection in 2002 and narrowly missing winning his second Brownlow in 2003. In all, Crawford was a four-time Hawthorn Best and Fairest winner and All-Australian.

In 2010, Crawford displayed the ultimate show of dedication and generosity when he embarked on his journey ‘That’s What I’m Walkin’ About’, an 11 day ultra-marathon from Adelaide to Melbourne. The run raised an incredible $500,000 for the Breast Cancer Network Australia and confirmed Crawford’s weight as a heavy-hitting media personality who has the ability draw a crowd anywhere he goes. Originally from Finley in New South Wales, Shane received his football grounding at Assumption College. He developed into one of the AFL’s premier players, entertaining football fans with his superb skills, endurance and tremendous courage.

In 2014, he has raised more money for the Breast Cancer Network of Australia, riding from Melbourne to Perth a distance of over 3700 km on the “Tour De Crawf”.

Having been seen on many television programs including the 2011 season of 'Celebrity Apprentice', Shane showed a blend of skill and personality to make it through to the last four contestants and endearing himself to the Australia-wide audience.  Crawford has featured as a contributor on numerous programs including ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ and ‘Money For Jam’.

With the Sunday Herald Sun, Crawford has taken readers behind the scenes and into the mind of a champion during his time as a columnist. He has also covered his other passion, Horse Racing, during the major Autumn and Spring Carnivals for the Herald Sun, again providing his unique and informed perspective. In 2011, Crawford has assumed the role as the face of Supercoach, the Herald Sun’s popular interactive AFL competition that is played by over 400 000 readers.  Shane and long-time colleague Glenn McFarlane produced his autobiography, That’s What I’m Talking About” in 2010 through Penguin.

On radio, Crawford was a feature on Triple M’s AFL coverage in 2009 providing special comments on its main Sunday broadcast. Again, Crawford’s balance between providing the listener with some great insight into the game as it unfolds alongside a mix of fun and humour is a perfect fit for Triple M’s audience.  In 2012, Crawford talent and insights were part of  AFL Live’s Saturday afternoon match broadcasts into regional markets.

With a fun and entertaining personality, Crawford is able to engage a wide ranging audience proving to be a formidable host, MC or speaker.