Rugby League
Dale Shearer
The man who held Origin’s try-scoring record for 16 years — a Queensland legend and Indigenous Team of the Century winger whose story of triumph and recovery holds any room.
The man who held Origin’s try-scoring record for 16 years — a Queensland legend and Indigenous Team of the Century winger whose story of triumph and recovery holds any room.
Dale fits legends, speaking and community briefs across Queensland and league heartland.
His record needs no introduction: 26 Origins, 21 Tests, a premiership as Manly’s starting fullback, and an Origin try-scoring record that stood for 16 years until Greg Inglis passed it. Named on the wing in the Indigenous Team of the Century, he pairs on-field standing with lived experience of loss, recovery and rebuilding — told with honesty and humour that takes any audience with him. As a director of Indigenous-owned Red Emu Wines, he also brings a working business story. For sportsman’s nights, keynotes, community and First Nations programs, Dale is a room-holder with substance.
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Dale Shearer holds notoriety as an Australian rugby league legend and State of Origin great. Known as “Rowdy”, Dale held the all-time State of Origin try-scoring record — 12 tries — for some 16 years after his final Origin, until fellow Indigenous great Greg Inglis surpassed it in 2012.
Across a 275-game first-class career, Dale played for every Queensland club of his era as well as Manly — where he was the starting fullback in the 1987 premiership win — and English club Widnes. He played 21 Tests for Australia, toured with two Kangaroo squads including the 1986 “Unbeatables”, was named Dally M Representative Player of the Year in 1987, and received an Australian Sports Medal. In 2008 he was named on the wing in the Indigenous Team of the Century.
Dale achieved the pinnacles of rugby league success and was heralded as an on-field hero for his ability. However, off the field, he has experienced incredible personal highs and lows. As difficult as these challenges have been, he now speaks reflectively upon these events as a means of inspiration for all who hear his story.
Dale is a captivating speaker, sharing his experiences as a professional athlete, the life challenges he’s faced, mental health, and overcoming personal adversity. His story provides a raw insight into the life of elite level sports.
Dale is a passionate advocate for raising awareness for cancer in memory of his wife and father. He is an extremely engaging individual who will take all he comes across on a journey of laughter, reflection and inspiration.
Named on the wing in the Indigenous Team of the Century
Australian Sports Medal
Final first-grade season, North Queensland Cowboys
Final Origin for Queensland: 26 games, 12 tries and 66 points from 1985–96
Five-eighth in the famous “Neville Nobodies” Maroons series win
Australia’s fullback and goalkicker in all three Tests against New Zealand
Second Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France
World Cup Final winner with Australia
English championship season with Widnes: 14 games, 6 tries
Premiership — starting fullback in Manly’s grand final win, the last decider at the SCG · Dally M Representative Player of the Year · Manly’s leading try-scorer
“Unbeatables” Kangaroo Tour: 13 tour games, 12 tries, including four tries in one Test against France · Test debut with a try against New Zealand
First-grade debut for Manly · Origin debut for Queensland
[TO UPDATE] Caption
Dale speaks on adversity, mental health and Indigenous leadership — the highs and lows of a legendary career, told with the honesty and humour that hold any room.
The highs and lows of elite sport and life after it, told in his own words.
Loss, recovery and the Shearer Tackles Cancer story.
From the Team of the Century to founding Red Emu Wines.
Formats: conference keynote · panels & Q&A · school and sporting-org programs · brand events and appearances TO UPDATE — confirm formats
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