Dale Shearer’s demeanour once earned him the nickname ‘Bad Attitude’, but it is a series of off-field scandals that have earned him a nomination for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
Shearer was called ‘Bad Attitude’ by Australian comedians Roy Slaven and HG Nelson during his glory days in the Queensland State of Origin team. He has since been called other names after a serious, drunken car crash and a publicised court battle with a fellow Queenslander.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. Kiwi international Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015 before Corey Norman in 2016 and Tim Simona in 2017.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Julian O’Neill.
Shearer nearly killed himself in 2009 when he crashed his Porsche 4WD on the Sunshine Coast. It was later discovered that he had been speeding and was over the legal alcohol limit at the time.
The former Broncos star was also involved in a court battle with fellow Queensland State of Origin player Adrian Lam, following a disagreement over the repayment of a loan related to a property deal.
Judges of The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame have invited Shearer and his attitude to the end of year awards night and have suggested he takes an Uber or a share bike.
Image:Nuna
The Frownlow Medal 