Shannon Grant

Recruited from the Western Jets, Shannon Grant began his career with the Sydney Swans, quickly establishing himself as a talented youngster and featuring in the club's 1996 Grand Final side. However, a desire to return to his native Victoria sparked one of the most significant trades of the modern era, seeing Grant land at North Melbourne while champion midfielder Wayne Schwass moved north. This exchange is widely regarded as a rare "win-win" deal, as Grant immediately flourished at Arden Street, becoming a vital component of the Kangaroos' formidable lineup in the late 1990s.

Predominantly operating as a crafty half-forward, Grant was renowned for his elite foot skills, goal sense, and ability to find space in heavy traffic. While he lacked blistering pace, his composure and football IQ made him a damaging offensive weapon capable of turning a match in a short burst. His reputation as a big-game player was cemented in the 1999 Grand Final, where he booted four goals to win the Norm Smith Medal in the Roos' victory over Carlton. A durable and consistent performer, he claimed the Syd Barker Medal in 2001 and earned All-Australian selection in 2005. Grant retired in 2008 as a member of the elite 300-game club and was named on the interchange bench in North Melbourne's Team of the Century.