Jobe Shanahan is an exciting key position prospect who hails from Moama. Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree believes he is the best key forward in the draft. His skills are incredible he is athletic and loves getting up the ground crashing packs and taking contested marks.
At just 15 years of age Jobe first represented the Bendigo Pioneers in a futures game against the Geelong Falcons. This was the start of big things to come that year, back at his local club Moama, he produced a 60-goal season for their Under 17 side while also making his senior debut, managing 12 games for 13 goals including their finals campaign.
Jobe's efforts didn’t go unnoticed, resulting in him earning a spot at the Pioneers for 2023 as a bottom-ager, again splitting his time across multiple teams. He managed 13 games for six goals with the Pios, spending time down back, in the midfield and up forward. His efforts with the Pioneers were rewarded with Under 17 selection for NSW-ACT where he kicked three goals against Vic Metro. At his local club Moama, he booted four goals in the Under 17 premiership win, and went on to be selected in the AFL National Futures showcase game on AFL Grand Final day.
The Bendigo Pioneers and AFL Academy representation earnt him Under 18 All-Australian selection for the Allies in the National Championships, and he proved he can match it with the bigger bodies at VFL level with Essendon.
The 2024 season has seen Jobe earmarked as one of New South Wales’ best draft hopes, being named in the National Academy. He managed 23 goals from 11 games with the Pioneers, with his best haul being six against the Bushrangers in the last home-and-away game of the season.
Jobe's performances against the bigger bodies at VFL level caught the eye of many, managing 11 goals from three appearances when given the opportunity to play with Essendon’s reserves side. Once Jobe's season was over, he returned to Moama to play in their senior finals campaign.
Jobe is a big key forward who plays down the line who is able to hit the scoreboard from long-range and he showcased his attribtes across all the teams he represented this year.