South Sydney, La Perouse 18-year-old Shanelle Lyons chasing her rugby league dreams in the NRLW
It’s one of the most famous surnames in the Souths Juniors competition, and 18-year-old young gun Shanelle Lyons is continuing that tradition for both South Sydney and La Perouse. Here’s her story.
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THE Lyons surname has been synonomus with rugby league in the south-east, and Shanelle is looking to continue on that famous legacy.
The 18-year-old is the niece of former first grader Graham, a classy winger who went on to play over 90 games in the top flight, most notably with South Sydney and Balmain, as well as playing for New South Wales in 1990.
In addition to shining in the big time, he also made his name and came up through the ranks at the La Perouse Panthers in the Souths Juniors competition.
The devastating ballrunner caused havoc for opposing defences, exactly what Shanelle is doing now for both South Sydney and La Perouse.
While she was too young to see her uncle in action, she’s heard the stories of his incredible ability, and has been flattered by comparisons between the pair.
“I never got to see any (footage) of him, but I’ve heard a lot of good things,” Shanelle said.
“They told me he was a very powerful, strong runner, sort of what I’m like.
“They say I’m like a spitting image of him.
“I get to see him here and there. He actually came and watched one of my trial games at Cronulla.”
The young gun has made an impressive start to the Tarsha Gale Cup season for her beloved Rabbitohs, with the centre currently leading her team with three tries from as many games, including a double against the Wests Tigers in round three.
They’re currently knocking on the door of the finals in seventh position, with Lyons hoping they can get there if they manage to click as a unit.
“It’s an unreal experience and I’m really enjoying it. It’s very hard,” she said.
“It’s going good out in the centres, I love it.
“We’re going okay, but we still need to gel. We’re playing with girls from New Zealand and all different areas, so we’re still learning how to connect with each other.”
Lyons’ rugby league journey didn’t start until she was 12 years old, inspired by watching her family play in the black and white, before doing something incredible of her own last season.
At just 17, Lyons featured for La Perouse in their NSWRL Metro Combined East Gold Conference premiership success, proving she was up to mixing it with the open women.
“It was pretty scary at the start because it was my first time playing older women,” she said.
“But once I got out there I was fine. There’s a big difference, but I find it easier.
“We’d love to go back-to-back this year.”
The ultimate goal now is graduate to the big time of the NRLW, with Lyons hoping to see the Rabbitohs competing on that stage one day.
“My dream is to make the NRLW so I’m training as hard as I can and playing as hard as I can to get my name out there and try to be recognised, so I can make where I want to be,” she said.
“It would be the dream to do it in Souths colours.”
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Originally published as South Sydney, La Perouse 18-year-old Shanelle Lyons chasing her rugby league dreams in the NRLW
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