The end of an era has come for a veteran of the Nar Nar Goon Football Club.
Shannon Stocco has decided hang up the boots after 25 years of competitive football, including 19 years of senior football.
Few across West Gippsland and Ellinbank would not have heard of Shannon, as he is very hard to miss on the football field with his enthusiasm, presence, competitiveness and chatter. Consistently voted the most annoying team mate at the club, he never goes unnoticed.
Shannon began playing as an 11 year old in the under 13s around 1997 then progressed through the grades, fourths 2000-01, thirds 2002-04 and seniors thereafter until his final game in 2021 when Covid halted the season and ultimately his playing days.
In all, Shannon played a colossal 239 senior games, along with 37 reserves, 48 thirds and 28 fourth games.
Shannon’s debut senior game was in 2003, while still in the thirds, was in round five against Cerberus. It was a notable for other reasons, in that Simon Ponter kicked the club record of 15 goals in that game. In 2004 he played three more senior games before becoming a regular in 2005.
Goal kicking was Shannon’s passion from early juniors to current day. Always one to be celebrating to the max, the opposition had no doubt who had kicked the goal.
A total of 303 senior goals makes Shannon the third highest goal kicker for the club. Along the journey this included 11 bags of five or more, and a career high of eight in 2011 against Buln Buln.
A highlight for Shannon was being a member of the drought-breaking 2010 senior premiership. The 10 year reunion provided great entertainment last year for his teammates, whilst he was still playing. Next time they’ll all be on the same side of the fence.
Over the years Shannon’s value to the team through his determination has not gone unnoticed. Four times he has been awarded the club’s most determined player.
In 2013 Shannon joined his brother Matt at Doveton for a year, before returning in 2014 to again relishing being up forward, to become the club’s leading goalkicker.
In later years Shannon was given more defensive roles, but always known to slip forward for any possible opportunity, as always giving maximum energy and effort to every contest.
Thank you Shannon for your playing service to The Nar Nar Goon Football Club thanks Shannon for his playing service and wishes he, Vanessa, Ollie and Louis success and happiness in whatever comes next.
– Story by Nar Nar Goon FC.
