A bold selection move by coach Craig Starcevich saw Shannon Campbell discovering her spot in the Brisbane Lions inaugural AFL Women’s team from the other side of the world.

In 2015, Campbell was offered a scholarship to play soccer for the Lower Columbia College Red Devils in America, she accepted and set off across the globe.

Before beginning her overseas journey, Campbell represented Queensland multiple times at Youth Girls and Senior Women’s State level, as well as gaining All Australian under 18 selection.

At home in the backline and known to be courageous, Campbell has already became a positive addition to the group after her first training session on Monday night.

Joining our first selected rookie, Kate Deegan as a talent with the round ball, she has noticed some new skills and improvements to showcase from playing soccer, including being named as a captain for her team.

“The skills I’ve learned include surveying the field - being able to see from the back line, being able to see everything from where I am,” said Campbell.

"I’ve definitely increased my communication - when I was younger communication wasn’t my strength and that was something that I wanted to focus on and definitely soccer has helped me with that.

"I was voted as the captain over there. So that’s definitely been one thing that has improved from playing soccer."

Being ‘footy-free’ for a year and a half is a traumatising thought for any AFL player, yet Campbell is excited get back into it with her Lions team mates.

"I’m looking forward to getting to play with these girls again. I’ve played with most of them through state footy and also just getting back into footy all together,” Campbell explained.

Backline coach, Daniel Merrett has a welcomed addition to his group in Campbell. 

Excited at the prospect of working closely with a former AFL player, Campbell is ready to learn and work on her craft.

"I’m hoping that over the next few training sessions and going into match practice I can have my own conversation with him (Daniel Merrett) to understand our form of game play and what I can improve on moving forward." 

"Main things is just being able to see all the options before just hitting it, taking all 6 seconds before releasing the ball, making sure that I’m choosing the best option and not just going first thought - get rid of the ball,” said Campbell. 

With less than a month until round one, things are getting more exciting in the AFL Women’s space.