STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Clean hands
+ Mobility
+ Overhead marking
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Follow-up work
- Ground balls

Shanahan's versatility has been highlighted by the ability to be swung down back when needed, or placed in the midfield. One of his better performances in 2024 came in Round 16 against the Northern Knights, where he was put behind the ball in the wet conditions in a big loss, and without his presence down there the margin would have been a lot worse. In the 2023 season, Shanahan also put in an excellent performance against the Dandenong Stingrays, where he used his intercepting ability to read the ball.

Another occasion where he held his own down back came that same season, again against the Northern Knights where he held his own against eventual 2023 pick 10 Nate Caddy, winning several contests and restricting Caddy’s output in the first half. Against a strong Calder Cannons side in 2024, Shanahan also played a defender/midfielder role again and performed admirably, showing he still had what it took to play those roles.

Shanahan's mobility has also been highlighted over the last few seasons. In 2023 as a bottom-ager, he was swung on-ball on numerous occasions which has also shown his ability to cover the ground for a player of his height. In the National Futures game on AFL Grand Final day at the MCG, he was also swung into the ruck, despite being undersized, however performed quite admirably by using his vertical leap to compete.

His marking throughout the Under 18  National Championships was on show as well, especially in the contest, on a lead and overhead. He led that competition for most contested marks and this saw him being named as the centre half forward in the All-Australian side, thus confirming himself as one of the elite key forwards in this year's draft. Throughout the year in the Coates Talent League competition, Shanahan established himself as one of the competition's most elite marks whether it be up forward or down back.

Shanahan's scoreboard impact has been proven through exposed form, especially when it came to his performances at VFL level with Essendon. Against the Northern Bullants on debut, Shanahan didn’t get a lot of the ball, however he managed to make the most of those chances by kicking four goals and having six scoring involvements, highlighting the fact he is a moments player and doesn’t need to get a high amount of possessions to have an impact on the game. With Shanahan not being the number one key forward like he had to be at times during the season with the Pios, the Allies and the Academy, he had to work hard to make an impact on the scoreboard.

There are few weaknesses in Shanahan's game, which tend to revolve around his follow-up work. This was seen in the second game for the Academy against Footscray, where there was a lack of defensive pressure and intensity applied with his second efforts without the ball. However, there can be a scope for improvement in this area, just like his work with ground balls - while he showed some great signs and improvement throughout the season, he can be a bit more cleaner when it comes to these situations.