A veteran of the national league, Shanahan will take the experience of 14 years and 371 NBL games into battle.

And, on the verge of the new season, Shanahan plans to stay in this game for a good many years to come.

“Being only 31 I think I’ve got a few good years left,” he said.

“I’m just really looking forward to the start of the season and I think we can do some exciting things.”

The number 13 will again be a major force for the Crazy John’s South Dragons when the new season fires up in just over three weeks.

And he has high hopes for what’s in store.

“It’s very exciting, especially with a young team, the guys are very energetic and training’s been really good throughout the pre-season,” he said.

“Sometimes the pre-season can be a bit of a drag but the guys have shown up every day and for me, having been around for a while, that’s been really motivating.”

As if eight clubs, two Championships and 14 years in the NBL had not satisfied his appetite for the game, Shanahan saw out the off-season as player-coach of the Ballarat Miners in the SEABL.

While he is the first to admit the role was a challenge, Shanahan’s foray into coaching has only fuelled his desire to one day call the shots.

“I did a little bit (of coaching) in the off-season in Ballarat and that was a good learning curve for me; I thought playing and coaching would be a challenging role and it definitely was," he said.

“I’m still a long while away from being a good coach but while I’m learning, it’s definitely something I still want to do."

And he knows he’s in no better position to learn the trade than at the Crazy John’s South Dragons.

“Guy (Molloy) is a great teacher of the game, Michele Timms and Shane Heal’s playing careers speak volumes and as people and players they’ve got a lot to offer,” Shanahan said.

While sidelined from this week’s trip to Perth due to a minor back injury, Shanahan will return to the line-up in time for next week’s double-header against the New Zealand Breakers.

And while he continues to fill a major role for the team on court, his knowledge of the game is proving just as useful off the floor.

“I guess having been around for 15 years I’m always looking to use my experience to make the guys better and make the team better, so I’ll be pitching in wherever I can,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to next week; as a new team, the more games we have under our belt the better we’ll be.”

Catch Shanahan in action when the Crazy John's South Dragons return to town on:

Wednesday, September 5
Crazy John's South Dragons v New Zeland Breakers
Tip-off 7:30PM @ Geelong Arena
Tickets: (03) 5278 3092

Thursday, September 6
Crazy John's South Dragons v New Zealand Breakers
Tip-off 7PM @ Kilsyth Stadium
Tickets: (03) 9728 1033