McFerran began playing for a St Albans FC boys' team at the age of nine.
At 17 McFerran joined the Sunshine YCW Spurs Women's football team.
[2] In June 2007 Shannon was one of two Victorian Women's Football League representatives in the E. J. Whitten legends match where she played alongside former Australian Football League players such as Scott Cummings, Nick Holland, Mick Martyn and Nicky Winmar.
[3] In March 2009 she was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a tumour in the canal that connects the brain and ear.
Returning after a season on the sidelines, McFerran played her 200th VWFL match for St Albans in May 2011.