Kershaw grew up in
Wagga Wagga and started his VFL career at
South Melbourne, but only got as high as reserve level. He was swapped by South Melbourne for Richmond rover
Jon Hummel. He was traded to Hawthorn during the
1981 VFL season, along with a transfer fee, in return for veteran
Alan Martello. His only league appearance for Hawthorn that year came when in round 17, when ruckman
Don Scott was unavailable. Scott retired at the end of the season, but Hawthorn then recruited
Michael Byrne and Kershaw only played three games in 1982. ==Williamstown and coaching==