Now, they've become a powerhouse of local rugby.
The Eagles’ senior men and women tasted historic grand final glory at Glenrowan Recreation Reserve at the weekend, becoming the first club in recent memory to hold both titles.
Hungry for back-to-back premierships, Shepparton faced fierce rivals Tumbarumba in the men's grand final, eager to avenge their 34-12 semi-final loss to the Greens earlier in the season.
It was also the second consecutive season the two clubs had contested the grand final, with history favouring the Eagles that day in a 24-22 premiership win.
Little did either side know, the final score of Sunday’s game would almost be a perfect mirror.
Shepparton struck the first blow of the rematch, with Uelese Vaiala Avei the opening try-scorer.
Tumba’s reply came through Roy Smith six minutes later, and the conversion from Todd Bennett helped the Greens regain the lead.
Eagles’ coach Fili Fili crossed the line and Avei picked up his second within four minutes of each other to blow the game open, with Ratu Volavola Jnr on target with the conversions to fire Shepparton to a 16-6 lead before the break.
On resumption, the Greens came ready to charge with back-to-back tries via Rob Blatt and Smith, followed by a conversion and penalty goal to Bennett saw Tumbarumba gain a two-point lead.
As the players battled both the elements and each other, Bennett's two quick-fire penalty goals gave Tumbarumba a 22-16 lead with just 10 minutes left.
But in a heart-stopping moment, Zakary Samkakai burst forward at the kick-off, forcing a crucial Greens error that would change the course of the match.
Tumba dropped the ball, Samkakai took possession and stormed across the try line, with Volavola Jnr’s third conversion of the day tying the game at 22-22 and forcing extra time.
Still, there was nothing to separate the two sides until Volavola Jnr stepped up for one of the biggest field goal kicks in club history.
The eventual man of the match fired truly, securing the necessary golden point and back-to-back premierships, 23-22 in an absolute classic.
Shepparton coach Fili Fili said it was ample reward for his squad on a wet and wild day in Glenrowan.
“(It’s) just all our hard work, all the effort the boys put in throughout the whole year,” Fili said.
“It was a bit rocky at the start; we had a lot of new boys this year, but just seeing their growth, the effort, and all the hard work they put in, it really showed towards the back end of the season.
“It was really good to get the win for them, especially for the new boys that have come in.
“Hopefully we can go again next year.”
But as the two-time Eagles’ premiership coach pointed out, the day was special for more than just the men’s victory as Shepparton became the first club in the competition to hold both the men and women’s trophies.
Not to be outdone, the Eagles’ League Tag Women’s side capped off a remarkable unbeaten season with a big win over Corowa in the grand final.
Shepparton capped off an extraordinary undefeated season, clinching its 15th straight win with an 18-8 victory over the Cougars.
Star player Fofoa Tulimafono shone brightest, scoring two tries and earning best-on-ground honours.
Jane Sakaria and Delaura-Julia Pata also etched their names in as grand final try-scorers, while Deborah Fili hit an important conversion when the game was in the balance.
A 13-8 half-time buffer turned into 18-8 after Pata’s match-winning try in the 39th minute, and it was a proud Matt Lammon who paid tribute to his players after bringing home the clubs’ first premiership.
“The girls pushed hard all year so it was good to see them get the reward,” Lammon said.
“It was a really tight game up to half time.
“We made some silly mistakes, but then once we played our game, you know, we should have got on a ride and went well.
“All year our defence has been on, the communication, talking, and just pushing for each other.”
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