Gallery | Mooroopna breaks its duck with a spirited Goulburn Valley League victory over Shepparton United

But on Saturday, flint finally hit steel.

A spark, ignited after the past weekend’s cutting loss to Euroa, was gently blown into a roaring fire in the belly that showed plenty at Deakin Reserve as Mooroopna led at every change to tick off a 14.6 (90) to 10.12 (72) win over the Demons.

It wasn’t flawless, but it was fierce, and that’s what Cats’ coach John Lamont could appreciate in the rooms post-game.

“I know it's a bit of a cliché, but this win, the embryo of this win was in the rooms after last week's loss,” he said.

“Euroa wanted it more than us; both teams arrived 0-4. At our home, all credit to them, they wanted it more than us, so we did a bit of soul-searching.

“Our first quarter was good, our leaders gave us more leadership, our young players off the back of that really responded.

“I thought we controlled things up until the last quarter - we ran out of steam a bit, but overall I’m very pleased.

“The win's important for us, more than just the first win for the year.”

Lamont demanded gritted teeth, hard running and a heightened desire in response to the Magpies defeat and it showed as the Cats led for the entire match against United.

Mooroopna hit the scoreboard first but the joy was short-lived, as United’s Liam Fiore - fresh off a six-goal haul the week prior - kicked truly from close.

A trio of Cats goals closed out the first quarter, but the Demons were on the hunt early in the second.

Liam Serra finished off a slick disposal chain down the left, and despite the hosts occupying territory up forward, a flurry of spurned kicks were made to pay by youngster Noah Williams, who produced a contested clunk and finish to a big reception.

Blows traded both ways kept the Cats’ advantage at 15 points, but in red time, Mooroopna’s Will Wood popped up with a goal from the pocket that swerved left, right and through.

If anything, that goal was a sign of things to come.

Mooroopna won the third quarter with five goals to United’s three, and the game looked as good as done early in the last as Logan Campbell angled through a kick over the shoulder with his back facing away from goals.

The Demons weren’t done yet, though.

A flashy stab from an impossible angle by Jack McCartney found its way through, followed by instant followers from Jordan Loverso and Kale Gibson, signalling this game was far from dead.

But Mooroopna, determined not to let another slip, came up trumps late when Campbell took an intercept mark, iced the kick and the game to boot.

Lamont was uplifted by the “baseline effort” brought to the table by his boys, and among the many performers was a young tall who is rising through the ranks like no tomorrow.

“Mac Calleja had a really good game on (Liam) Fiore,” Lamont said.

“Last week's game, United versus Seymour, there's only six points in it, and (Fiore) kicked six.

“We put a 17-year-old on him ... I thought he did a great job back there.

“I felt that across the board, everyone at some stage has made a little contribution to what we've done, and not necessarily something on the stat sheet.”

For Mooroopna, other top performers were ruckman Jack Johnston and Jed Woods while Campbell enjoyed a fruitful day out with six majors.

In United colours, Kade Chalcraft was busy as always while Kyle Clarke and Declan Newbound also ran hard during the loss.