Family connections were on display as brothers Zavier Maher (centre left) and Blake Sofra (second from right) teamed up on field for the first time.
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They say country footy clubs are the lifeblood of a community, and in many cases its bloodlines that play a key part in sustaining clubs.
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While the four points weren’t forthcoming last weekend, Shepparton United’s team sheet had a distinct family connection not just around the ground, but back through Dees’ history.
The club wheeled out three sets of brothers in its round 10 showdown against Seymour at Deakin Reserve, with as many as 11 of the senior side holding a familial link to someone else in the team line-up.
And all have come through the junior ranks to fuel the club's bid for a long-awaited finals appearance.
United has benefited from the services of Collingwood-linked VFL star Zavier Maher in recent weeks, and in his second outing for the club had the opportunity to team up with brother and Murray Bushrangers star Blake Sofra for the first time.
Jordan and Nick Loverso have been regular contributors in the senior ranks, while the brothers three, Joel, Mitch, and Liam Serra have all played key roles for the 5-5 Shepparton United.
But beyond the boundary, ex-players that have been there and done that for Shepparton United watched on as generation next plot their next win in the Goulburn Valley League.
Mitch, Joel, and Liam Serra.
Three-time premiership winners Paul McInneny and Kevin Hicks, members of the all-conquering 1987–89 sides, watched on as sons Sam and Fraser, respectively, did battle against the Lions, as the stars of the 80s do often.
Sometimes, those connections run even deeper than that.
“(Sam’s grandfather) Brian McInneny played in the 60s for City United,” football operations manager Jason Kelly said.
“Paul McInneny played in the 80s and played in the three premierships, while Ric Sofra played seniors and reserves footy in the 90s.
“Angus Hicks' Dad, Des, played with United before he went over to Adelaide and played in the SANFL.
“Kevin Hicks is the current president, he’s the father of Fraser, Lachlan, and Jack, and he played in those three flags with Paul.”
It’s a premiership pedigree, and who’s to say the current-day Dees can’t replicate the feats of bygone eras?
A wayward United booted 5.16 in last week's defeat to the Lions, but regardless remain on the cusp of the six.
If they can straighten up and convert their chances at Moon Oval to claim the scalp of last year’s grand finalist Rochester in round 11, a long-awaited spot in the top six could be headed the way of the Dees.
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