The Demons endured a torrid season on the park last year as they finished at the foot of the Goulburn Valley League ladder, with a solitary win next to their name.
But heading into the new campaign there is optimism things are looking more positive at Demonland.
One of United’s favourite sons Duane Hueston will lead the side, taking on the senior coaching role from Paul Serra.
Good hands: Blake Serra takes a strong grab for Shepparton United.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
Hueston said he’d been impressed with the attitude among the playing group, especially after what was a difficult year.
“Normally, if you come in and you are 1-17 for the year, you think spirits can be flat, but that's not the case. They are a very close group. So that's what I've noticed first, coming in,“ he said.
“The biggest thing that took me back was when I first came in was just their desire, their endeavour. They want to get better and they train really hard.”
Bright spots: Kyle Clarke was one of the shining lights for Shepparton United last season, finishing second in the club’s best-and-fairest.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
United has welcomed a host of recruits this off-season as it looks to get back towards finals contention.
Jye Chalcraft is a Demon once again having signed on with the club after winning Geelong VFL’s best and fairest in 2022.
Talls Sean Thompson and Damon Carroll will bolster United’s ruck stocks, while Jayden Margo is another big-name recruit from the NTFL.
United junior product Fergus Pinnuck has returned to the club from the VAFA having trained with North Melbourne in the off-season, with other young talent expected to get a taste of senior football.
PLAYER CHANGES
Ins: Tristan Salau (Tallygaroopna), Hayden Gray (Rushworth), Zak Wikman (Rushworth), Adam Schenk (Sale City), Jye Chalcraft (Geelong VFL), Fergus Pinnuck, Marcus Wattie (CMFNL), Jayden Margo (Waratah), Sean Thompson (Numurkah), Mitchell Black (Katandra), Damon Carroll.
Outs: Charlie Di Stefano (Airport West)
FINISHING RANGE: 10TH-12TH
United was poor in 2022 and, while there is cause for optimism things will improve, it is tough to see the Demons finishing any higher than the bottom third of the league.
Hueston himself admitted United’s rebuild would take time. So while the Dees might start moving in the right direction this year, don’t expect that to mean they’ll move up the ladder right away.
10°C