The Demons, bolstered by ex-AFL star Michael Barlow, walked into Kyabram Recreation Reserve as underdogs for their round eight Goulburn Valley League clash, but exited the venue with four hard-fought premiership points to their name.
The Bombers and Demons entered the match following near-identical results prior to the bye – 100-point and 99-point wins respectively – so with each team high on confidence, the mid-table clash had the stakes of a ladder-leading blockbuster.
Kyabram burst out the blocks with two goals in less than two minutes, before Shepparton United stabilised and dominated forward half territory, only to kick six straight behinds before it found the middle.
The Demons issued another behind before Barlow set the away fans alight with a goal to hand a seven-point buffer to the visitors.
United coach Trent Freer said Barlow was given “licence” to roam and make his influence where he saw fit.
“You never waste that type of person and footballer when they’re available,” Freer said.
“We gave him licence in a couple positions and he had the freedom to decide where he would influence the game.
“We’ll welcome him back at any opportunity that he can play.”
Kyabram’s Anthony Depasquale pulled one back in the first term, but the Demons kept punching, and by quarter-time led by 11.
The Bombers snared a goal in the second term to make it a five-point half-time deficit, before taking the lead in the third.
However, United was hell-bent on taking a scalp.
Key forward Matthew Casey kicked two goals consecutively late in the third to hold a nine-point three-quarter time buffer, but the reigning premiers would throw the kitchen sink at the Demons in the last.
Star veteran Kaine Herbert snapped up a clutch goal in the fourth quarter, before Casey hit back for his fourth of the contest.
Young Kyabram gun Charlie Barnett found the middle about a minute later though, before a series of behinds were exchanged in the next few minutes of play.
Depasquale may have thought he kicked the sealer in red time, but the Demons hit back one final time, in addition to their array of points, securing a safe six-point advantage by full-time.
As the final siren sounded, a day of domination by Shepparton United was clinched with a marginal victory – but not that Freer minded with the 11.7 (73) to 10.19 (79) result.
“Everyone in the side played their role, obviously there’s those that have their individual brilliance, but even the guys who don’t get all the accolades did their part,” Freer said.
“Kyabram’s a great football team, so it was fantastic to come away with the win.
“Our midfielders had to fight and dig deep in the contest, but I felt we had them with our speed on the outside, it was what we thought our one wood would be coming into the match.
“We’re not a finished product yet by any stretch, but myself and Jesse (Cucinotta) have talked with the playing group that the connection will come.
“We knew there were cogs that would take time to click, but it’s starting to show now.
“I’m a proud coach at the moment.”
The Bombers will look to rebound against Mooroopna in round nine, while Shepparton United hosts Benalla at Deakin Reserve on Saturday.
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