Players from all corners are putting pen to paper with teams in the region’s premier competition and Shepparton United has been by far the busiest of the lot.
The recruiting spree couldn’t have kicked off on a much better note for the side set to be led by Trent Freer and Jesse Cucinotta in 2025.
The first confirmed signing came in the form of Blake Fothergill, swapping from Nagambie of the Kyabram District League for top-level football.
Why not now, anyway?
After all, Fothergill comes into the league off the back of claiming a three-way share of the McNamara Medal as the 2024 KDL best-and-fairest during a standout campaign at the Lakers.
Having won a premiership in the red, black and white — and been judged best-on-ground while doing so — Fothergill arrives back at the club which progressed him through its junior ranks as a more than successful graduate of the Demons’ underage pathway.
If that wasn’t enough, however, the bombshell dropped Wednesday afternoon with news of no fewer than four additional signings.
Like Fothergill, midfielder Jaiden Swingler is familiar to the red and blue, having spent a year away following several reserves games for United in 2023 before returning to the area with the Army.
Continuing the theme of KDL recruits, the Demons also picked up full-forward Jack Luttick out of Rushworth, who contributed 17 goals in 11 senior appearances during the 2024 season.
Also seeking a challenge in the GVL’s higher standard is Murray Pattison, who dons familiar colours after splitting his youth football between United, Shepparton Notre and, most recently, after contributing 28 goals for the Shepparton East under-18s this year.
Rounding out the swathe of signatures is a long-range pull in Sam Barbuto, nicknamed ‘’The King’’, out of Maroochydore in the QAFL.
A midfielder who may bounce off half-back on occasion, Barbuto has been affiliated with Maroochydore throughout his career, but did find time to make a guest appearance for United’s reserves against Kyabram in round four last season.
Fellow Deakin Reserve tenant Shepparton has pulled off a huge homecoming of its own after luring high-performing export Matt Shannon back to the Goulburn Valley.
Shannon has stood out across a lengthy stint in the VFL, featuring for Carlton and Box Hill before stepping into the leadership group at Southport, where he helped the Sharks reach the 2024 grand final.
He’s enjoyed a previous run at the Bears alongside time spent at Tatura and Congupna in past years — and that’s not the only connection between Shepparton and the Murray premiers at the moment.
The Road has further bolstered its premiership squad with the arrival of key forward Charlie Mellington, who takes his first steps outside of the Shepparton umbrella after making his maiden senior appearances with a pair of caps late in the 2024 campaign.
Not to be forgotten by any stretch, Benalla has pulled off an interstate coup in its own right as the pieces continue to arrive in hopes of an improved 2025 showing.
The Saints have welcomed Queensland-based swingman Nathan Wright into the fold after spending the past four seasons playing regular senior football at QAFL outfit Labrador.
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