INS: Jensen Dowling (Shepparton), Blake Fothergill (Nagambie), Kade Chalcraft (Geelong VFL), Seamus Whitzell (Shepparton East), Caidan Phillips (Shepparton Swans), Tom Bennett (Shepparton Swans), Jack Luttick (Rushworth), Sam Barbuto (Maroochydore), Jayedon Hexter (Murchison), Sam Lewis (Grovedale), Corey Reardon (Tallygaroopna), Connor Pattison (Shepparton East), Damon Zampaglione (Merrigum), Tom McInneny (Coleambally)
OUTS: Archie Lewis (Dookie United), Aaron Britten (Balwyn), Ed Adams (Grovedale), Patrick Thompson (Cobram), Fred Wilkinson (Old Ivanhoe)
It’s safe to say this is a historical year in waiting for Shepparton United.
As the organisation embarks on its 75th anniversary milestone, the footballing contingent seeks to emerge from the wilderness and back to the glory it knew in decades past.
In a timeframe embracing its rich heritage, the Demons have a significant overhaul taking place within their senior ranks as Jesse Cucinotta and Trent Freer take on co-coaching duties.
While its reserves can hold heads high as the only footballing outfit other than Echuca to lift a cup since the pandemic, success hasn’t come easily at the top.
Buoyed by history, could 2025 be the time to climb?
“We understand there’s a challenge ahead, but the best part is we’re not scared of it,” Freer said.
“We’ll demand respect and play a very good brand of football.
“We’re going to make clubs realise we’re not a pushover anymore, and as a proud club, we won’t accept any less.
“Everyone wants to win a premiership, but we’d love to finish in the finals and hopefully win more than we lose.
“We’ll approach every day by its merits, and we’ll go in with intent to win every game we play.”
If at all possible, though, those in charge would rather not have to wait out the traditional rebuild window to reap some rewards.
“People talk about five-year plans, but we’re not putting a timeframe on it,” Freer said.
“The impact of these changes is now, and the boys have done a mountain of training on-field as well as off-field with our mindset.
“We’re looking forward to the intra-clubs and the practice games, so we want to make sure we’re not wasting our time.
“We want to make our time now, not five years down the track.”
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