With the leadership of playing coach Shinea Sali, the Demons forced Echuca out of a week one double chance in the A-grade finals, defeating the Murray Bombers in round 17 of the GVL season.
It followed another underdog victory for the Demons against Tatura in round 16 - a loss that would be costly for the Bulldogs who missed out on finals altogether, squeezed out on the last match day of the home and away season.
“We didn’t have a lot of pressure going into the game, it was a bit of a mindset that we have nothing to lose,” Sali said upon reflection of the Echuca contest.
“Every player played at their best, and we had belief grow as the game went on - it felt like a bit of a grand final."
A stable weapon in wing attack, Sali helped shape the Demons’ goal scoring opportunities to lead to these two wins.
United’s 49 goals against the league’s number one defensive side Echuca is 14 more goals than the Murray Bombers conceded on average per game in 2026, while United’s 53 against fourth-best defensive side Tatura is 11 more than the Bulldogs conceded on average in 2026.
The Demons’ month finished off with an unusual big loss to Mansfield by 20 goals - Shepparton United lost by more than 10 on only two other occasions - but it did not take away from a stellar previous fortnight from Sali’s women in navy blue and red.
Sali will lead the Demons again in 2027, and states the hunger to feature in September will be backed by proof they can beat the comp’s best sides.
“I’ve signed on for another year which is exciting,” she said.
“It’s hard to come so close but not get there, but we have a bit of fire in the belly now.
“It came together really well at the right time of year, we were just a little too late in the end to make the jump.”
