Eagle outmarked two Shepparton defenders for the first of back-to-back goals before quarter-time — the second courtesy of a brilliant pass from Shannon Campbell.

Campbell (two goals) produced one of his best games in several seasons and looks set to be one of the major beneficiaries of Eagle’s return.

Eagle was outstanding in the second term, in particular, and made the most of Shaun Huy’s increasingly good work in the middle to repeatedly monster debutant Zach McKinnis in marking contests.

But Eagle’s goal-kicking yips, a feature of his last season at United in 2010, returned in the second half and he did not add to his four majors — the fourth of which gave his side the lead for good.

His arrival freed Tim Looby up to start down back, where he has starred for former club Shepparton Swans and Goulburn Valley’s interleague team.

Looby looked at his best, though, once coach Marc Quarrell sent him forward after half-time.

There was a slight glitch in the Demons’ plan at the start of the third term, when Dwain Vidler gave away an undisciplined free kick against Bears newcomer Daryl Webb, who subsequently booted his second major.

United finally started breaking the shackles and only poor goal-kicking — it started the quarter with seven consecutive behinds — prevented it from running away with the match.

The Demons were 17 points up at three-quarter time, but Shepparton’s ex-AFL star Russell Robertson goaled inside the fourth term’s opening minute to give the Bears a sniff.

It was short-lived.

Huy, Shaun Makar and Ash Quinn, whose thumping left boot will be a major asset, took control of the midfield and United looked dangerous every time it entered its attacking 50m.

Looby took centre stage. He pierced some heavy traffic to squeeze through his second major.

Only a third Robertson major, courtesy of a Demons turnover, briefly interrupted the Looby show.

Looby slotted the next three goals: the first a trademark snap, the second he celebrated with an arm in the air as soon as it left his boot and the third when he inexplicably found himself on his own in the goalsquare.

Quarrell was pleased to get the first game out of the way.

‘‘It was a slow start, but full credit to them. Tim (Little)’s done a good job implementing their game style and he’s trying to work with the cattle he’s got,’’ Quarrell said.

‘‘It’s certainly not a pretty style of football, but it might ruffle a few feathers in a few sides and really frustrates the hell out of you.

‘‘They executed it pretty well for two-and-a-bit to three quarters.’’

Quarrell said his decision to swing Looby forward was about putting more pressure on Shepparton’s defence and providing a greater spark.

Bears playing coach Little — one of his side’s best — was proud of his players’ effort, but said a lack of experience found them wanting.

‘‘They’re a good side and they’ve got a lot of men playing, whereas we’re running with a few kids and we got found out in the last quarter,’’ Little said.

‘‘If we can keep that pressure on we can match it with a good side.

‘‘We showed tonight, in a pretty high-standard game, we can keep with a pretty good side, so I’m pretty happy with the way the boys applied themselves.’’

Rowan Hiscock was brilliant for Shepparton and won a mountain of the ball, as did Nick Allan, who also kicked two goals.

Former AFL defender Jonathan Hay was another key Bears contributor.