Former Fremantle and Gold Coast midfielder Michael Barlow has linked up with for former local club Shepparton United for the 2026 Goulburn Valley Football League season.
Barlow, who has most recently plied his trade with North Warrnambool in the Hampden Football Netball League, will fill his commitments with the Demons while balancing his assistant coaching role at North Melbourne.
The 38-year-old last played for Shepparton United in 2023, returning to the club after his 141-game AFL career.
"This bloke needs no introduction. All of us at Shepparton United are proud and excited to announce that one of our favourite sons Michael Barlow will return to the Demons for the 2026 GVL season," a club post read.
"Mick will don the Red and Blue when free of his commitments as midfield coach at North Melbourne, returning to where his illustrious career began in our Thirds.
"Mick last played with us in 2023 and has spent the last two seasons with North Warrnambool FNC, where he won a flag in 2025.
"We are stoked to welcome Mick, Rily, Lonni and Eddie back to United and we cannot wait to see him cruising around Deakin Reserve in 2026."
Barlow spent nine seasons in the AFL, earning AFLPA Best First-Year Player honours after a breakout debut season with the Dockers.
That came a year after claiming the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal with Werribee in 2009.
Shepparton United's 2026 campaign gets underway on Friday, April 3, against the Shepparton Bears.
