[1] Although he grew up in Tasmania, he was playing at Victorian club Robinvale when Collingwood secured his services.
[2] In 1990, Collingwood ended up breaking their premiership drought and Shephard, having played only twice that year due to a loss of form and a broken arm,[3] returned to Tasmania.
He spent the 1991 season with the Burnie Hawks in the TFL Statewide League and returned to the AFL the following year, joining Brisbane.
Perhaps influenced by Shephard's debut performance, which had come against them, the Bears used the 65th selection of the national draft to pick him up.
[2] He continued playing football in Victoria and topped the goal-kicking for West Preston Lakeside on three occasions.