The Lions flexed their muscles against Tallygaroopna to record a 108-point drubbing and moved within grasp of the competition’s top-four in a game that coach Mark Adamson labelled as an “eight-point” match.
Under blue skies at Tallygaroopna, Stanhope’s back six gave Tally’s forward line serious demons as the visitors held the hosts goalless until the final term.
At the other end of the ground Rhys Smith was electric with eight majors, while he found support from Jake Rennie who chipped in with three.
Adamson said Smith had “been threatening” to kick a bag and was pleased to see him “start to put in strong performances”.
Nathan O’Reilly “stood out” in the middle with his “pressure and intensity” and was one Adamson praised in the wash-up of the 19.11 (125) to 2.5 (17) win.
It is win number five for Stanhope following two poor losses in the early rounds
“We seem to be hitting some form at the moment,” Adamson said.
“We’re playing well; players are getting settled in the side, some are getting match fit ... you put all those things together and it makes a difference.”
Violet Town outworked Girgarre 16.16 (112) to 10.8 (68) to chalk up its maiden victory of the campaign.
Towners coach Wally Armstrong put it down to “persistence” as his outfit, led by teenage sensation Sam Cox (four goals), ran over the top of Girgarre.
On-ballers Conor Daley and Andrew Padbury were the two standouts for the Towners in the memorable win.
“It’s great to get a win for the people behind the scenes at the footy club,” he said.
“We’ve been playing in patches this year and yesterday was again in patches ... we were down at quarter-time, but we made some adjustments. I felt we didn’t have a weak link and everyone contributed, it was a very good team performance. Now we’ll just keep pushing forward.”
Elsewhere, Lancaster shocked plenty of pundits with its comfortable 56-point win over previously unbeaten Nagambie.
Jake Mills was prolific with four majors, while Cam Simpson (two) and Noah Sewell gave strong contributions.
Lastly, Murchison-Toolamba has held off a gallant Avenel in the sole Sunday game.
In a high-scoring affair at Avenel, it was the visitor that came out on top to claim a 16.15 (111) to 12.13 (85) win.
Ash Cashion was best-on for the victor with two majors, while Braydon Avola (two) was his reliable self for the Swans.
Undera notched its second win of the campaign with a 27-point delight over Merrigum, while Shepparton East was far too strong for Longwood.
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