Travelling to Central Park Recreation Reserve to take on Shepparton East, the Lions proved the stronger side in the second half, coming from behind and then doing just enough to hold on by a single kick, stunning the Eagles with a 12.6 (78) to 11.6 (72) victory.
The win announces Stanhope as a serious finals contender in 2026, making the next step after finishing best of the rest in seventh last year and watching on in September.
It looked like it was going to be a cruisy Saturday afternoon for the home side early on, though, as the Eagles fired home five first quarter goals while restricting Stanhope to one, taking a 24-point lead into the first break.
But the Lions hit back in the second with a three-goal-to-two term, winning the quarter, although the margin still stood at 20 points as both sides entered the sheds at the main break, the Eagles ahead 7.4 (46) to 4.2 (26).
Whatever coach Matt Butler said to his charges in the rooms, though, clearly worked, as Stanhope stormed out of the sheds a different side in the third term, and produced a game-winning period of dominance.
Having kicked just four goals in the first half, the Lions scored seemingly at will in the third term, booting six goals to Shepp East’s one, turning a 20-point deficit into an 11-point lead by the final change, with the so-called premiership quarter proving decisive.
The Eagles responded to win the final term, booting 3.1 to Stanhope’s 2.2, but it wasn’t enough, with the Lions managing to hold on for the six-point victory in what could prove to be a season-defining triumph over a side that went 13-3 last season to end the home and away campaign in third.
Lior Smart was named Stanhope’s best in the win, booting two goals in the process, while recruits Tyler Norman (Kyabram thirds) and Jack Lefroy (Coburg VFL/Tatura) each booted a goal to also be named in the best.
Nathan O’Reilly, Oliver Silk and Brett Smith rounded out the most influential, while Amir Meyerowitz and coach Butler led the scoring with hauls of four and three, respectively.
The win moves Stanhope into fifth at the end of round five, level with both Longwood and Murchison-Toolamba ahead, all with a 3-1 record, while Shepparton East moves out of the top six into seventh on percentage with a 2-2 record.
Elsewhere in round five, Rushworth got its season rolling with a first win of the campaign, proving far too strong for Merrigum in a 26.12 (168) to 12.3 (75) drubbing, while Tallygaroopna added a second with a win over Undera, prevailing 17.8 (110) to 13.14 (92), and Longwood notched its third win in a 21.18 (144) to 14.10 (94) triumph over Violet Town.
At the top of the table, both Nagambie and Lancaster maintained their perfect records, the Lakers still sitting in first following a big 20.15 (135) to 7.5 (47) win over Girgarre, while Lancaster made it four on the trot with a 10.15 (75) to 6.10 (46) win over Avenel.
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