GVL | Gallery | Stanhope roars home late to clinch a thriller over Towners

Down by four goals at halftime and in front of a home crowd, Stanhope willed itself over the line to salute 14.11 (95) to 13.9 (87) in the round-13 encounter.

Violet Town superstar Josh Mellington had a day out with nine majors, while Jono Pearson was a shining light in attack for Stanhope with four.

Violet Town's Matt McCarty had a truckload of the ball and was the Towners’ best performer, while a high-flying grab from teammate Ryan Jennings had onlookers in disbelief.

“I thought Violet Town played a ripping game. But someone has to be a winner and someone has to be a loser and I'm glad we came away with the win,” Lions’ co-coach Denis Grinton said.

“It was a great game of footy. And it was great to be broadcast on the radio and great for all of our supporters.”

Mellington, fresh off reaching 100 goals last week, was the star of the show in the first half as the visitors caught the hosts off guard.

The former AFL talent kicked eight goals to halftime, with Staurt Trevena unable to restrict the sharpshooter's presence.

“Violet Town played an outstanding first half,” Grinton said.

“Josh Mellington was unstoppable, we had a plan for him, but we weren't executing it as good as we had liked.”

But a few swings of the magnets at the main break, along with a hair-raising message to "play for the jumper", got the ball rolling for Stanhope.

Talented onballer Chris Sanders was tasked with limiting Mellington's influence and it proved to be a masterstroke.

The forward could only add one more goal to his tally as the Lions cut off his supply.

“I thought we toughed it out in the midfield (after halftime) and got in back on our terms, they hurt us on outside with their spread,” Grinton said.

“I thought Jack (Cockroft) did a terrific shutdown role and Chris was easily best-afield.

“He started in the midfield, then we moved him down to Mellington where he kept him to one goal.

“Craig (Emmett) did a fantastic job in the midfield in the second half and Jono was sensational up forward.”

● Not even a Brownlow Medal winner was able to help Ardmona get over the line against Shepparton East.

Shane Crawford suited up for the Bush Cats in the 31.19 (205) to 4.3 (27) thumping.

It was the Ardmona coach's first appearance in the jumper this season, while RSN's Gareth Hall made a surprise appearance.

Nick Fichera kicked six goals for the Eagles, while Brandon Corish and Zac Groombridge were the top performers.

Elsewhere, Merrigum was able to shake off a plucky Undera outfit to record a 37-point win.

After trailing by three points at the first break, Merrigum bounced back to boot nine of the next 13 goals to run out 11.14 (80) to 6.7 (43) winners.

Jacob Martin was a standout with three goals, while Rhys Shannon and Rohan Hearn contributed strongly.

At Girgarre Recreation Reserve, Murchison-Toolamba enjoyed a 51-point triumph over the home side.

The Hoppers’ John Barnard was pivotal in the win, along with forward Aidan Lloyd (four goals).

It was a classy response from the Hoppers after their tough loss to Lancaster before the bye.

Lastly, Avenel and Nagambie continued on their winning ways with huge wins over Longwood and Rushworth respectively.

An eight-goal haul from Kasey Duncan spearheaded the Swans to its 26.25 (181) to 1.6 (12) drubbing over Longwood, while Todd Lawrence and Michael McKenzie stood out.

And Saturday belonged to Nagambie stalwart Jackson Hutton.

The four-time premiership player notched up his 300th appearance for the Lakers in their 230-point romp over the Tigers.

Hutton, a key-defender, turned back the clock to his junior days and booted five goals in the triumph.

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