KDL | Gallery | Eagles run out easy winners, Stanhope issues warning to rivals

Played without any spectators, due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the round 15 contest was a scrappy affair as players adjusted to playing for the first time in more than a month.

The players — decked in eye-catching and superb guernseys as the league celebrated Indigenous Round — soon found their groove in the second term.

A total of 13 goals were kicked as play became more free-flowing, allowing Shepparton East to move the ball with sublime touch at times.

The hosts held a 15-point lead the main break and doubled that by the end of the third term.

Five goals up at three-quarter time, the Eagles ran away to record a comfortable 48-point win.

Ethan Moor was a standout, alongside Shannon Campbell and Zac Groombridge (three goals).

Matt Deledio was Girgarre's top performer in the loss.

Stanhope now holds the official title of comeback king after an incredible three-point triumph over Nagambie.

Down by five goals at the last break, Stanhope somehow discovered an extra gear to help it run over the top of the Lakers in the top-four clash.

The Lions, who clawed back against Violet Town in their recent outing, restricted the home side to a single behind in the awe-inspiring last term.

Stanhope co-coach Mark Patten said he was proud of the playing group to band together and register the 12.8 (80) to 10.17 (77) victory.

“It was very similar to the Violet Town game really. We knew the boys would fight it out,” Patten said.

“The players all play for one another, it's not something you can teach. The coaching staff are just super proud of the playing group, just the way they were able to play for each other.”

The Lakers dominated the majority of the game and will be left ruing the inaccurate 3.7 third term.

But with an abundance of belief — and help from 46-year-old Mark Adamson (three goals) — Stanhope defied the odds and upstaged the reigning premier.

“Nagambie are a super impressive team. I wouldn't go writing them off,” Patten said.

“Their ball-use was sublime, they held the upper hand for the first three quarters and probably could have put us away earlier.

“But ‘Grints’ (assistant coach Denis Grinton) sold a pretty good message at the last break and it just happened so quickly. It was a real ‘did that just happen?’ type of feeling.”

Craig Emmett and Jason Leocata, along with a "pivotal" last quarter from Daniel Flynn were the standouts for Stanhope.

It was a memorable day for Alec Young, with the classy operator celebrating game 100 for the club.

Jamason Daniels and Callum Tardrew enjoyed strong outings for the Lakers.

Murchison-Toolamba held off a fast-finishing Merrigum to record a thrilling five-point win.

Leading by 20 points at the final break, the Hoppers were able to hang on as Merrigum booted five of the last eight goals in the game.

Michael Watson and James Flynn (two goals) stood tall for the victors, while Rhys Shannon and Daniel Dryden performed strongly for the Bulldogs.

Dookie United has kept the door ajar on its finals chances with a rollicking win over Undera.

Kyle Tapscott banged home six majors, while Jack Threlfall starred in the 79-point win.

Elsewhere, an eight-goal haul from Travis Cooper delivered Tallygaroopna its second win of the season.

The Redlegs ran out big winners over Ardmona to the tune of 162 points.

Jarrod Byrne booted three goals and was best-on for the Redlegs.

Lancaster and Violet Town are scheduled to meet on Sunday afternoon.

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