Lions roar to perfect flag

“It’s a fantastic effort, obviously, to go through undefeated,” Stanhope coach Troy Auld said.

“All credit to the boys for being so consistent and focused from week to week.”

Lachy King stole the show with five goals, taking out best-on-ground honours.

The neutral could easily identify the forward’s quality as he looked a threat every time the ball went inside 50.

The gathering crowd waited in expectation to hear the youngster be announced for the best-on.

One bystander even sarcastically uttered “guess who” just before the ground announcer called King’s name.

“He’s obviously a great talent,” Auld said.

“They (Tallygaroopna) were able to hold onto him in the second semi.

“I told him that I thought if he could get three or four goals for us, it would swing the game our way and he got five, so he did a fantastic job.”

King sparked Stanhope into life towards the end of the opening term, booting two majors, with one being a sublime snap from the pocket.

Cooper Ribbons also shone with his intercept game, taking several strong contested marks in the defensive 50.

From quarter-time, it was all one-way traffic.

Up 19-7 at the first change, Stanhope booted three goals to zip in the second period to suddenly lead by 26 at half-time.

King got in on the act in the second quarter and started the Lions’ scoring again in the third.

A quieter period saw only one goal kicked on each side.

Up 28 to start the fourth, Stanhope booted the first couple, at one stage pushing its lead to 41.

It was fitting King booted the side’s final major of the morning, strolling in to easily smash through his fifth as the Lions ran out 8.8 (56) to 3.2 (20) winners.