When the game was there to win, the Lions grabbed a hold of the big moments and overcame minor premier Avenel 9.7 (61) to 6.14 (50).
Revenge was on the cards for the Lions following a five-point loss to the Swans in round 13 — and with that defeat perhaps on their minds — Stanhope brought the heat in the early stages at a packed-out Ironbark Stadium.
But it was in the second term when the Lions came alive.
Stanhope assumed control of the contest with four unanswered goals in the second quarter, while the Swans were left to rue missed opportunities as the Lions kicked clear.
Lions co-coach Dennis Grinton said his side’s tackling pressure and ability to capitalise on its scoring chances proved the difference in what was a qualifying arm wrestle.
“It’s obviously a great feeling to be into a prelim, but it wasn’t without a fight,” Grinton said.
“Our tackling toward the back-end of that last quarter and our second quarter effort gave us the opportunity to win the game.
“I thought their scoring opportunities in front of goal may have cost them ― that’s one of the things in finals footy you have to execute and I think we did that just a bit better today.”
Four behinds in the opening term, before another two in the second had the Swans well and truly behind the eight-ball as they entered half-time 22 points down.
But as all good sides do, Avenel rectified its lacklustre start and dragged its way back into the game after the break with three goals to Stanhope’s two.
The Swans replied with a goal almost from the centre bounce after the half, before a Jack Myers snap minutes later clawed Avenel back to within two goals.
“It’s an interesting one when you’re playing clubs who have been there (finals) a lot, they kind of find a way,” Grinton said.
“Full credit to them (Avenel), they did come back at us.
“But we were good enough to hold on and that was probably through our tackling pressure, we had some really high tackling numbers in that second half and we didn’t play our prettiest footy, we didn’t move the ball with fluency.
“It was just a good, tough old game of finals footy.”
Club stalwart and skipper Craig Emmett led the way for the Lions across half-back and was voted best-on-ground, while Tomas Rennie was dominant in Stanhope’s forward line and booted three important goals at crucial moments.
“Tom Rennie for his first final forward was absolutely outstanding,” Grinton said.
“Our whole back six, they’re hard to score against and that happens with a little bit of pressure up the field, but I thought they were outstanding to actually run and carry and break a few lines that we needed to.”
Despite taking a giant step closer to a spot in the big dance, Grinton said his side was well aware of the powerhouses around it that are presenting their grand final credentials.
“There’s six sides in it who can win it,” Grinton said.
“Anyone on their day can win it, but we’ve got the opportunity to have a week off now and reset, and then have a really good crack at winning a prelim final.”
On Sunday, Murchison-Toolamba booked itself a preliminary final date following a classy 27-point win over Lancaster.
Led by a gutsy four-goal effort from livewire Leigh Wellington, the Grasshoppers withstood a late charge from Lancaster to seal a memorable 15.5 (95) to 10.8 (68) win.
Adam MacGibbon was another standout for Murchison-Toolamba, while the Lloyd brothers, Aidan and Andrew, were sublime with two majors each.
Sam Vick and Brad Orr performed strongly for Lancaster.
The game wasn’t without its controversy.
Lancaster star Jake Mills booted four goals, three in the first quarter, before he was sent off due to a red card in the second term.
Mills was unable to return for the rest of the match and the Wombats were down to 17 on the field.
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