During that period, the reigning Kyabram District League
premier, based in a town of 500 people, 38 kilometres west of
Shepparton, has lost only nine matches. But earlier this year
Stanhope's reputation was called into question. During its
round-six game at Undera, star full-forward Aaron James was
reported for striking both an opponent and, following his send-off,
a spectator.
Cleared of the first charge, James was suspended for three
matches for the altercation with the spectator. Yet the matter
didn't end there. James' previous record included a 16-game ban for
threatening an umpire in 2006, while playing for Sunbury Kangaroos
in Riddell District League.
This meant his total number of matches missed through suspension
topped the 16-game threshold allowed by the VCFL. So he was
deregistered. On and off the field it was a big blow for Stanhope.
The former Collingwood, Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward had
kicked 61 goals in six games and the Lions were unbeaten. The whole
episode threatened to derail its campaign for another premiership.
But 10 weeks later, Stanhope remains atop the KDFL ladder.
Before yesterday's clash with third-placed Lancaster, the Lions
were still undefeated. Losing James has proven a galvanising force
for a proud club. Fuelled by a number of talented locals,
Stanhope's recent run of success began in 2003, when it won all 20
matches for the season, including the grand final against
Lancaster.
Under the guidance of semi-retired champion midfielder Mark
Patten, the Lions were beaten in the preliminary final in 2004,
before returning to the big one a year later. Having beaten
Tallygaroopna by 10 goals in the second semi-final, Stanhope was
favourite to win the flag. Instead, the Lions lost by a point.
In 2006, the club was out for revenge. Again it finished on top
of the ladder and cruised past its semi-final opponent. Yet,
remarkably, it lost once more, this time to Ardmona, by just two
points. The club had had a pair of grand final losses with a total
margin of less than a goal.
Last year, no one at Stanhope dared contemplate another loss.
Then James entered the fray.
The club's football manager Troy Auld, also an assistant coach
and talented midfielder, was desperate to ensure the Lions could
kick a winning score in the finals. He recruited James despite the
majority of the 16-match ban hanging over him.
With three games remaining last season — the minimum
required to qualify for the finals — the Melbourne-based burly
forward eventually made his Stanhope debut against Undera.
James, a fearsome sight with his shaved head and 120-kilogram
frame, immediately won over his new teammates and supporters,
booting 10 goals. He kicked another 27 in the following three weeks
as the Lions again charged into the grand final.
This time, there would be no heartbreak. James slotted through
six more goals and Stanhope finally celebrated after thrashing
Ardmona.
"It was like the monkey off the back," said committeeman Mick
West, an office manager at the local Fonterra dairy factory. "There
was a lot of pressure on everyone — players, coaches and
supporters. It was a relief more than anything."
The premiership was especially sweet for veteran Brenton Gray. A
product of the Stanhope juniors, Gray had previously played in
seven losing grand finals with Rochester, before returning home in
2005, only to lose two more.
This season began much as 2007 ended. James took up position in
the goalsquare and booted 57 goals in the first five games. But in
the background he was battling a number of personal issues. And
they bubbled to the surface when he was targeted by an Undera
supporter during the round-six match.
"His wife lost a baby because of a car accident earlier in the
year and that had a very adverse mental effect on him," said
Stanhope president Gavan Poole. "He was struggling outside of footy
and that day he just couldn't take it any more. He shouldn't have
done what he did but he was certainly provoked."
The 31-year-old's subsequent suspension and deregistration has
robbed Stanhope and the league of its biggest drawcard.
"There were a few of us pretty amazed there was the possibility
he could be deregistered," said Poole. "I honestly never knew
anything about that rule and I've been involved in the VCFL
administration for a very long time. It sort of hit me out of the
blue."
James has lodged an appeal with AFL Victoria, to be heard in the
next fortnight. If it fails, he cannot play for 12 months.
"He's seen professional people to help whatever the problem
was," Poole said. "He needed to do that to show he's getting back
on track.
"His problem was he couldn't keep his gob shut. It's nowhere
near as bad as a bloke who's got white-line fever and goes around
king-hitting blokes behind play. He's not that kind of bloke."
Even if James' appeal is rejected, Stanhope will remain
favourite to win its second consecutive flag. A week ago, the Lions
maintained their four-year unbeaten record at home by scrapping
their way past Avenel.
None of the players kicked more than two goals, reflecting the
change in game-style since their spearhead departed.
"That arrogance he displayed in the forward line, kicking heaps
of goals, was hard to replace," said Patten, who is the Lions'
longest-serving coach and now into his seventh season. "But he was
plan B when he came on board. We just started kicking long to
Aaron. So we've reverted back to plan A, which was running the ball
hard through the middle, streaming into the forward line."
Now the finals loom, and with the club's seniors, reserves and
under-18s all on top of their respective ladders, Stanhope may yet
end its tumultuous year with three premierships.
By Adam McNicol
Article first appeared The Sunday Age, August 10, 2008
Media Articles 
IN THE past five seasons the Stanhope Football Club has become
one of bush football's model organisations.
