Tallygaroopna etched its way on to the Kyabram District League C-grade trophy yet again on Saturday, as it snagged the 2022 premiership in one of the more enthralling games of netball in recent KDL history.
The heart-stopping win over Stanhope saw the Redlegs go back-to-back after its 2019 triumph, securing victory in what was their third grand final appearance in as many years.
Pure joy would come in the dying stages of the game for Tallygaroopna on Saturday, after the two sides could not be separated after an hour of play.
The excitement levels and the heart rates of many at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve steadily rose as a thrilling goal-for-goal contest only grew more intense as it entered extra time.
There were few more nervous than Redlegs coach Claudia Callagher, who said it had been one of the more stunning games she’d ever been a part of as a player or coach.
“In a game like that, in the wet with overtime, to get up by a goal is amazing, that game threw everything at us,” Callagher said.
“I can’t remember a game of netball like that that I’ve been a part of.”
With the score tied up at 31-31 at the midway point of extra-time, both sides returned to the court knowing the final five minutes would decide the premier.
But with neither willing to budge an inch, even extra-time would go down to the absolute wire, and a two-goal Tally lead was quickly erased to square it up again at 34-34.
When the game needed a hero, Redlegs shooter Ané Henderson, who celebrated her 100th game in the grand final, would make it a milestone to remember with a clutch goal with just seconds left that sealed the incredible win.
Callagher said a win of that proportion required everyone to do their bit on Saturday.
“Everybody helped, in the wet, everyone played their game today and went back to playing basic netball,” she said.
“They kept their cool, especially when Stanhope came back at us, credit to them, they’ve been a fantastic side all year.
“In that last little bit, our goal shooter Ané was so calm under pressure when everyone was screaming at her to shoot, she shot a long bomb and got a goal.
“I’m really proud of the girls to push through and win the way they did.”
Score
Tallygaroopna 35 d Stanhope 34