By a margin of inches and seconds, Stanhope received the title of 2023 Kyabram District League C-grade netball champion after an unbelievable finish had it topple Tallygaroopna at the death.
On a cloudless and warm Saturday afternoon at Mooroopna, a pulsating and see-sawing final quarter of play featured a tenacious and almost instant six-goal comeback from the Redlegs, seeking a third club netball title across the day’s grand finals.
Up stepped goal attack Michaela Fisher with the game tied at 33 apiece, who converted a title-sealing shot with less than five seconds on the clock to deny the Redlegs the chance to complete a famous victory in overtime.
A vociferous, pro-Stanhope crowd was on hand for the club’s second grand final meeting with Tallygaroopna of the day, anxiously awaiting a better result after tough going in the 15-and-under.
The anxiety would permeate through the Lions faithful after Tallygaroopna, facing a 25-19 deficit at the final change following eight unanswered Stanhope goals, breathtakingly tied the game in seemingly the blink of an eye.
The scores would then be tied on a three further occasions in an action-packed and frenetic display of fourth-quarter finals netball before Fisher’s winner gave way to widespread jubilation on the bell.
“In the centre with 18 seconds left, we were pleading just to get it in there, a really good team effort at the end,” Stanhope coach Bec Schubach said post-match.
Lions goal defence Bianca Atley would be awarded the medal for best player in a thrilling decider, with Schubach offering more praise after the ceremony.
“Bianca is someone who gives 110 per cent every week, she’s a real leader,” Schubach said.
“She always comes through in the dying moments when you need her the most.
“I’m definitely exhausted just from freaking out on the bench, but we had a better outcome than last time.”
Indeed, Stanhope’s triumph could not have come as sweeter revenge, having been pipped by the Redlegs in a near-identical 34-33 heartbreaker in last year’s decider.
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Quick movement: Tallygaroopna's Deanne Hosie and Stanhope's Kara Canny. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Eyeing it up: Tallygaroopna's Ané Henderson prepares to shoot. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Plenty of cheer: Stanhope brought enormous support to Mooroopna. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Marshal: Stanhope's Bianca Atley takes possession. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Pressure act: Stanhope's Bianca Atley advances towards Tallygaroopna's Hannah Bilney. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Closely guarded: Stanhope's Hayley Trevena takes position for a shot. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Multitasking: Tallygaroopna's Kylie Merigan stands guard and issues instructions. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Meeting in the middle: Tallygaroopna's Liv Burgess and Stanhope's Amber Lunney ready to resume. Photo by Rechelle Zammit“We figured they would come out fighting (after three-quarter time) and get a couple of early goals back, so my nerves were shot,” Schubach said.
“It was an intense quarter and we really had to maintain our composure.
Schubach also acknowledged and paid tribute to the Lions’ roaring support across the contest.
“It took all nine in the squad today to get there, but we call the crowd our eighth player on the court because they’re just amazing.”