While roadrunners are flightless birds the 15-and-under Tallygaroopna team flew away with a flag.
Tallygaroopna faced a roaring Stanhope side in the decider of the Kyabram District League 15-and-under netball competition.
The Redlegs hit the ground running and finished the grand final eight goals clear of the Lions.
Coach Cienna Haiden could not have been prouder of her team, especially best-on medallist Lia Giles, who played through injury.
“(It feels) very, very, very good to win,” Haiden said.
“We’ve got mostly a young team, they’ve just come up from under-13s, so very proud of them.
“They worked their butts off. They wanted it enough, so that’s what you get when you work hard.
“In the last few finals, that’s (getting off to a quick start) what we’ve focused on.
“To start first, start hard and to give 110 per cent and then each quarter go back to zero zero and then go again.
“(Lia Giles) She played really well. She’s actually got a broken wrist. She broke it last weekend in our game against Dookie.
“She’s got a lot to live up to and she’s definitely getting there. For sure, she’ll get there and even further.
“The club rooms will be rocking tonight.”
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On the ball: Stanhope’s Matilda Schubach looks for a pass. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 5
Eyes up: Lia Giles on the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 5
Finding space: Ellie Sidebottom looks for a teammate. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 5
Go around: Stanhope’s Melia Child looks for a way past the Tallygaroopna defence. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 5
Overheads: Lynn Rutten mid-pass. Photo by Rechelle ZammitWhile the weather heated up at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, so did the action on court.
The Redlegs got off to a fast start.
Stanhope’s goal attack, Matilda Schubach, kept her side in the game with her accuracy in front of goal.
Lia Giles was a wall in defence for Tallygaroopna, limiting the chances the Lions got.
At half-time the Redlegs led by six goals.
Tallygaroopna scored the second half’s first goal, but the tide swung in Stanhope’s favour as the side scored several goals in a row.
Lily Cooney stemmed the flow with three straight goals.
The premiership quarter ended with Tallygaroopna in front by nine despite the Stanhope pressure.
The fourth quarter was the closest of the game, but the Redlegs’ early success proved the difference as they claimed the match by eight goals, 19 to 27, to win the premiership.