‘It’s the people you get there with’: 200-game milestone awaits a Tallygaroopna mainstay

It’s been almost exclusively a one-track road for Montgomery, who was born and raised through the club as a result of the family’s long-standing association with the Redlegs.

Looking at how strongly tethered they remain through to now, “inextricable” is probably the word for Shae despite a brief detour just down the highway.

“I spent one year out to go to Congupna down the road, but other than that, I’ve been there since birth,” Montgomery said.

“I came back home when I felt comfortable, to be closer to family.

“My aunty is our A-grade coach and I’ve got cousins here, while my brother plays for the senior side, so I definitely have a close connection to Tally.

“I don’t know if I had much of a choice coming, with my dad having been there since day dot and being the senior games record holder.

“It’s definitely been a very big part of all our lives.”

One season at The Road and another lost to the pandemic aside, Montgomery has been a Redleg through and through, with a solid list of accomplishments since debuting in 2012 as a junior.

With the bulk of her games coming at youth levels, Montgomery claimed a premiership in the club’s maiden success at 15-and-under level before playing in flag-winning C-grade sides in 2019 and 2022.

In spite of claiming the three ultimate successes and playing more than a season’s worth of games in B-grade, though, she chose to highlight more personal experiences as the cornerstones of her time at the club.

“When I was 15, winning that premiership, I did that with my best mate Sienna,” Montgomery said.

“Eight years later, we got to play together again in B-grade, which meant a lot as she’s like a sister to me.

“In my 50th game, it was my aunty’s 300th on the same day, so to share those milestones was really special; that’s what really stands out for me.

“Winning premierships is probably what everyone’s main goal is and that’s a great feeling, but it’s the people you get there with who make it worthwhile.”

It was a remarkable way to kick-start Montgomery’s career, that early breakthrough premiership for the club’s 15-and-under cohort.

Her actual first foray into the red and blue dresses of Tallygaroopna gave birth to her netballing path in bizarre circumstances, though.

“I played my first game when I was 11 and I had to get approval from the league to play,” Montgomery said.

“They were low on numbers that day and needed fill-ins and I was tall for my age, so they allowed me to play.

“I was in a centre bib that day and I still see pictures sometimes, but to do that now would be a joke in itself; goal keeper is very much my home now.

“It wasn’t until we had a couple of girls short in 15-and-under where my coach said I was a natural born defender, so I’ve spent the majority of my time down there since then.”

Understandably, Montgomery wasn’t short on people to express gratitude towards as the tight-knit family continues up the club’s games charts, with Shae now sitting 28th on Tallygaroopna’s netball list.

“I’ve had so many people within the club who have not only developed me as a netballer, but as a person,” Montgomery said.

“My mum and dad are my biggest supporters and my brother always makes sure to come over before going on to his own sport.

“I can’t put into words how much I appreciate the club and the friends I’ve made for life.”