Riverina Football League
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A QUICK start was all Wagga Tigers needed to win a third-straight under 17 premiership.
The Tigers kicked the first two goals and six of the first eight before running out comfortable winners over Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.
Trailing by 21 points at the first break the Goannas started to get more of the ball in the second term but couldn't find enough inroads in the forward 50.
At the other end the Tigers pounced on their opportunities to extend their lead at the long break.
Tigers co-coach Matt Noonan paid credit to the effort in the opening stages that really laid a great platform in the 49-point win.
"That was the main thing and the first quarter can make a big difference," he said.
"The boys really worked hard after that, but it was probably that initial spurt that got them the start.
"The boys played a good brand of footy for most of the game and that helped them get there.
"They wore them down and were able to demoralise them a little bit to make them drop off a score easier."
The Tigers led by 26 points at half-time and only continued to assert their dominance in the third quarter.
Brady Morton kicked the first goal of the second half to take his personal tally to four before Samuel Lucas added another one for the Tigers moments later.
MCUE got one back through Zac Walgers before Sam McLay intercepted a Tigers pass on the forward 50.
McLay found Scott Barlin on the edge of the goal square before he slotted the goal to see the Goannas trail by 28.
However, MCUE wouldn't kick another goal for the game.
The Tigers kicked another three goals to end the third quarter.
Charlie Bance kicked the first before Callum Spoor was the beneficiary of a free kick after being caught high on the edge of the goal square.
Lucas's second just before three-quarter-time gave the Tigers a 46-point lead going into the last term.
Neither team managed to kick a goal in the last quarter as Wagga Tigers ran out 12.13 (85) to 5.6 (36) winners.
After MCUE went through the home and away series undefeated Wagga Tigers were able to turn the table on their rivals in the finals.
First through to the grand final after a 47-point win in the second semi-final before yesterday's 49-point win.
Buoyed by the return of Bance and Morton from first grade, Noonan paid credit to the bulk of the team that has been part of the under 17s all season.
Lachlan Myers was outside across the back line as was judged best on ground.
He was well supported down back by Carter Lovell and Brad Peacock.
Keeping its opponents to only five goals, the team's defensive effort was praised by Noonan, saying Wagga made it hard for the MCUE to find any momentum going forward.
"Our back line - as much as they didn't kick the scores - they kept them down and stopped the attack," he said.
"It think that was the catalyst for us getting it forward too, as we got a lot of rebound footy from the back line."
For MCUE Joss Walker and Stuart Carey were among its best while Jackson Sanbrook showed his versatility playing in a number of roles in the game.