Sport
28 December, 2023
2023: A look back through the sporting year
It was a memorable 2023 for so many reasons in sport, with sensational stories, personal achievements and a big merger taking hold in the town which proved to be talking points. January The long-awaited return of the Maryborough Gift kicked off the...
It was a memorable 2023 for so many reasons in sport, with sensational stories, personal achievements and a big merger taking hold in the town which proved to be talking points.
January
The long-awaited return of the Maryborough Gift kicked off the year, with the 160th edition finally run for the first time in three years. Chris Vi takes out the men’s gift, while Danielle Shaw is the women’s gift winner.
Country Week makes a return, with Maryborough’s junior cricketers having some success, as well as a return to the Kirton Shield for the first time since 2018.
Aidan Hare takes the opportunity of a lifetime to play state league football in the WAFL with Peel Thunder.
The month ends with an emotional victory for Carisbrook trainers Helen and Tim Mortlock, along with their bred pacer Double The Hunter, who secures the Central Victorian Pacing Championships after four generations of trying.
February
The month starts with Graeme Crossley celebrating 700 games for the Talbot Bowling Club, while Chris Thomson has a terrific run which culminates in qualification for the Victorian Open.
The under 14 girls have a terrific result in Country Week, securing their first win in the competition.
Dunolly Field and Game fights for its survival, while ex-local Lachlan Bond mixes it with the reigning premiers in match simulation at Geelong.
Talbot’s Matt Vernon and Highland’s Leanne Wallis are Champion of Champions for lawn bowls, while the Eight-Ball Country Cup carnival comes to Maryborough.
Ending February, Lucas Hurse earns selection to the Bendigo Pioneers squad.
March
A bombshell announcement hits The Addy news desk — Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park confirming that serious talks are underway to amalgamate for the 2024 season and beyond.
Local Cam Dunlop fights in his first professional fight, while Daisy Hill’s Beau Treloar is accepted into Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Program.
In lawn bowls, Highland sweeps the Saturday pennant in division one and two, while Dunolly Blue takes the midweek title.
In basketball, Brady Neill takes his ninth John Stringer MVP, while the women’s MVP is awarded to Maddy Egan.
Jake Lohmann is elevated into the Sandringham leadership group in the VFL.
Laanecoorie Dunolly’s Samit Gohil ends an absurd season of dominance by claiming the Ken Gibbs Medal. Gohil averaged 121.4 with the bat, and 9.5 with the ball, in a season many good judges call the best ever seen in the MDCA.
The month ends with Laane continuing their dominance with their win in the two-day grand final, while Carisbrook claims a second consecutive A reserve title.
April
Matthew Dellavedova plays his part, as the NBA veteran helps the Sacramento Kings end their playoff drought which stretched back to the 2006-07 season.
Carisbrook Lady Redbacks confirm their return to the Ballarat Football League Women’s competition, while the MCDFNL and BFNL seasons kick off.
The big news out of the opening round’s play is Maryborough Rovers taking their first win since round 3, 2021, thanks to a 51-point win over Avoca.
The month ends with more merger drama, with Navarre and Stawell’s CKS Swifts confirming that talks have been held. For now, the Hoppers remain as they are.
May
May begins with enormous news. Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park agrees to merge for the 2024 season and beyond.
On the court, Talbot breaks through for an emotional win — their first in 1435 days, when they defeat Campbells Creek.
Lexton’s James Herbertson takes the state drivers premiership, while Dellavedova confirms that he’ll return to Australia, signing with Melbourne United for two seasons.
Carisbrook play their first game in a refurbished Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, while Taj Bond joins Hurse at the Pioneers.
June
The month starts with the emotional final meeting between Royal Park and Maryborough Rovers. Many made the trek to Hedges Oval to see a thriller, with Rovers prevailing by a kick.
Dunolly kick off their 150th year celebrations by naming their best football team, while Maryborough duo Millie Cassidy and Ella Patten break through to earn selection to the 17 and under BFNL squad for the Netball Victoria Association Championships.
Former Adelaide and Melbourne footballer Bernie Vince puts on a show in a one-off appearance for Rovers, collecting 36 disposals and kicking eight goals in their 204-point win over Campbells Creek.
To end the month, Rovers are back in the news, as their merger with Royal Park officially has a name — the Maryborough Giants.
July
The month starts on a good note, with the Maryborough District Triathlon Club’s Jenny Barras taking home Triathlon Victoria’s Volunteer of the Year award.
Maldon are the first of three clubs to officially celebrate their 150th year, while Natte Bealiba also raise almost $3000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
It’s an emotional time for the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks, who celebrate their first win in two years thanks to their 14-point win over Bacchus Marsh.
Lachlan Morganti tries out for a spot on the Melbourne Renegades cricket team, just missing out.
Avoca — with their clubrooms repaired after the devastating 2021 floods — celebrate their 150th year to end July.
August
Golfers have an exciting opportunity to play off in a state championship close to home, with Talbot Golf Club holding the Trimax Victorian Sand Greens Championships.
Staying in Talbot, it’s an emotional week when the Hawks support Maddisyn Carroll, who is battling Friedreich’s Ataxia.
In Carisbrook, the clubrooms at the Carisbrook Recreation Reserve are officially opened by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett.
Dunolly celebrate their 150th year at the Dunolly Town Hall.
It was an emotional time for Maryborough Rovers and Royal Park, who marked their final home and away game as a club to finish their season. The Rovers’ netballers continue on at senior level, recording an emotional finals win.
Maryborough Soccer Club also record an emotional win after a taxing season, defeating Daylesford 2-1.
The month finishes with a third Magpie playing for the Bendigo Pioneers, with Kaian Constable making the squad.
September
Finals fever grips the town, with plenty of milestones also coming during this time.
Stacey Blair celebrates her 500th game for Avoca, while Bec Dewhirst and Sherriden Byrne also celebrate 400 games for Rovers and Carisbrook respectively. Later, Maree Bagley celebrates her 600th game, while Stephen Ross celebrates his 350th game of football for Natte Bealiba in a big month of milestones.
In Bendigo, Maryborough takes their first finals win in 13 years on the football field with the under 18s’ elimination final win.
Maryborough Harness Racing Club holds their first standalone Maryborough Gold Cup, while the Maryborough Giants appoint Damian Cupido to be their first football coach.
The MCDFNL best and fairest belongs to Trentham, with Joel Cowan and Jessica Walker taking home the Berry Powell and Nalder Tracey Medals respectively.
Two thrilling grand finals go the way of Harcourt in football and Avoca in netball, with the Lions winning by 11 points over Carisbrook, while the Bulldogs take a 12-goal victory over the Redbacks.
Annalyse Carroll is named as the Giants’ inaugural A grade netball coach.
Carisbrook announce their return to the MDCA A grade competition.
The month ends with Jack Ginnivan becoming a premiership player, with the Newstead local playing his part in Collingwood’s four-point win over Brisbane.
October
Sport shifts immediately to summer, with basketball, lawn bowls and cricket taking hold.
A slew of new recruits make their mark on the MDCA A grade competition. Notably, Luke Smith and Sergio Rosier make an instant impact at Laanecoorie Dunolly.
For the first time in four years, the Avoca Cup is run, with Crackerjack Prince taking out the main event.
Ginnivan is in the news again, with a sensational trade from the Pies to Hawthorn finalised.
Beaufort are finally back on the winners list for the first time since February 2022.
The Redwood Carnival makes its return, with Not As Promised taking an upset victory despite being a rank outsider.
November
The monthstarts with news that Lexton will change their jumper design for the 2024 season, reclaiming their old jumper that they used to wear in the Lexton Football League.
The first cricket grand final is played for the 2023/24 season, with Laanecoorie Dunolly too good for Clunes.
We were introduced to Colts Phelans’ new English recruit, Dave Robinson, while Talbot recruit decorated Central Highlands netballer Eleisha Phelps to be their new A grade coach.
December
Scott Quinlan takes over as Maryborough FNC president after Kelvin Noonan steps down from the role.
Maryborough Soccer Club outlines grand plans to finish the season, including the re-establishment of a futsal competition.
Beaufort’s Jack Smith and Joe Kingsbury sits down and discusses their time in the MDCA A grade competition from England.
Laanecoorie Dunolly take their second premiership of the 2023/24 season as they prove too good for Beaufort.
Peter Pascoe recounts 50 years of memories as he steps down from the Maryborough Harness Racing Club committee.
