General News
31 December, 2024
2024: The sporting year in review
It’s been a memorable year for sport in the Central Goldfields district. Let’s take a look back at 2024’s greatest hits.
January
The new year ushered in a new era for the Maryborough Gift, with both the men and women racing for the same $15,000 cash prize.
In the end, it would be Glen Waverley’s Cassandra Wang Lecouteur who would win the women’s 120 m event, while Lawson Power made the big trip from Frankston to secure the men’s gift.
There was success in junior Country Week, with the under 15s topping pool B in the McKenzie Cup, while the under 13s and the under 17s Kirton Shield team also performing well.
Some of Australia’s best cricketing talents also made their way to Maryborough, with the under 17s national championships played in the town.
In a Victorian first, lawn bowlers in the Goldfields Playing Area converged on the Highland Society for an all-in, charity themed round.
The MDCA played off for the Sharp Shield for the first time since COVID, taking a strong win over Grenville.
February
Natte Yallock Cricket Club celebrated their 50th year anniversary in February, while for MKM, it was an even bigger celebration, bringing up 90 years of cricket with a big celebration at Princes Park.
Keely Hare would join brother Aidan in signing with WAFL team Peel Thunder.
In mid-February, the MDCA made a winning return to Melbourne Country Week, taking two wins from four games.
Former tennis world number four Jelena Dokic would also make an appearance in Maryborough.
March
The start of March belonged to Highland in bowls, clean-sweeping the weekend and midweek pennants with three premierships.
It was a chaotic month for cricket, with a bombshell meeting seeing multiple MDCA executives resign, before reforming after the resignation of president Mark Allen.
Meantime, the Ken Gibbs Medal was won by Beaufort’s Lachlan Oddie, becoming a two-time winner of the award.
A thrilling A grade final sees Laane chase down Clunes’ 244 to take their fifth consecutive flag, while the Magpies don’t go home empty-handed, collecting the A reserve premiership.
April
Footy and netball returns, and it is a historic first outing for the Maryborough Giants against Talbot.
Matthew Dellavedova just misses out on a ring in the NBL, but would later earn a spot in the Paris Olympics.
Mia Schodde makes a big trip to Adelaide to compete in two national championships, performing well in finishing sixth.
Maryborough and Talbot Golf Clubs perform well in the Ballarat District Golf Association pennants, taking historic wins.
May
Dane Swan takes to the field for Natte Bealiba in a big day, as the Swans continued their spectacular start to the season.
There’s more job security for Cam McClure, with the big quick securing a three-year deal with the Victorian Cricket Team.
The Maryborough Football Netball Club were on their knees in a story which would eventually dominate the season.
A 258-point loss to Gisborne, followed by a record-breaking 333-point loss to Sandhurst, laid bare their player availability problems.
The club would begin to investigate moving leagues, or even the possibility of a merger.
A historic day for the Maryborough Soccer Club saw them play on Princes Park, while Dunolly opened new and improved netball courts — as would Campbells Creek during the season.
June
We lost a giant of Maryborough’s football history as June started, with former Richmond captain Ron Branton passing away at the age of 90.
Ella Patten and Darcy Wood performed well in interleague in netball and soccer respectively.
Talbot landed the service of former Richmond player Kayne Pettifer for a one-off game.
July
As July starts, Maryborough make their intentions clear — they submit a bid to join the MCDFNL for the 2025 season.
The Central Highlands Football League also looms as a background option for the Pies.
In the meantime, Primrose would celebrate the 40th anniversary of their final premiership.
A huge $1 million grant landed at Deledio Reserve, ending years of fighting for new facilities.
The month ends with the MCDFNL and Central Highlands rejecting Maryborough’s application to join, in a bitter blow for the Magpies.
August
Matthew Dellavedova and the Boomers secured a quarter-finals berth in Paris — his fourth Olympics, which comes to an end in overtime against Serbia.
Talbot ends a 15-year netball finals drought.
Stephen Ross breaks Natte’s games record.
In highly emotional scenes, Maryborough plays their final home game for the time being — the club set to go into recess for the 2025 season, with plenty of questions over their long-term future.
September
Footy and netty finals take hold, with Maryborough’s A reserve team taking an emotional first week finals win against Kangaroo Flat.
Talbot became the story of the MCDFNL finals as they charged into an A grade preliminary final, having gone winless from 2019 to 2022.
Highview College made school history by making the Pool B grand final of the Herald Sun Shield in what was a terrific first-up effort.
Maldon’s Damian Wust and Carisbrook’s Laura Hurse were winners of the Berry Powell Medal and Nalder Tracey Trophy respectively.
The month belonged to Natte Bealiba in football and Avoca in netball, with both teams taking dominant premiership wins.
Natte cruises to a 79-point win over Trentham on the field, while Avoca are equally dominant with a 26-goal win over the Swans on the court.
It was a year to remember for Kai Lohmann, with the Brisbane Lions high-flyer securing third in the Rising Star, before making an even bigger name for himself with four goals in the grand final as the Lions end a 21-year premiership drought.
Three of Lohmann’s goals would come in the first half as he emerged as a Norm Smith Medal threat.
October
The Maryborough Horse and Pony Club celebrated after they were awarded Club of the Year for 2023.
Jake Stringer secured a dramatic last-minute trade from Essendon to the GWS Giants for 2025.
New Zealand’s Any Luck is the winner of the Avoca Cup, while harness racing’s big day, the Redwood Carnival, sees Keayang Zahara take the Victoria Trotters Derby final, while Vytis would be the Redwood winner.
Maryborough Football Netball Club officially goes into recess for the first time in 80 years, but a taskforce is set up as the club looks to make a return in 2026.
November
More celebrations are in order for the Maryborough Horse and Pony Club, with Lisa Streeter claiming a national award.
Schodde’s terrific athletics year continues, earning selection to the Colgate Games for 2025.
The Pyrenees Petanque Club celebrated 30 years in operation.
Maryborough Blazers finish the season well in men’s and women’s, but fall short of finals.
Harrison Kurzke readies himself for the trip of a lifetime as he signs for Claverham Cricket Club in England.
December
The MDCA and Grenville played off for the Sharp Shield again, and it is the same result, with the MDCA winning by seven wickets.
The Maryborough and District Motorcycle Club gets a big boost as they reopen after regaining their license.
Laane takes their first flag of the 2024/25 season after a terrific one-day final.
Paige Scott makes a move, going from Essendon to Richmond after the AFLW season.
And so brings an end to a 2024 full of drama, intrigue and excellent sporting action.
Friday will be my final paper here at The Addy. It’s been a wonderful two and a half years working here, and it means a lot to have represented your district as your sports journalist.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.
— Michael Thompson, sports journalist