Sport
4 September, 2023
Big season for Oliver ends with best and fairest
A special season from Maryborough’s Oliver Cassidy was enough to see him win the Bendigo Junior Football League under 14s division two best and fairest by 10 votes. Cassidy polled 32 votes, polling in every game he played, as his season of leading...
A special season from Maryborough’s Oliver Cassidy was enough to see him win the Bendigo Junior Football League under 14s division two best and fairest by 10 votes.
Cassidy polled 32 votes, polling in every game he played, as his season of leading from the front helped propel the Magpies to a top two finish in the competition this season.
Playing predominantly across the midfield, while also spending time up forward, Cassidy finished the season as the leading goalkicker in the competition, scoring 39 goals at an average of three goals per game, while he has also been in the best players in all 13 games he has played.
Cassidy said he was thrilled to take individual honours.
“It feels great to win it. I thought it would be an interesting year being a top-age player and I felt I would be a chance to have a great year if I put in the hard work,” he said.
Cassidy was also quick to praise his teammates, saying that he loves to drive them to play at their best.
“I love to encourage the boys. For example, when I kick a goal, I love to get up and about. I try to make sure I get the boys talking in the midfield as well and win clearances,” he said.
“Sometimes I rotate into half-forward as well, so it’s a great credit to the midfielders that we’re able to win plenty of the ball to give the forwards chances.”
Dechlan Bridges also finished third in the best and fairest count, polling 17 votes of his own, and Cassidy was in awe of what he had achieved during the season.
“Dechlan also had an unbelievable year given it’s his first year playing proper footy and he also finished third in the goalkicking while playing at centre half back,” he said.
It’s been a big year for the Cassidy family, with father Marc and mother Alicia guiding Maryborough teams to finals, while sister Millie has also achieved great things by earning representative selection with the Bendigo Football Netball League at under 17 level.
For Oliver to join them in achieving highly, as well as being coached by his dad, was the cherry on top.
“We’ve had a great year, with Millie finishing runner-up in the club best and fairest, as well as mum and dad coaching their teams in the finals,” he said.
“Dad always pushes me to be the best I can, as well as all my teammates. The boys encourage each other.”
As for future plans? Oliver just prefers to focus on playing for the Magpies for the time being without worrying too much about what he might be able to achieve.
“I just want to play with my mates at Maryborough for the time being,” he said.
Maryborough’s under 14s lost their first final to South Bendigo on Sunday afternoon by 43 points, but have another chance when they play White Hills this week.