Sport
26 August, 2025
Maryborough hosts presentation night
The Maryborough Magpies hosted its Junior Presentation Night on Friday, with Hardy Heathcock, Cruz Stevens and Oliver Cassidy taking out the club’s best and fairests.
Held at the Maryborough Harness Racing Club, the presentations were a celebration of the efforts and achievements of the club’s future generation.
Heathcock finished an impressive 2025 campaign by winning the Under 12 best and fairest award ahead of runner-up Alfie Boyes.
Heathcock also played a role down the stretch for the Under 14s, who finished the home and away season in fourth and were knocked out in Sunday’s elimination final versus South Bendigo.
Speaking of the Under 14s, Stevens took home the best and fairest trophy after being named among the best players in every game he played for the Under 14s this season.
Stevens finished fourth in the league’s goal-kicking charts with 30 goals this season, closely behind Magpies teammate Ed Boyes in third with 33 goals.
Boyes was named most consistent, while Jack Smith finished as the runner-up best and fairest.
Cassidy stood out above the rest in the Under 16 best and fairest count, winning the award ahead of runner-up Aiden Collicoat.
It’s another accolade to the collection for Cassidy, who won the Bendigo Junior Football League (BJFL) under 14s division two best and fairest in 2023 and was selected to the BJFL under 15 interleague squad last season.
Cassidy led by example as team captain, named in the Magpies’ best on 13 separate occasions while kicking 33 goals for the season, including eight against South Bendigo in round seven.
“We are proud of not only this year’s trophy winners but the entire playing group for an outstanding season and the way they represented our club both on and off the field,” club president Glen Bardsley said.
“Providing an opportunity for our juniors to play footy is what is driving us. Plus, we’re committed to keeping the Maryborough Football and Netball Club and its 150 plus year legacy alive.
“To help us achieve this, in the coming weeks we’ll announce our 2026 coaching team — a group of individuals who are passionate about footy, are committed to nurturing player development and want to inspire and develop our next generation of footballers.”