Unfortunately Jarrod Simpson moved to Kalgoorlie for employment and was a big loss, but Jim Jess returned and a number of John Jess's, friends (Jim's brother) would join the club.
John, a detective at Ballarat had many contacts, and a number of the players who joined our club were ex Ballarat League stars. Phil and Dave Canny, Andrew Panther, Carl Symons, who was a former Henderson medalist, Malcolm Scott, who was a former AFL player with Fitzroy and Ballarat legend, Jim Jess also enticed Terry Smith who was a member of the 1980 Richmond Premiership team with Jim.
A recruiting coup was scored when Les Brennan was approached to join the club.
Les was approached a couple of years earlier, but could not be enticed to join on that occasion, but was successful this time around.
Les would win the L.F.L Best & Fairest award for the next 2 seasons, 1996,1997.
The 1996 team was an outstanding team, and the best part of it, was that all of the recruits played for next to nothing as they had all come out of retirement to have a bit of fun in a minor league and to help out a mate.
Some of these players played for the odd load of wood, which there was plenty of in the Avoca area.
Needless to say the L.F.L interleague team was made up of the majority of these players and the L.F.L thrashed the M.C.D.F.L by 15 goals.
Avoca defeated Natte in the Senior grade Grand Final by 26 points.
Malcolm Scott won the L.F.L goalkicking with 96 goals.
Les Brennan won the L.F.L Best & Fairest.
Avoca defeated Marnoo in the Reserves Grand Final by 14 points.
Wayne Lawes won the Reserves L.F.L Best & Fairest award for the 2nd time.
Seniors - Premiers
Reserves - Premiers
Under 16 - Runner Up
go to 1997
