The appointment of Alan Streeter as coach brought a breath of fresh air to the club.
Paid a salary of 300 pounds, or $600, he set an intense fitness program and drove himself as hard as he did the players.
Streeter played 45 games with Carlton before transferring to VFA club Oakleigh in 1951.
He won their Best & Fairest award and was also instrumental in their VFA premiership victory. Before joining Avoca, he played with Kyneton, Charlton and Donald.
The enthusiasm generated by Streeter was contagious and suddenly Avoca was back in finals contention.
The Senior players list was:
Alan Streeter, Bill Gollop vc, Geoff Jolly, John Bowen, Noel Joseph, Brian Lindsay, Jim McKenzie, Frank Robson, Ray Astbury, Kevin Harrison, Ray Turner, Trevor Wren, John Schiell, Gordon Johnson, John Holly, Ian Grant, Trevor Harrison, Clive Trickey, Brian Beavis, Laurence Curtis, Len Williams, Fred Barker, Ivan Redpath, Charlie Crowley, Jack Hutchison, Ern Streeter, Jock McDougall, Dave Astbury, Col Evans, Laurence Barker, Bill Prosser.
The junior players were: Charlie Marshall, Doug Wynn, Hugh Ponsford, Tony Jolly, Bill Blair, Bruce Field, Norm Harrison, Greg Romey, Ed Morris, Geoff Field, John Chapman, Peter Chapman, Barry Field, Graeme Astbury, John Field, Des Williams, Brian Squires, Max Robertson, D Tasker.
It seemed as though Ian Grant had found the fountain of youth. Despite his years he turned on several remarkable performances in the goal square.
On 28 April, 1956, he booted 12 goals against Amphitheatre to equal a record set by the great Paddy Ryan Junior 22 years earlier.
On 7 July, 1956, he kicked 10 of Avoca’s 12 goals in a match against Beaufort.
For an encore, he then snared bags of nine goals twice, to top the leading goalkicking with 80 goals.
Seven Avoca players were selected in the Lexton League side: Alan Streeter, Jim McKenzie, Bill Gollop, Ian Grant, John Bowen, Kevin Harrison and John Jolly.
After finishing third on the ladder, Avoca faced up to Moonambel in the first semi final, and scored a convincing 26 point victory.
FIRST SEMI FINAL
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Avoca
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1.1
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5.6
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10.8
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12.13.85
|
|
Moonambel
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3.6
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4.7
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7.7
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8.11.59
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Avoca Goals: Ian Grant 7, John Jolly 2, Jock McDougall 2, John Schiell 1.
Avoca Best: Dave Astbury, Bill Gollop, Jim McKenzie, Ian Grant, Alan Streeter, John Bowen, John Jolly.
The preliminary final against Navarre was a remarkable game of football.
Avoca held their opponents goalless until half time.
Navarre then staged a stunning recovery in the third quarter, kicking five goals, and at the last change the margin was just six points.
Incredibly, both sides failed to score a goal in the final quarter, but Navarre booted five behinds compared to Avoca’s two behinds, giving Navarre a memorable nine point victory.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
|
Avoca
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1.3
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3.8
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5.9
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5.11.41
|
|
Navarre
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0.3
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0.9
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5.15
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5.20.50
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Avoca Goals: Ian Grant 1, Geoff Jolly 1, Noel Joseph 1, John Schiell 1, Jock McDougall 1.
Avoca Best: Dave Astbury, John Bowen, Kevin Harrison, Ray Turner, Trevor Wren, Noel Joseph, Frank Robson.
As a footnote, it can also be revealed that one of Avoca’s best players, Brian Lindsay, missed the crucial match because it clashed with a wedding.
The popular backman wanted to take his place in the side after the wedding, but was threatened with divorce.
Avoca’s Preliminary Final team:
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B:
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Trevor Wren
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Dave Astbury
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Frank Robson
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HB:
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Charlie Crowley
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John Bowen
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Col Evans
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C:
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Ray Astbury
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Kevin Harrison
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Ray Turner
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HF:
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Jim Mckenzie
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John Schiell
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John Jolly
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F:
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Geoff Jolly
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Ian Grant
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Jock McDougall
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R/R:
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Bill Gollop
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Noel Joseph
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Alan Streeter
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19th:
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Brian Beavis
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|
|
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20th:
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Len Williams
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|
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Veteran Ruckman, Bill Gollop, just pipped 21 year old John Jolly for the Best & Fairest Award, whilst Noel Joseph and Trevor Wren shared the trophy for best player in the finals.
Waubra won the premiership defeating Navarre by 10 points.
go to 1957
