Season 1981
Seniors - Premiers
Reserves - 3rd
Under 16’s – 4th
Success breeds success, and Avoca approached the 1981 season convinced they had what it takes to win successive premierships, a feat that had eluded the club for more than half a century.
Despite the departure of Wayne Deledio, it seemed the Bulldogs could do no wrong.
Coach Ron Deledio was appointed to lead the Lexton League team, and Avoca players selected included Peter Drummond, Michael Spencer, Leon Bradley, John Vallance, Brendan Williams, David Edwards, Richard Field, Tony Wines and David Veitch.
L.F.L 6.5, 11.9, 19.14, 24.19.163
defeated Mt Noorat 1.3, 7.9, 7.10, 10.8.68
Dave Edwards & John Vallance both kicked 4 goals for L.F.L.
L.F.L 9.5.59 lost to Geelong.D.F.L 25.11.161
Ron Deledio, John Vallance, David Veitch and Julian Kaye (Lexton) represented a Victorian Country team in New Zealand.
Avoca finished the season on top of the ladder, but the Bulldogs had to dig deep to overcome a determined Natte Bealiba in the second semi final.
2nd Semi Final
|
Avoca
|
5.5
|
7.10
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9.12
|
14.17.101
|
|
Natte-Bealiba
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4.4
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7.7
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11.8
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14.10.94
|
Best: Brendan Williams, Ron Deledio, Robert Kemp, Gerard Darcy,
Peter Drummond.
Goals: David Edwards 3, Gerard Darcy 2, Adrian Coleman 2,
Brendan Williams 2, David Veitch 1, Mark Reeves 1,
Tony Falls 1, John Vallance 1, Wayde Thiele 1.
Avoca was never in danger against Lexton in the Grand Final, running out winners by 43 points.
Grand Final
|
Avoca
|
6.4
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12.8
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17.12
|
20.20.140
|
|
Lexton
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3.2
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5.6
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8.9
|
14.13.97
|
Best: Gerard Darcy, Peter Drummond, Brendan Williams,
John Vallance, Tony Wines.
Goals: Tony Wines 5, Brendan Williams 4, Gerard Darcy 3,
John Vallance 3, David Veitch 2, John Jess 1,
Wayde Thiele 1, David Edwards 1.
Avoca’s Reserves made it through to the Preliminary Final, but a six point deficit against Lexton cost them the opportunity to play in the Grand Final, whilst in the Under 16’s, Marnoo eliminated Avoca in the First semi final.
Reserves 2nd semi
|
Avoca
|
|
|
|
3.6.24
|
|
Natte- Bealiba
|
|
|
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13.10.88
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Best: Michael Barker, Greg Jess, Jack Wardlaw, Tony Lakey,
Brett Gilbey.
Goals: Daryl Wardlaw, Darren Curtis, Mick Hanns.
Reserves Preliminary Final
|
Avoca
|
|
|
|
8.7.55
|
|
Lexton
|
|
|
|
8.13.61
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Best: Rowan Astbury, Craig Trickey, Greg Jess, Shane Clohesy,
David Reeves.
Goals: David Reeves 2, Tony Lakey 2, Anthony Cudmore 2,
Jack Wardlaw 1, Kim Raven 1.
Under 16's 1st Semi Final
|
Avoca
|
|
|
|
6.7.43
|
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Marnoo
|
|
|
|
10.7.67
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Best: Peter Jolly, Craig Lallard, Dale Marshall, Steve Carey,
Bill Clohesy.
Goals: Scott Penrice 3, Paul Medwell 1, Peter Jolly 1, Bill Clohesy 1.
David Edwards polled 41 votes to win the club’s Best & Fairest Award.
Tony Wines was Runner Up and also won the club’s goal kicking award with 59 goals.
Mark Reeves received the Reserves Best Player award, with Rowan Astbury Runner Up.
Peter Jolly polled a massive 107 votes to win the Under 16’s Best & Fairest award from Anthony Cudmore, who received the Runner Up award.
For the second year in succession, Ross Dawson was presented with the Best Clubman award.
Go to 1982
