In just over a year Avoca had transformed from a team in the depths of despair, to potential finalists and no one could deny the architect was Max Martin.
The senior and reserves player list was:
Ray Astbury, George Brown, Noel Barnes, Brian Beavis, Ken Beavis, Michael Carter, Ricky Carter, Michael Church, Bob Coghlan, Brian Coghlan, Brian Daly, Ian Drummond, Bob Crooks, Bob Eastman, Col Evans, Ron Field, Bruce Field, John Field, Damian Field, Graeme Field, Paul Gothard, Bob Humphrey, Neil Hamer, Terry Harris, Alf Hunter, Norm Harrison, Jon Howell, Noel Holland, Barry Hendy, John Jolly, Geoff Jolly, Maurice Jolly, Doug Joseph, Ray Joseph, Geoff Latch, Brian Lindsay, M Mellander, Charlie Marshall, Max Martin, Barry Morris, C Mitchell, Jim McKenzie, Trevor Pryse, N Parker, Peter Rafferty, Max Robertson, Frank Robson, Richard Schmidt, Cecil Tardrew, Harold Trainor, Bill Wardlaw, Trevor Wren, Len Williams, Frank Youren.
Meanwhile, Col Evans, another bloke about the same size as Max Martin, but considerably bigger around the girth, was also exerting his influence in the reserves side.
Despite being 36 years old, Evans was determined to prove that the best was yet to come, both for himself and his beloved team.
The home and away part of the season was a dream for Avoca.
Both the seniors and reserves finished second on the ladder.
However, top side Navarre cut the Bulldogs back to size in the second semi final, winning by 37 points.
SECOND SEMI FINAL
|
Avoca
|
2.2
|
5.3
|
5.5
|
7.11.53
|
|
Navarre
|
3.5
|
4.11
|
11.17
|
12.18.90
|
Avoca Goals: Bob Eastman 2, Max martin 2, Terry Harris 1, Bob Humphrey 1, Frank Robson 1.
Avoca Best: Ron Field, Len Williams, Bob Crooks, Brian Daly, Cecil Tardrew.
After leading at three quarter time in the Preliminary Final, Waubra’s experience proved too much, winning by nine points.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
|
Avoca
|
1.4
|
5.6
|
11.9
|
12.11.83
|
|
Waubra
|
2.5
|
8.10
|
9.10
|
13.14.92
|
Avoca Goals: N/A
Avoca Best: Terry Harris, Ron Field, Bruce Field, Frank Robson.
The reserves lost the second semi final to Beaufort by seven points, but easily accounted for Navarre, winning the preliminary final by 46 points.
The Grand Final is remembered as one of the Reserve’s great encounters.
Avoca started poorly and then kicked inaccurately for the second term. Trailing by nine points at the last change, both sides played their heart out in the final term, with Beaufort clinging on for a three point victory.
RESERVES GRAND FINAL
|
Avoca
|
0.2
|
2.8
|
3.8
|
6.9.45
|
|
Beaufort
|
4.3
|
4.3
|
5.5
|
7.6.48
|
Avoca Goals: Doug Joseph 2, Geoff Jolly 2, Neil Hamer 1, Brian Coghlan 1.
Avoca Best: Doug Joseph, Bob Crooks, Neil Hamer, Jim McKenzie, Col Evans, Barry Hendy.
The senior’s Best and Fairest was won by Ron Field, and the reserves best player was Col Evans.
Cecil Tardrew was voted Most Consistent in the seniors and Brian Lindsay in the Reserves.
Bruce Field and Alf Hunter received the senior coach’s award and Damian Field and Bill Wardlaw won the reserves trip to the VFL Grand Final.
Ray Joseph and Rob Astbury played in the Victorian Schoolboys Championships. Both were named amongst the best players.
go to 1962
