The 1977 season started disastrously for Avoca.
On the eve of the first game, an appeal to win a clearance from St Arnaud for new coach, Kevin Adams, was refused.
Former Maryborough District League footballer, Bob :Fiddle” Evans, a Telecom technician, took over the reins.
Although Avoca finished fifth, the club continued with its policy to blood promising young players.
Geoff Drummond became the second Avoca footballer to win the Maffescioni award and was also the club’s leading goalkicker with 35 goals.
Former Avoca player and all time champion, Ron Field, returned home and won the club Best & Fairest award, edging out Geoff Drummond.
Other award winners included Dale Templeton, Michael Barker, Wayne Veitch Best Under 20, and Peter Drummond Best Under 18.
The Best Clubman award went to Kevin Matthews, who has continued to serve the club loyally over the years.
Following a count-back, Keith Johnson won the Reserves Best & fairest award from Bruce Farnsworth.
Keith was not so fortunate in the Lexton league equivalent, finishing runner up to Lexton’s Garry Sargent.
The Reserves season ended after losing the first semi final to Lexton by 24 points.
RESERVES FIRST SEMI FINAL
|
Avoca
|
1.0
|
4.1
|
7.1
|
9.4.58
|
|
Lexton
|
2.4
|
5.7
|
9.13
|
11.16.82
|
Avoca Goals: Keith Johnson 2, Wallace Constable 2, Leon Bradley 2, Daryl Stewart 1, Phil Dridan 1, Bruce Farnsworth 1.
Avoca Best: Robert Rayner, Mick Mahady, Leon Bradley, Greg Curtis, Greg Thompson, Keith Johnson.
Meanwhile it was a memorable year for the Under 15’s.
Coached by Jon Howell, the young Bulldogs were undefeated during the season, but had to come from behind to win the Grand Final, defeating Navarre by two points.
UNDER 15 GRAND FINAL
|
Avoca
|
0.2
|
3.3
|
5.7
|
8.8.56
|
|
Navarre
|
2.5
|
3.7
|
6.10
|
7.12.54
|
Avoca Goals: Paul Constable 4, Darren Curtis 3, Shane Clohesy 1.
Avoca Best: Wayde Thiele, Michael Coghlan, Paul Constable, Darren Curtis, Gary Stewart, Jack Dridan.
The Under 15 premiership players were:
Wallace Constable, Jack Dridan, Greg Jess, John Webb, Craig Trickey, Kevin Holland, Darren Curtis, Garry Stewart, Roger Jolly, John Rainford, Geoff Hunter, Wayde Thiele, Shane Clohesy, Graham Howell, Paul Constable, Rowan Astbury, David Edwards, Scott Penrice, Steven Hunter, Brendan Jolly, Gavin Clohesy, Peter Constable, Michael Coghlan, and Coach Jon Howell.
Paul Constable won the Under 15’s Best & Fairest award, with Rowan Astbury Runner Up.
Paul Constable kicked 14 out of the 24 goals scored during the final series.
In the seniors, Natte-Bealiba continued to be frustrated in its attempts to win a premiership, losing to Navarre by two points.
go to 1978
