When Ken Boots was appointed coach in 1951, it soon became obvious that the sleeping Bulldog was beginning to stir at last.
Twenty-eight year old Boots was recruited from Traralgon, but prior to that he was a star footballer with Glenelg in South Australia.
Boots, who was paid 170 pounds, or $340.00 for the season, came to Avoca with a huge reputation to live up to.
However, he quickly proved he was exactly the tonic the doctor had ordered. His experience, and vast talent, provided inspiration for Avoca’s youth, which suddenly blossomed like a wattle tree in the spring.
The players list included some of the club’s greatest footballers:
Kevin Harrison (Vice-Captain), Ivan Redpath, Brian Lindsay, Kevin Lindsay, Danny Blair, John Bowen, Trevor Wren, Murray Barker, K.V. (Kevin) Harrison, Noel Jess, Ken Large, Fred Stoddart, Jim McKenzie, John Coghlan, Bob Jolly, Col Walkley, Jack Lind, Fred Barker, Ken Bowen, John Schmidt, Bill Gollop, Frank Crowley, George Marshall, Barny Humphrey, Ern Streeter, Max Trainor, Alby Wright, and John Jolly.
From the bottom of the ladder the previous season, Avoca clawed its way to 12 victories and respectability.
However, the first semi final against Lexton proved the stumbling block for the 1951 season, with Avoca losing by 47 points.
FIRST SEMI FINAL
Lexton 12.17.89 to Avoca 5.12.42
Avoca Goals: John Bowen 3, Bill Gollop 1, John Schmidt 1.
Avoca Best: Kevin Lindsay, Bill Gollop, John Schmidt, Jim McKenzie, Jack Lind, Ken Boots.
Avoca’s first semi final team:
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B:
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Bob Jolly
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Noel Jess
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Jack Lind
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HB:
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Brian Lindsay
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Kevin Lindsay
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Danny Blair
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C:
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Trevor Wren
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Ken Boots
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John Schmidt
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HF:
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Ivan Redpath
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Murray Barker
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Col Walkley
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F:
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Jim McKenzie
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John Bowen
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John Jolly
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R/R:
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Bill Gollop
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Alby Wright
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Kevin Harrison
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19th:
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Ken Large
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20th: Ern Streeter
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Ken Boots won the Best & Fairest Award with 16 votes from Jim McKenzie who polled 10 votes.
Alby Wright kicked 24 goals to win the goal kicking from Noel Jess with 17 goals. And Robert and John Jolly with 16 goals.
Noel Jess was not only developing as a good footballer, he also proved his versatility by winning the quoit competition.
Meanwhile the amazing battle for supremacy between Navarre and Waubra continued, with Navarre scoring a four point victory over its rivals in the Grand Final.
Go to 1952
