In just two years, Max Martin had worked wonders at Avoca, lifting the club from the depths of despair. But Max was also a realist and, because of his training and career in sport he realized, better than anyone, that the life of a football coach is limited.
Max agreed to coach Avoca for one more year, and during the season, Max, Cecil Tardrew and Max Robertson were all selected in the Lexton League side.
The senior and reserves playing list was:
Rob Astbury, John Baglin, Ken Beavis, Kevin Bourke, Ricky Carter, Michael Church, Bob Crooks, Kelvin Charlesworth, John Chapman, Ian Drummond, Col Evans, Bruce, John and Ken Field, Damian Field, Charlie Field, Brian George, Paul Gothard, Ian Harvey, Norm Harrison, Neil Hamer, Barry Hendy, Jon Howell, Alf Hunter, Bill Innes, Doug and Ray Joseph, Geoff and John Jolly, Maurice Jolly, Bob latch, Barry Morris, Brian Lindsay, Max Martin, Charlie Marshall, M McArthur, Jim McKenzie, N Parker, Trevor Pryse, Geoff Powers, Frank Robson, Max Robertson, Cecil Tardrew, Harold Trainor, Bill and George Wardlaw, Len Williams and A Yates.
The Avoca seniors had a relatively good year, but had to be content with fifth spot.
However, the reserves had finished second on the ladder and were right on target for a premiership.
Reserves Coach, Col Evans, asked Max to wait until the Grand Final before announcing his resignation.
The team received a set back when Beaufort won the second semi final by just six points.
RESERVES 2ND SEMI FINAL
|
Avoca
|
2.5
|
2.5
|
3.6
|
4.7.31
|
|
Beaufort
|
1.2
|
2.4
|
4.5
|
5.7.37
|
Avoca Goals: N/A
Avoca Best: John Field, Ian Harvey, Neil Hamer, Ray Joseph, Ken Beavis, Col Evans.
Avoca’s confidence was restored in the preliminary final, with an effortless 53 point victory over Navarre.
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL
|
Avoca
|
1.0
|
5.5
|
8.6
|
11.9.75
|
|
Navarre
|
1.3
|
3.3
|
3.3
|
3.4.22
|
Avoca Goals: N/A
Avoca Best: Col Evans, Jim Mckenzie, Ken Beavis, Neil Hamer, Ray Joseph, Geoff Powers.
Starting the underdogs in the grand final, Avoca took the first quarter to settle down. By half time they were on top, and remained in control for a 14 point victory.
RESERVES GRAND FINAL
|
Avoca
|
0.0
|
3.5
|
5.8
|
6.11.47
|
|
Beaufort
|
2.3
|
2.3
|
3.3
|
5.3.33
|
Avoca Goals: N/A
Avoca Best: Jim McKenzie, Charlie Marshall, Col Evans, Doug Joseph, Michael Church, John Field, Bill Wardlaw.
While no credit can be taken away from reserves coach Col Evans, it should be acknowledged that the historic victory was also a personal triumph from Max Martin.
Bruce Field won the Senior Best & Fairest award, whilst his brother John took out the Reserves best player award.
Ian Drummond was Best Under 20, Frank Robson the Most Determined, and the coach’s trophies were won by Brian Lindsay and Bob Humphrey.
In the reserves, Ray Joseph and Brian Coghlan wee awarded Best Under 18.
Appropriately, the award for Best Clubman went to Max Martin.
Max remained on as a player in 1963, helping the club out when they were short in either grades.
Over the years, Max who now works with the Maryborough Advertiser, retained a genuine soft spot for Avoca and has followed the fortuned of the Bulldogs with great interest.
go to 1963
