1879
A spirited rivalry developed between Avoca and Maryborough over the years, but their relations was seriously tested in 1879.
Playing at Maryborough on Saturday 8 July 1879, the match ended in a draw with one goal each.
However, Avoca expressed deep dissatisfaction at the manner in which they were treated.
The Maryborough men had expected to dispose of the visitors with little trouble and, when this was not accomplished, extra players joined the home side.
Five times during the match Avoca insisted that the umpire count the Maryborough players.
The sympathies of the crowd also upset Avoca, who claimed a rousing cheer greeted every Maryborough score, whilst any clever play by Avoca was hissed.
But the main complaint concerned the gate money.
Avoca had been promised one third and, although 400 people turned up, the visitors were offered only three shillings and six pence.
A prominent Maryborough resident sided with Avoca and, as the team left the ground, he handed the captain, J.B. Keenan, a guinea.
The first football fatility occurred in 1879 when Talbot youth Robert Crooks died after a match at Talbot.
The incident, and reports in local papers, caused great ill feeling between Avoca and Talbot.
The matter was resolved in court, and is detailed in chapter two.
From Chapter Two.
On July 15, 1879, the Avoca Mail reported the district's first football fatality.
It sparked a bitter row that ended in court. A precis of the article reads
"It is with very deep regret that we have to chronicle a most disastrous accident in connection with the football match that was played in Talbot on Saturday. It is not too much to say that the catastrophe has caused a widespread feeling of sorrow.
The Avoca players started away in high spirits, and from the good feeling that has always existed between the young men in both places an enjoyable games was expected. This anticipation was realised until a member of the Talbot team, a youth named Robert Crooks, received a heavy fall which rendered him insensible, and in that state he had to be carried home.
The game was no further proceeded with, and before the Avoca team left they heard that Mr. Crooks was somewhat better."
"On Sunday, however, a messenger arrived with the news that the youth had died that morning".
"Several accounts are given on the manner of which the accident occurred, but all agree that no one person is to blame, if blame not be incurred by all who play so rough and dangerous a game. It appears that one of the Avoca team, J.O'Farrell, had possession of the ball, which the deceased tried to get from him by a rush and a spring, and that the deceased then fell heavily upon his head causing concussion of the brain."
"We also hear that another member of the Talbot Team, named Henderson, also had his collarbone broken during the match."
However, the Talbot Newspaper was not impressed with its contemporary's version of the fatal incident, and retaliated;
"Just before the termination of the game, one Avoca player, twice the weight of the Talbot lad, threw the youth, causing brutal violence to his head. The game was marked throughout by a roughness on the part of the visitors that we have not seen equal. The brutal and unnecessary attack on the deceased was the subject of adverse comment around the ground."
Needless to say, legal action followed.
Eventually, O'Farrell, who suffered enormously by the ordeal, was entirely exonerated from blame after the jury heard favourable evidence from relatives of the deceased and "trustworthy witnesses".
Incredibly, less than a month after the case was closed, the Maryborough Advertiser added fuel to the fire.
A story promoting a match between Avoca and Maryborough expressed the hope that a good central umpire would be appointed to control the game.
The report also suggested that "a surgeon should be in attendance, and that a few grave diggers and undertaker might be useful!"
go to 1890
