Gerard Darcy
After a dismal 1977 season, Avoca recruited strongly over the following summer, and amongst the new faces was a young footballer from Donald named Gerard Darcy.
Darc, as he was known to his team mates, came to Avoca with a big reputation to live up to. The Darcy Medal, for the Best Player in the North central League, was named after his father, Des.
Gerard was soon recognised as a fearless rover and nobody was surprised when he won the Most determined Player award at the end of the season.
But the best was yet to come.
In 1979 he played in Avoca`s Runner Up side, and was a member of the 1980 and 1981 `drought breaking` Premiership teams.
He finished the 1979 season with 52 goals, six behind the leader Geoff Drummond.
1981 was an even better season for Gerard, who was voted best player in the finals series and best afield in the Premiership side.
However, 1982 was the year that he individually carved a name for himself in the Club`s history, when he went on a spectacular goal kicking spree.
In one game against Moonambel, he booted an amazing 22 goals to set a club record that may stand forever.
The previous record was 16 goals shared by Jim Jess (1972) and his brother John Jess (1982).
Gerard also kicked individual tallies of 12 goals, nine goals (twice), and seven goals (twice).
He topped the Lexton League goal kicking for the season with 115 goals, which created a new club record for Avoca.
The previous record holders are all remembered as club champions;
1934 - Paddy Ryan Jnr. 59 goals
1953 - Ian Grant 89 goals
1969 - Brian Coghlan 99 goals.
During the five seasons he played with Avoca, Gerard Darcy kicked 274 goals, and was a crucial part of what is now remembered as one of the club`s most successful era`s ever.
