The sniff of success experienced the previous year made the club optimistic as the 1991 season approached.
The committee had no hesitation in re-appointing Michael Meade as coach.
Not only was he an outstanding footballer, but he was highly for his character and coaching ability.
Garry Nelson was also re-appointed as reserves coach, and John Veugelers took control of the Under 16’s.
The seniors and reserves players list was:
Michael Meade (Coach), Shane Jackson, Brendan Jolly, David Edwards, Trevor Field, Paul and David Wardlaw, Mick Arrowsmith, Geoff Waldron, Scott Howell, Peter Jolly, Tony James, Dean Jolly, Michael Coghlan, John Roberts, Robert Redpath, Warren Howell, Ian Fraser, Glenn Joynson, Gary Wardlaw, Michael Wardlaw, Dale Cole, Craig Jolly, David Field, Chris Field, Clinton Wilson, Russell Wardlaw, Robert Webb, Aaron McHoul, Lee Beavis, Brett Cole, Ron Beavis, Ashley Howell, Greg Brown, John Redpath, Doug Summers, Steven Beavis, Craig Drummond, Steve Carey, Danny Stone, Nathan Gane, Jim Beavis, Adrian Wren, Garry Williams, Phillip Dunne, Matthew Powers, Kris Sutton, Garry Nelson, Gerard Best, Paul Cocking, Scott Britnell and Brad Wardlaw.
To focus attention on an individual player who leaves the club often proves to be an open invitation for ridicule. However, few would dispute the exit of Craig Lallard was a severe blow.
Because of his employment, Craig, a painter, was forced to move interstate, but there is no doubt his heart and thoughts remain with Avoca.
Craig Lallard wil always be an “Avoca Boy”!
As he watched from afar in 1991, he would have been envious but pleased to see the Bulldogs chalk up, overall, one of the club’s best home and away season’s ever.
The Senior’s, Reserves and Under 16’s all finished second on the ladder.
It is easy to make excuses, but there is little doubt in normal circumstances, Avoca would have won the senior premiership.
The truth is that this year, Navarre was a ten goal better side and thoroughly deserved their success.
In fact, in the second semi final, Navarre defeated Avoca by 16 goals.
SECOND SEMI FINAL
|
Avoca
|
3.2
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3.2
|
3.3
|
5.6.36
|
|
Navarre
|
4.3
|
7.5
|
13.14
|
19.19.133
|
Avoca Goals: Glenn Joynson 3, Michael Coghlan 1, Robert Redpath 1.
Avoca Best: Glenn Joynson, Peter Jolly, Michael Meade, Paul Wardlaw, Warren Howell, David Edwards.
Despite the thrashing handed out in the second semi final, based on their form during the season Avoca was entitled to be confident about the Preliminary Final.
However, the match was simply disastrous.
After leading by 25 points at three quarter time, Avoca was then completely overrun by Lexton, who kicked eight goals and nine behinds in the last term, to win by 25 points.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
|
Avoca
|
6.1
|
9.2
|
14.4
|
15.9.99
|
|
Lexton
|
4.4
|
7.11
|
9.13
|
17.22.124
|
Avoca Goals: Robert Redpath 5, Shane Jackson 2, Mick Arrowsmith 2, Glenn Joynson 2, Dale Cole 2, David Edwards 1, Scott Howell 1.
Avoca Best: Michael Meade, Geoff Waldron, Gary Wardlaw. Paul Wardlaw, David Edwards, Tony James.
Remarkably, the saga was similar for the Reserves, losing the second semi final to Navarre by 10 points and then the Preliminary Final to Natte-Bealiba with a 15 point margin.
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL
Avoca 8.6.54 to Natte-Bealiba 8.15.69
Avoca Goals: Brendan Jolly 4, Russell Wardlaw 1, David Field 1, Steve Carey 1, Colin Jackson 1.
Avoca Best: Greg Brown, Brendan Jolly, Steve Carey, David Field, Kris Sutton, Aaron McHoul.
When the Under 16’s defeated Natte-Bealiba by 24 points on the second semi final, they were entitled to be confident for their Grand final encounter.
But on the day, Natte-Bealiba proved the better side, winning the premiership by 26 points
GRAND FINAL
Avoca 12.6.78 to Natte-Bealiba 16.8.104
Avoca Goals: Craig Jolly 6, Clint Latch 2, Paul Field 1, Sam Beavis 1, Julian Field 1, Glenn Claridge 1, Michael Wardlaw 1.
Avoca Best: Michael Wardlaw, Julian Field, Justin Impey, Wayne Crooks, Glenn Claridge, Craig Jolly.
Avoca also appeared out of luck in the Lexton League Best & Fairest Awards.
After missing six games with a broken ankle, Brendan Jolly was runner up in the Peter Smith Medal, just two votes behind the winner. Paul Campigli from Landsborough.
Brendan was also Runner Up in the club Best & Fairest, which was won by Shane Jackson.
Shane had his share of bad luck, finishing second by a margin of four votes in the Maffescioni Award.
However, Shane did win Avoca’s goal kicking award with 69 goals.
During the season, he kicked 12 goals against Dunolly, whilst Mick Arrowsmith kicked 10 in a match with Landsborough.
Shane also represented Avoca in the Lexton League side, together with Michael Meade, Trevor Field, Brendan Jolly and John Roberts.
Shane Jackson and Brendan Jolly were both amongst the best players in the Lexton Leagues win over Ararat & Districtrict Football Association.
Brad Wardlaw had the honour of being selected in the combined country Under 17 All Stars Side, whilst Michael Wardlaw, Julian Field and Craig Jolly were named for the Ballarat District in the Victorian Schoolboys Championships.
The Club Reserves Best & Fairest award was won by Chris Field, and the Under 16’s by Michael Wardlaw.
Twice during the season Craig Jolly booted bags of 10 goals, to finish the season with 50 goals in the Under 16’s.
A feature of the year was that a number of brothers played together in the senior side including:
Jolly: Brendan, Craig and Dean.
Wardlaw: Russell, Gary, Brad and Michael.
Field: Trevor & David
Howell: Scott and Warren
Beavis: Steve and Leigh
Meanwhile, Brendan Jolly’s distinguished service on and off the field was recognised when he was named Best Clubman.
go to 1992
