The mercurial Bill Gollop was appointed Coach in 1957. Although the big ruckman was nearing the twilight of his career, the appointment was fitting reward for 12 years of dedicated service.
Free of the pressures of coaching, Alan Streeter became an even better player.
The 27 year old was simply breathtaking, and an automatic selection in the Lexton League side.
Streeter became such a hot favourite to win the League’s Best player award, that SP bookmakers stopped taking bets before the season was half over.
Standing just five feet eight inches, the gutsy little rover was true to form and polled 29 ½ votes from 14 games, to create history by becoming the first Avoca footballer to win the Lexton league Best & Fairest award.
Unfortunately the season ended for Alan and Avoca the following week, when they lost the first semi final to Moonambel by 29 points.
FIRST SEMI FINAL
Avoca
|
3.3
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4.5
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6.5
|
8.10.58
|
Moonambel
|
1.10
|
2.16
|
5.20
|
10.27.87
|
Avoca Goals: Ian Grant 3, John Bowen 2, Len Williams 1, Kevin Ryan 1, Geoff Jolly 1.
Avoca’s Best: Bill Gollop, Bob Crooks, John Bowen, Alan Streeter, Dave Astbury, Ray Turner.
The Players List was: Bill Gollop, Alan Streeter, Geoff Jolly, Bob Crooks, John Bowen, Bob Currier, Charlie Marshall, Noel Joseph, Les Smith, Brian Beavis, Ray Turner, Kevin Harrison, Kevin Ryan, Ian Grant, Jack Hutchison, Frank Robson, Keith Atkinson, Len Williams, John Jolly, Alf Hunter, Barry Morris, Bill Prosser, Max Robertson, John Coghlan, P Ryan, Ern Streeter, Bruce Field, Col Evans, Kevin Lindsay, Norm Harrison, Keith Astbury Jnr, Gordon Johnson and Trevor Wren.
Alan Streeter easily won the club Best & Fairest award.
Ian Grant topped the goalkicking with 63 goals, whilst Noel Joseph and Dave Astbury were voted best in finals.
Charlie Marshall received the award for Best Under 20 and John Bowen for Most Consistent.
Jack Coghlan, who did everything from cooking hot dogs to rubbing players down, was voted Best Clubman.
Waubra enhanced their amazing finals record by winning the premiership.
go to 1958