War clouds were looming over Europe in 1938, but football helped to bond the Australian community together and, for some time, helped our people forget the grim hungry years of the depression.
However, by the end of the season it was a vastly different story.
All football teams were becoming seriously depleted as young men joined the armed services.
Avoca was struggling to field a team as the finals approached.
The semi final against Amphitheatre was a nail biting affair, with Avoca scraping home by a solitary point.
Natte Yallock had also been affected by the threat of war and were no match for Avoca, losing the final by 49 points.
Paddy Ryan was virtually a team on his own, kicking 10 of Avoca’s 16 goals.
A second quarter lapse was costly for Avoca in the Grand Final. Lexton took the premiership with a 20 point victory.
GRAND FINAL
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Lexton
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1.2
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6.12
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8.17
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10.19.79
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Avoca
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2.6
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3.7
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6.8
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8.11.59
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Avoca Goals: Paddy Ryan 3, S Williamson 3, Lance McDonald 1, Fred Chapman 1.
The Players List:
Tim Healy (Captain), Clem Hill, Tony Jolly, Tom French, Eddie Redpath, Jim Carey, George Whitley, Roy Hellings, Jim Astbury, A Nicholson, Arthur Stuart, Syd Williamson, Norm Beavis, Fred Chapman, Isles Rhoda, Les Beavis, Les Pora, Bob Gordon, Jim Pryse, Bert Cargall, Bill Cudmore, Lance McDonald, Jim Whitley, K Payne, Paddy Ryan Jnr, T Thethowie, J Brach, Watty French, J.K. Bapty, Arthur Ford, Bernard Cudmore, Ian Harbour, and George Harrison.
Go to 1939
