1930 – Runners Up
With their tails up and the club enjoying its most successful era ever, Avoca decided to join the Learmonth and District Association.
The motion was moved by Vice-President, J.J. (Joe) McDonald.
Office Bearers were:
President: Jack Jess. Two weeks after the Annual Meeting, Jack stood down and George Redpatch was appointed.
Secretary: A.T. Morrow – pro tem Keith McDonald.
Treasurer: A.B. Albinson.
The club appointed Len Maloney as Coach, and he was paid a weekly salary of 1 pound, or the equivalent of $2.00
By comparison, the field umpires were paid 21Pound and 9 shillings, and the bill for footballs was 7 pound and 1 shilling or $14.10.
1930 was the year that the 19th man was introduced.
The season ended in turmoil with allegations that Avoca’s final game of the season against Burumbeet was fixed.
Avoca kicked nine goals in the final quarter, edging Waubra out of fourth position on the ladder by just one percent.
Errol Howell, who kicked seven goals, was the star of the match.
The final ladder was:
|
Team
|
Points
|
Percentage
|
|
Beaufort
|
40
|
130.0
|
|
Lexton
|
36
|
99.6
|
|
Learmonth
|
32
|
123.8
|
|
Avoca
|
28
|
109.4
|
|
Waubra
|
28
|
108.4
|
|
Burrumbeet
|
16
|
52.3
|
Ironically the first semi final was played at Waubra and, needless to say, Avoca received a cool reception from the crowd.
Undeterred, Avoca beat Lexton by 20 points.
The Grand Final against Beaufort turned out to be a real thriller.
After being held scoreless in the first quarter and trailing by almost six goals, Avoca staged a gutsy comeback, eventually losing by just eight points.
GRAND FINAL
|
Beaufort
|
5.5
|
5.6
|
8.12
|
9.13.67
|
|
Avoca
|
0.0
|
3.8
|
4.9
|
8.11.59
|
Avoca’s goals: Norm Gleeson 2, George Harrison 2, Alec Webster 2, Roy Hellings 2.
Avoca’s Best: Bill Hill, Len Maloney, Norm Gleeson, John Bowen, George Harrison,
Charlie McCallum, Alan Hill, Bill Whitley, Keith McDonald, Ken Gane, Erroll Howell,
Roy Hellings, Alec Webster.
Avoca Juniors also lowered their colours, losing by just seven points against Lexton, but amongst Avoca’s ranks were several footballers who developed into some of the best players seen in the district:
L.G. (Laurie) Barker (Captain), Leon Redpath, Eddie Redpath, Jack Coghlan Junior, Jack Mockett, Len Harbour, Syd Kaye, Syd Field, Ted Field, Norm Field, Mal Myers, Jack Smith, Roy Romey, Keith Powers, Clem Hill, Vic Charlesworth, Frank Blair, Bob Gordon, Charlie Carlyon, Clive Kaye, Tony Jolly, Jack Ryan, Jack Charlesworth, R Gane and Claude Harrison.
Go to 1931
