With the war drawing to an end and victory for the allies assured, servicemen were returning home to find a whole new generation of footballers had emerged.
The Lexton Football League was formed, with C.E. Giles elected President and A.E. Herbertson as Secretary.
The competition was comprised of six teams including Avoca, Amphitheatre, Moonambel, Lexton, Talbot and Waubra.
Avoca’s Office Bearers were:
President: George Jolly
Secretary: Harold Martin
Treasurer: Harold Martin
Former Ballarat League Player, Les (Pop) Williams, was appointed Coach, with Norm Field as Captain.
The Players list was:
Ron Driscoll, Les Beavis, Danny Blair, Leo Wright, Stan Beavis, Gordon Beavis, Frank Impey, Clarrie Barry, Ern Streeter, Eric Richards, Kevin Lindsay, Ron French, A Leerson, L Shanahan, Laurie French, Jack Groves, R Wright, Robert Reeves, C Wright, Bruce Harrison, Tom Wright, Tony Jolly, Laurie Barker, Les Farnsworth, R Fraser, George Evans, Colin Evans, Jack Joseph and Stan Elliot.
From 15 matches, Avoca won 10, and finished second on the ladder behind Moonambel.
Inaccurate kicking contributed to Avoca losing the second semi final to Moonambel by 29 points.
SECOND SEMI FINAL
Moonambel 11.9.75 to Avoca 5.16.46
Avoca Goals: George Harrison 3, Ron French 1, Les Williams 1.
Avoca Best: Kevin Lindsay, Ron Driscoll, Norm Field, Ern Streeter, Gordon Beavis, Danny Blair, R Fraser.
Lexton handed out a thrashing to Avoca in the Preliminary Final, winning by 82 points, and this time there were no excuses.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Lexton 18.22.130 to Avoca 5.18.48
Avoca Goals: Les Williams 3, George Harrison 1, Danny Blair 1.
Avoca Best: Col Evans, Norm Field, Leo Wright, Gordon Beavis, Danny Blair and R Fraser.
Lexton defeated Moonambel to win the inaugural premiership.
Les Williams was Avoca’s leading goalkicker with 42 goals, but, unfortunately, there is no record of other club awards.
The Junior players list was:
Athol Carey (Captain), Neil Youren, John Bowen, Fred Stoddart, John Schmidt, Arthur O’Shea, Kevin Harrison, John Jolly, Max Ellen, Jack Hutchison, Charlie Crowley, Jim Marshall, Don Studd, John Coghlan, Clive Trickey, and Fred Barker.
Go to 1946
