Avoca pulled off what was regarded as a recruiting coup, when they signed former star Hawthorn rover, Peter O’Shea.
The club also secured the services of Ron Britten from Maryborough.
Both were outstanding acquisitions and played a vital role in Avoca’s continued resurgence.
Avoca’s senior & reserves list was:
Ray Marshall, Keith Chiswell, Ron Britten, Lance Farnsworth, Des Taggart, Gary McKenzie, John Field, Brian Coghlan, Terry Beavis, Bill Wardlaw, Ian Drummond, Neville Field, Damian Field, Frank Robson, Ken Field, Max Robertson, Ken Donaldson, Bill Constable, George Wardlaw, Brian Craven, Peter O’Shea, Rob Astbury, Bob Tutty, Stan Barker, Barry Burn, Geoff Anderson, Alf Hunter, Ron Verlin, Lindsay Harrison, Robert Crooks, Lyle Streeter, Bruce Farnsworth, Mick Lalor, Eddie Wardlaw, Pat Harrison and Ken Hall.
Controversy raged after the Lexton League vote count.
Although Navarre champion Henry Gunstone won the award by polling 21 votes, three votes to an unknown Avoca player was ruled invalid.
The unknown player carried number one, the same number worn by Avoca’s coach, Ray Marshall, who finished runner up with 20 votes, one behind Gunstone.
Whilst no-one would deny Henry Gunstone certainly deserved to win the League’s top award, the honour would also have been a fitting tribute to Bluey Marshall.
There is no doubt Marshall was a champion player with Avoca, and will always be remembered as one of football’s great bush heroes.
It seemed to be an era for Avoca Champions, with Brian Coghlan winning the Lexton league goal kicking with 74 goals.
Avoca stormed into the final series, taking on Navarre in the first semi final.
It is remembered as one of the toughest encounters ever, with Navarre’s Gerry Brennan and Avoca’s Bill Constable reported twice and Avoca’s Frank Robson booked once.
However, on the day Avoca won the fight and the football by 16 points.
The tribunal cleared Frank Robson, but Bill Constable was suspended, which proved a big loss to Avoca.
Two days before the preliminary final against Natte-Bealiba, injury ruled out Bill Wardlaw.
But the cruelest blow was delivered by the Army on the eve of the match, when they refused leave to rover Peter O’Shea and Full Back,
Ken Field.
Avoca was devastated, but to their credit, lost by only 16 points.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
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Avoca
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1.2
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3.3
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7.4
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12.5.77
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Natte-Bealiba
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3.1
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9.3
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12.3
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15.3.93
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Avoca Goals: Brian Coghlan 5, John Field 2, Max Robertson 2, Frank Robson 1, Ken Donaldson 1, Des Taggart 1.
Avoca Best: Ron Britten, Neville Field, Frank Robson, Keith Chiswell, Ray Marshall, Brian Craven, Brian Coghlan.
Peter O’Shea won the club Best & Fairest from Bluey Marshall and Brian Coghlan.
The Reserves Best & Fairest winner was Vivian “Mickey” Lalor, from Lindsay and Pat Harrison.
A tall skinny skid with a mop of long blonde hair, called Jimmy Jess, won the Under 15’s Best & Fairest award, with Dale Farnsworth Runner Up and Mark Drummond Best Under 13.
For the third consecutive year, Lexton beat Natte-Bealiba in the Grand Final, but the margin was just five points.
Avoca Netball Club
1968 was a significant and extremely memorable year for the Avoca Netball Club, with all sides finishing on top of the ladder after the home and away games, and then taking out all four premierships.
The results of the Grand Finals were:
Seniors: Avoca 23 defeated Natte-Bealiba 19
Reserves: Avoca 31 defeated Natte-Bealiba 13
Thirds: Avoca 16 defeated Natte-Bealiba 5
Fourths: Avoca 8 defeated Amphitheatre 3
The Office Bearers were:
President: Gwen Streeter
Vice-President: Teresa Rafferty
Secretary: Kath Martin
Treasurer: Vida Morton
It is unknown who coached the Seniors and Reserves, whilst Doreen Hunter coached the thirds and the fourths.
Captains were:
Seniors: Gwen Streeter
Reserves: Kath Martin
Thirds: Vicki Grant
Fourths: Kath Verlin
Club Awards
The seniors Best & Fairest winner was Wendy Robertson with her sister Jan Scott being Runner Up.
Kath Martin was the Reserves B & F from Loralie Evans.
The thirds Best and Fairest was Julie Eastman, with Glenda Evans Runner Up, and in the fourths, Kath Verlin was voted the best player from Lorna Pitcher.
Other award winners in arguably the club’s most memorable year included:
Julie Eastman: Most Improved
Roslyn Wardlaw: Most Consistent
Kath Martin: Best Club Woman.
go to 1969
