Make way for the Field`s!
Considering the vast number of brilliant footballers who have played for Avoca, it would take a brave man to nominate the family who has produced the best football talent.
However, there is no doubt that the Field family has had the biggest impact on the Avoca club.
In 1930, three Field`s, Ted Norm and cousin Syd, all played with Avoca Juniors.
Ted was 15 years old when first selected in the senior side in 1930.
Following a dispute, Norm joined Natte Yallock in 1932 and played in their Premiership side that year.
Ted remained at Avoca and was a member of the 1933 Runner Up side.
In 1934 he was persuaded to join his brother at Natte Yallock, and played in their Premiership side before returning to Avoca the following year.
After starting their football careers together, it was ironic that Norm and Ted lined up for opposing sides in the 1935 Grand Final.
Both were named as best players, but this time it was Ted who had the honour of playing in the Premiership team, after Avoca trounced Natte Yallock by 56 points.
Ted was also selected in the 1935 Pyrenees Association side and named as one of the best players.
His son`s Damian and Courtney, both played for Avoca in the 1960`s.
In 1961, Damian, who bore a striking resemblance to his father, won the Hans Ebeling encouragement award.
Hans, who played cricket for Australia and later became President of the Melbourne Cricket Club, lived in Avoca.
Keen to foster young sporting talent, he gave the football club a trip for two to the Grand Final.
It was a wonderful prize. Besides having the best seats in the MCG, the boys were also escorted into the winning team`s dressing rooms after the match.
Damian shared the prize with Bill Wardlaw.
In 1963, seven Field`s, all related, played senior football for Avoca.
Although Norman Field switched from Avoca to Natte Yallock in 1932, he returned to play with Avoca in 1944, when the club reformed.
In 1945, he was made Captain of the Avoca side, which was coached by Les `Pop` Williams, a former Ballarat League player.
At the end of the season Norm again left Avoca for Natte Yallock, where he was made Captain and continued to carve a remarkable career.
Twice he won the Maryborough District Association Best & Fairest awards in 1939 and 1947.
Norm was a ruckman, with tons of natural ability and a fierce determination. These are some of the qualities displayed by his sons over the years.
His eldest son Ron, first played senior football in 1959 and his remarkable career is detailed in chapter seven.
Bush Heroes Chapter 7 – Ron Field
Remarkably, at the age of only 15, 16 and 17, Ron Field was voted Best Player Under 20 years.
He was just 17 years old when he won Avoca`s Best & Fairest award in 1961.
Ron was cleared to Charlton in 1962, but returned to Avoca the following year and again won the club`s Best & Fairest award and was best player afield for the Lexton League team.
VFL club, St Kilda tried to entice him to Melbourne, but in 1964 Ron joined Maryborough and soon established a reputation as one of the best centre half backs in the Ballarat League.
In 1971 he won the Best & Fairest award for the North Central League.
Ron returned to Avoca in 1977 and again won the club`s top individual award, and capped of a brilliant career by repeating the effort in 1978.
In 1970, Navarre and Lexton League President, the late Ray Bibby, was asked to name Avoca`s best footballer ever.
Bibby, considered a shrewd judge, did not hesitate in nominating Ron Field.
Graham, or `Bluey`, first played for Avoca in 1959. He received three votes in the Lexton League Best & Fairest award, whilst his older brother Ron polled two.
It was the year that Beaufort rover David Norman won the award and later became a top player with Collingwood.
In 1964, aged 16, Bluey was selected at centre half back in the first semi final side which was defeated by Waubra.
Although he did not figure prominently in club awards, Graham was quickly snapped up by Maryborough.
Later he captained and coached Hepburn in the Clunes League, where he easily won the club Best & Fairest award.
Bluey, a redhead, had a perfect physique for football standing six feet, one inch, and bristled with muscles. He was one of the most determined footballers you would ever see.
Playing at Navarre in 1965, Bluey was set to shirt front Gerry Brennan, one of the home side`s best and most experienced footballers. But the brilliant Brennan appeared to blatantly avoid the collision.
Asked to explain during the drinks after the match, Brennan said, `Just as I was about to scoop up the ball I caught sight of Bluey’s face`.
`Fair Dinkum. I swear there was fire in his eyes and smoke belching out his ears. He looked like a bloody rhinoceros gone mad`.
Brennan, who made a name for himself in the VFL with South Melbourne, also had a reputation for handing out punishment, and concluded, `If that mad bastard had hit me, I reckon we`d all be going to a funeral on Mundy`.
Bluey was a finely tuned athlete who carried his body proudly, but one day it backfired badly.
Nearing the prime of his career he was enticed to play with Maryborough in the Ballarat League.
Psyched up and raring to go, Bluey prepared to run out onto the oval with the team.
As they jogged from the dressing room and approached the oval, he resembled a highly tuned trotter, lifting his knees almost to his chest.
All eyes were focused on this brilliantly confident athlete. But alas, as his foot hit the lushly grassed oval he slipped spectacularly, badly twisting his knee.
The sight of Bluey grimacing in pain brought trainers running from all directions, and the match had not even started.
Graham Field has a wonderful sense of humour, and tells that story superbly. But the fact is that knee injuries haunted him for the rest of his career, and despite intensive treatment, he never fully regained perfect fitness.
Typically he persevered and even won the Best & Fairest award in the Clunes League whilst coaching Hepburn Springs.
However, because of injuries, it was just a matter of time before a promising football career ended prematurely.
Bluey`s younger brother, Neville, was taller, thicker set and did not bother with the theatrics.
Nicknamed `Megsy`, he played his first game with Avoca in 1966.
He played mostly at Centre Half Forward until 1968, when he shared the ruck with Coach Ray Marshall.
Marshall, who previously played with Maryborough, is rated as one of the best ruckmen ever in the Ballarat League, and Megsy learnt well from his mentor.
By 1970, Neville was arguably the best ruckman in the Lexton League.
Renowned for his toughness, he was unofficially, the team`s `protector`. Despite that title, he won Avoca`s Best & Fairest player award in 1971.
In fact, the year is remembered for the `Field Trifecta` with Ron winning the best player award at Charlton, Graham taking out Hepburn’s award, and Neville with Avoca.
Richard, the youngest brother, gave notice that the family tradition would be kept alive when he won the Under 15`s Most Determined Player award in 1970.
Remarkably, he was only 14 when he won the Reserves Best & Fairest trophy in 1973.
Two years later he was selected at centre half back in Avoca’s first semi final side against Natte Bealiba.
In 1981 he finished third in the club`s top player award, only 4 votes behind the winner. This was an incredible effort, considering he had part of a kidney removed after sustaining an injury during the season.
Typically, he was back the following season wearing a protective brace, and again finished high up in the best player voting.
But the moment of glory arrived in 1983, when he effectively cemented his name in local football history, by winning the Lexton League`s Best & Fairest award. He also won the club equivalent.
In 1984 he left Avoca to play with Montrose, but returned in 1987.
Like his brothers before him, Richard had a fierce reputation and was reported twice in 1987. It was his last season.
Meanwhile the football career of Trevor Field, son of Barry, was just starting to blossom and he was selected in Lexton League sides in 1990, and 1991.
In 1992, he was Runner-Up in Avoca’s Best & Fairest Player award, and is now one of the club`s most reliable footballers.
More at bottom of page.
Barry`s sons, David and Paul have shown renowned Field determination.
Whilst Norm Field is justifiably proud of his sons and grand sons, his wife Alma received special recognition at the start of the 1982 season, when she was invited to unfurl the premiership pennant won by Avoca the previous year.
The final part of the Field family tree descended from Syd Field, who had three sons, Bruce, John and Ken.
Bruce and Ken were both tall players who preferred to play on the forward line, but often played in the ruck, whilst Ken was also selected a full back.
John’s build was more suited to roving.
Bruce, and John, along with another cousin Geoff Field, all made their debut with the Junior ranks in 1956.
Avoca`s side was mainly composed of young locals, and for three years the club finished bottom of the ladder.
Bruce Field finished runner-up in the goal kicking on three occasions. The players who beat him Barry Morris (1959) Jack Jacobs (1960) and Ian Goodchild (1962), were all very talented footballers.
However, Bruce earned his place in the club`s history by winning the Best & Fairest award in 1962, Best Clubman in 1963, and the goal kicking award in 1964.
He also served on the committee and was Senior Vice-President in 1965.
Ken first played with the Reserves team in 1963.
There is no doubt he had tons of potential.
However, he was conscripted into the Army, and later became a teacher, which limited his opportunities, although he was a top player with Swan Hill.
Ken returned to teach at Maryborough High School, and served the Avoca club as President over four years from 1974, and took on the duties of Treasurer in 1981 & 1982.
John Field was Captain of the Reserves in 1960 and winner of the Best & Fairest award in 1960 and 1962.
With Doug Joseph, John won the trip to the 1960 VFL Grand Final, donated by Hans Ebeling.
He was one of Avoca`s best players in the historic Reserves Premiership side, which defeated Beaufort by 14 points in 1962.
Although John never won Avoca`s senior Best & Fairest award, no one would dispute his fortitude, and appropriately he received a trophy for the most determined in 1966.
Aged 24, and still playing football, John took on the role of President in 1966.
He continued the dual role until 1969, when his leg was badly broken whilst playing against Moonambel.
John then added coaching to his responsibilities, and has the distinction of coaching three premiership teams, Reserves 1979, and Under 15 grade in 1973 & 1974.
There have been many loyal and dedicated servants of the Avoca Football Club, but none better than John Field.
As an official of the club spanning 27 years, his record of service stands unchallenged.
President – 10 years.
Secretary – 7 years.
Best Clubman – 1972 & 1973.
Premiership Coach – Reserves Grade 1979.
Premiership Coach – Under 15 Grade 1973 & 1974
An extremely modest man, he will be embarrassed to read these comments, but there is no denying he has been an inspiration to the Football Club and to the community.
In 1974 he was made a Life Member of the Avoca Football Club.
As a citizen, John Field is a fine example.
Simply, the man is unique.
The football career of John`s son, Chris, received a setback when he suffered a similar fate to his father.
After winning Avoca Reserves Best & fairest award in 1991, Chris broke his leg in a motor bike accident.
Julian Field, son of Bruce, has displayed outstanding potential with unique skills since first playing junior football in 1989.
He won many club awards and was five votes short winning the Lexton League Under 16 Best Player award in 1992, after missing six games because of commitments with the senior team.
He Captained the 1992 Under 16 Premiership side and easily won the club`s Best & Fairest award that grade.
His outstanding ability was recognised in 1991 and 1992, when he was selected in the Victorian School Boy Championships.
In May 1993, Julian played in the Teal Cup matches at Bendigo, and was amongst the best players.
And so the Field dynasty continues to thrive.
Trevor Field
The Avoca Football Netball Club wish to congratulate Trevor Field,who will be donning the Avoca Bulldogs Guernsey for the 600th time when Avoca play Newstead on June 16th 2018..
Trevor commenced playing with Avoca way back in 1982 with the Under 16 team and received the Best Under 13 player of that year. This was to be the start of an illustrious career with our club and thirty one years later he is still going strong and will play his 600th game this Saturday at the Avoca Public Park.
Trevor has been an outstanding contributor to the Avoca Bulldogs, both on the field and off the field. He can often be seen helping the juniors doing the tasks that a lot of people will not do. He has done the umpiring in all descriptions, Field, Goal or Boundary and will do the Running or wear the famous pink shirt of the Water Boy.
Then he dons the Guernsey and runs out to play in the Reserves these days and is still going strong.
Trevor has won numerous individual awards and also played in a number of premierships over the thirty six year journey.
He has won seven club Best & Fairest awards and been Runner Up on five occasions.
He has won two League Best & Fairest Awards. The Lexton Plains Senior Best & Fairest Award in 2001 and the MCDFNL Reserves Best & Fairest award in 2010.
He received the Peter Gellert Award in 1992 and the Maffescioni award in 2002 which were Lexton FL and Lexton Plains FL awards in which the opposition clubs vote on the best player.
He has also been selected to represent the LFL and LPFL on seven occasions.
Trevor played in four Senior Premierships in 1993, 96, 97 & 98 during the very successful 90’s era of the Avoca Bulldogs.
Trevor is held in high regard by everyone at the Avoca Football Netball Club and was awarded Life Membership in 2002 when he played his 300th game for the club. (We may have to give him another one as he has met the criteria twice.)
A big crowd is expected to be in attendance on Saturday with a number of his past team mates indicating that they are returning to watch him play his 600th game.
We congratulate Trevor and thank him for his ongoing service to our club and wish him well for his milestone game on Saturday.
Well done Baz!
