The Wardlaw family`s association with the Avoca Football Club is remarkable, and the task of tracing their family tree is arduous to say the least, but fascinating.
Jack Wardlaw was the first to play in 1928, followed by his brother Jim in 1933.
The family became prominent again in club records at the end of the war years.
On 17 June 1944, the Avoca Free Press reported; “`Pat, George, Joe, and Sam are all likely material that has never been tried out. All are wiry, hard working lads and it will be very surprising if they do not make the grade`.
The Wardlaw`s have long been the largest farming family in the district.
Whilst their farms left little time for actually playing football, they all become good supporters and clubmen.
In the late 1960`s and 1970`s, Joe’s shearing shed was the venue for many social functions.
Joe was a huge easy-going man, notorious for his good sense of humour.
Several stories are still told about Joe officiating as Avoca’s timekeeper.
1966 had not been a good year for the bulldogs. Prior to the last game of the season, Avoca and Amphitheatre were on the bottom of the ladder with 8 points.
Avoca was desperate to avoid the Wooden Spoon, but had to defeat Landsborough, who were just 4 points outside the four.
Amphitheatre was given little chance against their opponents, Waubra.
Aided by a very strong wind Avoca came home gallantly in the final quarter. However, they were still 17 points down, as three minutes of time on was due to commence.
Eight frantic minutes later, as Avoca hit the front, the Landsborough timekeeper asked Joe how long before the siren. With a sheepish look on his face Joe checked the clock, and discovered that he had somehow forgotten to start it.
The siren was blown immediately, and Avoca were the winners by one point, avoiding the wooden spoon.
But fate deals a cruel blow.
Later that night in the Avoca Hotel, celebrations came to an abrupt halt when it was learnt that Amphitheatre had scored an upset victory over Waubra.
After percentages had been allocated Amphitheatre was just ahead of Avoca, who remained on the bottom of the ladder.
In 1969 Joe was the timekeeper involved in another controversy.
Again, it was the last game of the season, and Avoca had to defeat Amphitheatre to make the finals.
Joe was very good mates with the Amphitheatre timekeeper, Jim Rivett, and both were fond of a cold beer, or two, as they officiated.
When Avoca hit the front, about 18 minutes into a thrilling final quarter, the two timekeepers suddenly discovered, much to their horror that they had forgotten to start the clock.
Later, during an investigation, both men denied they were excited, confused, frantic, or that they panicked, but admitted they thought the only solution was to blow the siren as soon as they discovered their mistake.
The match was replayed, with Amphitheatre winning, thus denying Avoca fourth spot.
Joe`s two son`s, Barry and Neville, played with Avoca Reserves.
George Wardlaw Snr had four son’s, Bill, George Jnr, Eddie and Bob.
Bill first played with Avoca in 1960, aged 16.
The following year he shared the prestigious Hans Ebeling trophy with Damian Field, and watched the VFL Grand Final from the luxury of the committee room.
Bill was one of Avoca’s best players in Avoca Reserves historic 1962 Premiership victory over Beaufort.
In 1963 he finished second in the club’s Best Under 20 award, beaten only by Ron Field, regarded by many as Avoca`s greatest footballer.
Although he stood just 5 feet 10 inches, Bill developed into a close-checking half back flanker, with a knack for cutting some of the league`s best goal sneaks down to size.
In 1967 he was runner up in the club`s Best & Fairest award, beaten by Tom Passalick.
For 16 years Bill gave Avoca loyal service, and, although he played in the 1971 & 1972 Grand Final sides, the goal he coveted most, a senior premiership eluded him.
Bill`s three sons, Craig and twins Paul and David, have all played for Avoca.
Paul started with the Under 16’s in 1985 and proceeded to win a string of awards in all grades.
In 1989 he had the honour of captaining Avoca’s under 16 Premiership side.
Besides playing in the Reserves Runner up side in 1990, Paul was also voted the Best First Year Player in the Seniors.
His football talent was recognised by his peers in 1992 when he was selected in the Lexton Football League side.
David started with the Under 16’s in 1986 and was a member of the Bulldogs Premiership side in 1989.
Whilst he may not have tonnes of natural ability, David is a real trier on and off the field, and he is admired greatly around the club for his willingness to lend a hand.
Remarkably, George Wardlaw Junior was only 12 when he made his debut with Avoca Reserves in 1963, and he also played four games with the Seniors at the tender age of 13.
In 1964, he was Captain of the Under 15`s and also won the Best & Fairest award.
Aged 16, he was voted Best Senior Player Under 20 in 1966 and won the award again in 1968.
Standing 5 feet, 9 inches, George, a left footer, was renowned for his courage and consistency as either a rover, wingman, or half forward.
He was amongst the best players in Avoca`s Grand Final sides of 1971 and 1972, when he was also selected in the Lexton League side.
After 17 years as a player George retired, just in time to make way for his sons, Russell, Gary, Bradley, Michael and Scott. Once during the 1992 season, the four oldest brothers all played in Avoca`s senior side and this has become common place in 1993.
Russell, or `Rusty` as he is nicknamed, started with the Under 16`s in 1983 and accumulated numerous awards.
Although he is not as nippy as his brothers, he is extremely strong, and maturing into a valuable backman.
He was honoured with the Senior Coach’s Award in 1992.
His brother, Gary, was 12 years old when he started playing with the Under 16`s in 1985, and now has the distinction of holding the club record for the number of games played in that grade.
However, he has also carved an enviable reputation in the seniors.
Popularly known as `Mad Dog` because he bores in like one, Gary has represented the Lexton Football League several; times at junior and senior level.
Bradley started playing with the Under 16`s in 1986 and is second only to Gary for the record number of games in that grade.
He played in the 1989 Under 16`s Premiership side with Gary, and in 1991 was invited to train with the Geelong Falcons Under 18 side, an honour he shared with Mark Blair.
Bradley was plagued by injury in 1992, but is a very courageous footballer with a flair of brilliance and lots of potential.
Michael started with the Under 16`s in 1988 and played with Gary and Bradley in Avoca`s Premiership side in 1989.
He has been selected in the Lexton League junior side on several occasions.
Besides winning the Under 16`s Best & Fairest award in 1991, he was also the Best First Year Player in the Seniors.
His profile is not unlike his brothers; small physique, but fiercely determined and a very strong tackler.
Despite his quite nature, good judges predict that Michael has a very bright future.
Scott started playing in 1991 and in 1992 was a member of Avoca`s Under 16 Premiership side.
If he develops in the calibre of his brothers and his father, George Junior, Scott will be a top footballer.
Although he possessed the typical tough Wardlaw characteristic, Eddie was more flamboyant and loved to kick goals.
He won the Under 15`s Best & Fairest award in 1967, and played in Avoca`s 1971 and 1972 Grand Final sides.
Eddie played in the 1971 & 1972 Senior Runner Up teams and was also a member of Avoca’s 1979 Reserve Premiership team.
Before moving to Mathoura in 1990, Eddie’s two sons Mark and Tony, both played Junior football, and displayed the tough and gutsy qualities for which the Wardlaw family is renowned.
The youngest son of George Wardlaw senior was Bob who played in the 1960`s.
Although he was overshadowed by his brothers, Bob was a honest player and very popular clubman.
His son, Tom, started playing junior football in 1991 and shows potential.
Another limb of the Wardlaw family football tree introduces Greg Wardlaw, son of Jim junior.
Greg played over 100 games in the Seniors and Reserves, and in 1983 won the club Best & Fairest award in the Under 16`s, but was beaten by team mate Craig Drummond in the Lexton League equivalent.
Sam Wardlaw`s son, Dennis, played Under 15`s and Reserves football in the late 1960`s.
The Wardlaw story is ongoing, but appropriately, this chapter ends with Jack and Daryl, the son’s of Jack senior.
Jack junior began playing in1970 and Daryl, nicknamed Darb, followed in 1972.
When the club was short of players, it was nothing fopr young Jack to play three games in one day.
He played in the 1973 Under 15`s Premiership side and had the honour of Captaining the 1974 Premiership team.
In 1979 he played in the Reserves Premiership side and coached the Reserves team in 1985. He also won the Reserves Best & Fairest Player award that year.
Daryl first played with the Under 15`s grade in 1973, the year Avoca went through the season undefeated.
He also played in the 1974 Under 15`s Premiership and the Reserves Premiership in 1979.
Jack and Darb were a feared combination. If one was in a scrap, the other was soon there to help.
Darb earned his reputation as a protector, but, sadly, his football career came to a halt when he lost a finger in a farm accident.
In the 1970`s Jack Senior would drive Jack Junior and Darb to the footy in an old blue bomb of a vehicle.
Old Jack would sing songs all the way to the footy and home again.
Avoca boys would fight over who was getting a ride in Jack`s old blue jalopy, and those lucky enough to squeeze on board always knew they would have a terrific day, despite the outcome of the match.
And that typifies the spirit that has always surrounded the vast Wardlaw family – true blue, (red, white and blue).
