The winds of change swept through the club in 1925.
It was decided to field a senior side in the Maryborough and District Association and a second eighteen team remained in the Mountain Creek Association.
However, one month later it was evident there was not enough players to field two teams, and the second eighteen was withdrawn.
Avoca’s colours were red and white, with black shorts.
Les Oliver was appointed Coach.
He also had the honour of coaching the Maryborough District Association side.
Other Avoca players selected in the representative side included: Claude Harbour, Allan Kaye, Bill Whitley and Jim Dawson.
Dawson, renowned as a gifted forward, joined Avoca from Elmhurst.
The following team was selected to play for Avoca on May 20, 1925.
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B:
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Claude Harbour
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Roy Easterbrook
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Cliff White
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HB:
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Dan Larkins
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Arthur Palmer
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A.F. (Bill) Lalor
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C:
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Keith Dougall
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Les Oliver
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Allan Kaye
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HF:
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Jim Doyle
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Roy Wise
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Harold Dawson
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F:
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Jim Dawson
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Paddy Ryan
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Frank Kaye
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R/R
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Bill Whitley
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Ken Soutter
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Jack Cairns
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Mr. Cliff White also played with Avoca in 1925
He was the Principal of the Avoca Secondary School until 1926
In 1991, Cliff was asked to recall some of the footballers he remembered best.
Despite being 92 years of age, Cliff had vivid memories, and uncovered a few “skeletons”.
Cliff claimed Les Oliver was a brilliant footballer and a good coach, but never trained himself.
Paddy Ryan was a very good full forward, and his son, Paddy Junior, also developed into a champion. Paddy senior was the Avoca policeman and, although his leather belt had the local youth bluffed, Paddy was a bit of a villain himself.
Bill Lalor was the local chemist, Educated at Ballarat Grammar, Bill was a good all-round sportsman. His son, Vivian (Micky), later played with Avoca in 1964 and won the Reserves Best & Fairest in 1968.
Harry Rodwell ran the Avoca Iceworks. He owned his own car and would transport the players to games, often making several trips.
Jim Dawson come from Elmhurst and married Mona Astbury, daughter of Andy Astbury, who served the club as President for six consecutive years.
Jim was a very quick forward and an excellent goal sneak.
Allan Kaye was one of the best wingers ever to play for Avoca. He strung together almost 200 games in succession. Allan was also a great runner and was favourite for the Stawell Gift in 1930. However, he was beaten in a heat by the eventual winner, R.J. Hodge.
Bill Harris was another fine all-round sportsman and one of Avoca’s best footballers.
to 1926
