At last Avoca seemed to have the ideal combination of youth and experience.
The senior and reserves playing list included:
Terry Long, Ron Verlin, Bruce Farnsworth, Lance Farnsworth, Peter Jess, Gary McKenzie, Lloyd Gollop, Brian Coghlan, Billy Wardlaw, Ian Drummond, John Evans, Neville Field, Ken Hall, Pat Harrison, Jim Jess, Eddie Wardlaw, Paul Gothard, George Wardlaw, Keith Chiswell, Rob Astbury, Deale Farnsworth, Alan Burge, Stephen Phillips, Roly Reynolds, David Streeter, Tom Farnsworth, Des Lindsay, Peter Carter, Alf Hunter, Col Evans, Noel Farnsworth, Mark Drummond, Lindsay Harrison, Robert Crooks, Russell Jones. Geoff Drummond, Mark Drummond, Bob Wardlaw, Ricky Carter, Michael Mitchell, Kevin Matthews, and John Harvey.
Terry Long, who worked a farm near Maryborough, was proving to be the perfect coach, a courageous and respected footballer, and an astute football brain.
It came as no surprise when Terry was appointed captain of the Lexton Football League side.
Jim Jess, aged just 16 years, was also selected in the league team, whilst Geoff and Mark Drummond, Phil Holland and Dale Gothard were selected in the league’s Under 15 team.
Peter Jess proved to be the recruit of the year, booting 54 goals and finishing runner up by just one vote to Howard Locket in the Lexton League Best & Fairest award.
Ironically, the man who is now renowned for the million dollar contracts he negotiates for his clients, played with Avoca for no remuneration.
A budding young journalist, named Stephen Phillips, was also enticed to Avoca.
During his youth Steve often spent school holidays at Avoca staying with his relations, Bill and Connie Robinson.
By working at The Age and Sun newspapers, Steve established himself as one of Australia’s foremost sports reporters, and then carved an enviable career in the television industry which took him around the world and to several Olympic Games.
He was a key member of the 1971 team but at the end of the season, had to choose between playing football and concentrating on his career.
Although the Bulldogs finished second on the ladder, they were beaten twice during the season by Lexton.
Terry Long knew if his boys were to have any real chance of winning the premiership, they had to turn on a convincing performance against Lexton in the Second Semi Final.
And perform they did, In a thrilling match Avoca led until moments before the final siren, when the Tigers leveled the scores for a draw.
SECOND SEMI FINAL
|
Avoca
|
6.6
|
9.9
|
15.15
|
16.15.111
|
|
Lexton
|
0.3
|
7.4
|
10.5
|
16.15.111
|
Avoca Goals: Rob Astbury 5, Brian Coghlan 4, Gary McKenzie 2, Peter Jess 2, Paul Gothard 1, Stephen Phillips 1, John Evans 1, George Wardlaw 1.
Avoca Best: Terry Long, Brian Coghlan, Rob Astbury, George Wardlaw, Gary McKenzie.
Although the team was jubilant in the knowledge that they could match it with Lexton, the club was shattered later that night when brilliant rover Peter Jess was badly injured in a motor vehicle accident.
More info in following link. (The gospel according to Jess)
Peter, who had been the life blood of the side, lost the sight of an eye.
The tragedy seemed to inspire the team, who won the replay of the second semi final by 31 points.
SECOND SEMI FINAL REPLAY
|
Avoca
|
2.2
|
7.8
|
9.9
|
13.14.92
|
|
Lexton
|
2.6
|
3.7
|
6.10
|
8.13.61
|
Avoca Goals: Rob Astbury 3, Brian Coghlan 3, Dale Farnsworth 3, Gary McKenzie 2, Neville Field 1, Ron Verlin 1.
Avoca Best: Terry Long, Brian Coghlan, Neville Field, Jim Jess, John Evans, Gary McKenzie.
Avoca won enormous respect for the spirit they displayed after the tragic loss of Peter Jess from the team.
However, the absence of a player with the caliber and experience of Peter proved a big handicap in the final analysis, with Lexton winning the Grand Final by 12 points.
GRAND FINAL
|
Avoca
|
1.3
|
2.6
|
6.9
|
9.14.68
|
|
Lexton
|
2.4
|
6.10
|
8.16
|
10.20.80
|
Avoca Goals: Rob Astbury 5, Brian Coghlan 2, Keith Chiswell 1, Ron Verlin 1.
Avoca Best: Neville Field, Rob Astbury, Keith Chiswell, Ron Verlin, Brian Coghlan, Stephen Phillips, George Wardlaw.
Peter Jess was extremely unfortunate in the Lexton league Best & Fairest count. Just one vote separated him and Lexton great Howard “Plugger” Lockett. The club Best & Fairest was won by Neville Field from Terry Long and Peter Jess.
Jim Jess was Best Under 18, whilst Pat Harrison and John Evans, won Best Under 20 awards during the finals.
Rob Astbury kicked 84 goals to win the Lexton league and club goal kicking awards.
Rob’s father, C.K (Keith) Astbury, was awarded a Life Membership and Ian Drummond was Best Clubman.
In the Reserves, Alf Hunter collected his second Best & Fairest award, whilst Lloyd Gollop was Runner Up.
Geoff Drummond polled an amazing 94 votes in the Under 15 Best & Fairest award, with Phil Holland runner up.
go to 1972
