1928 – Fifth Premiership
With almost the same team and an air of confidence and authority about the town, it seemed a formality that Avoca would win back-to-back premierships.
But the team soon discovered that their opponents had other ideas.
There was plenty of stability off the field amongst the office bearers.
President: Charlie Boyton.
Secretaries: Alf Castleman and Hec Harrison.
Treasurer: B.C. (Barny) Woods.
Bill Harris started the season as Captain and Coach, but work commitments forced him to relinquish the job to Paddy Ryan.
Avoca came back to earth with a thud, losing their first two games of the new season to Navarre by eight points and Landsborough by two points.
Fortunately, Avoca took stock and reversed the result against Navarre on June 13 1928.
Avoca 6.12.48 to Navarre 7.7.43
Avoca’s Goals: Bill Hill 3, Alf Goonan 2, Erroll Howell 1.
Avoca’s Best: Alf Goonan, Erroll Howell, Jim Bowen, Frank Kaye, “Goldy” Drummond, and Charlie McCallum.
With a reputation as a gun forward, Alf Goonan, who had played with North Melbourne, was a real find for Avoca, and was soon rewriting the record books.
Playing against Landsborough on June 27, 1928, he set a new club record with seven goals and repeated the effort against Barkly to win the second semi final.
Those who saw him play claim Alf Goonan was the best footballer they had ever seen, but he also had a reputation as a villain.
During the season he also bagged tallies of five and six goals.
In the match known as “the final”, Goonan only kicked two goals and the game was drawn with Redbank.
Curiously, Goonan was held goalless in the replay, which Avoca lost by five points.
Speculation was rife that the game was fixed. Prior to the match, wealthy Redbank supporter, Alf Burge, was spotted chatting to Goonan.
Because Avoca finished on top of the ladder. Redbank had the right to challenge them in the Grand Final.
This time Goonan was simply sensational. In a best on the ground performance he booted three goals, giving Avoca victory and the premiership by 15 points.
GRAND FINAL
Avoca 9.8.62 to Redbank 6.11.47
Avoca’s Goals: Alec Webster 4, Alf Goonan 3, Erroll Howell 2.
Avoca’s Best: Alf Goonan, “Goldy” Drummomd, Erroll Howell, Hec Harrison, Frank Kaye, Jim Bowen and Alec Webster.
It was only the second time Avoca had won consecutive premierships and the players list for the year was:
Paddy Ryan (Captain), Bill Harris, “Watty” French, Hec Harrison, George Harrison, Allan Kaye, Frank Kaye, Jim Bowen, Erroll Howell, Ian Templeton, Bob Watts, Alex Jardine, Charlie McCallum, Carl Rhode, Bill Hill, Jack Coghlan, Bob Gordon, Laurie Harbour, Harry Rodwell, Alan Hill, George Reed, Goldy Drummond, Jack Wardlaw, Harry Powers, Alf Goonan, Alex Webster, Ken Gane and Bill Whitley.
Avoca also fielded a junior side in 1928.
Many of the names on the players list have relatives associated with the club today:
Bob Gordon (Captain), Jack Coghlan, Edward Courtney, George Reed, Roy Hellings, Tony Jolly, Laurie Lindsay, Caesar Chapman, H Castleman, Eddie Redpath, Jack Blair, George Latch, Keith McDonald, Ken Gane, George Gordon, Jack Ryan, Syd Kaye, Keith Astbury, Leon Redpatch, Herb Morris, Syd Field, H Bartlett, S Wolfe, Clem Hill, Frank Blair, Alf Redpath, Arthur Kaye.
to 1929
