`Ghostly`But True!
When Kevin Bartlett ran onto the MCG late in the 1983 season for the match between Richmond and Collingwood, he became part of football history.
A crowd of 81,966 had massed to see Bartlett set an all time VFL record by playing his 400th game.
Running next to the famous number 29 was a product of Avoca, Jim Jess.
Jess was one of several Richmond players who had been given autographed footballs to boot into the crowd prior to the match.
The atmosphere was electric as he helped Bartlett carve a path through the huge cheer squad banner which paid tribute to the champion.
Jess was enjoying the rush of adrenalin, and he knew how to entice the crowd. Almost arrogantly, he waited until his team mates had disposed of their footballs.
The crowd sensed they were being teased by the big lumbering Tiger who continued to bounce the coveted ball.
As he strode onto the hallowed turf wicket near the centre of the big arena, he slowed to a walk and shook Bartlett`s hand.
The crowd was now at fever pitch.
Amongst them was Jim`s most loyal supporter, his father Noel Jess, standing as he did for every game, against the players race half way up the Northern Stand.
Confidently flicking the ball around and around, Jess towards the packed Northern Stand, quickened his pace, took five steps and launched the perfect punt kick.
The ball exploded from the boot and rose like a rocket.
As the distance approached 60 metres, the football dropped like a torpedo right onto the chest of his Dad, who had not moved one inch.
As years drift by, good football stories are renowned for being embellished. But the facts surrounding this incident are well documented, and made the headlines in the daily newspapers. And the football now has pride and place on the Jess family mantelpiece at Avoca.
Jim Jess is the most distinguished footballer ever to come out of Avoca. Along with the great Colin Niven, who played with Natte Yallock, and later Fitzroy and Melbourne, Jess will always be remembered as a local product who went on to become a champion in the best competition in Australia.
The rugged big man played in Richmond`s 1980 Premiership team. He was picked to represent Victoria on five occasions and arguably his greatest accolade was selection in the 1980 All Australian team.
Ironically, his league career went precariously close to ending before it started.
Whilst he dreamed of making the big league, like many country boys he loved his life in the bush, and was suspicious and frightened of the city.
A confident lad, but out of his environment he was shy.
In his teens Jim had shown outstanding potential, and caught the eye of most VFL talent scouts, although he was zoned to St Kilda.
Soon a deputation from St Kilda, full of its own importance, tracked down young Jess. After spruiking for an hour about the virtues of playing with the Saints and living in the big smoke, they were puzzled by the boy’s reluctance.
`Well son, you know where to find us,` said one of the officials. `If you change your mind and want to give it a go, come and see us.`That man was responsible for one of the worst recruiting blunders ever.
It seemed no time after the Saints Ford fairlane had pulled out of sight, and the dust had settled, that officials from Carlton arrived in their BMW.
The Blues certainly talked a more enticing language, Money, a car, a job, nothing seemed a problem, But, like the Saints, the men from Carlton were surprised by the lack of interest.
It seemed there was no way this kid could be enticed to Melbourne.
By now Jim was playing with St Arnaud.
Patiently watching his rapid progress was Paddy Guinane.
The former Richmond champion had served his apprenticeship under the prince of recruitment officers, the great Graeme Richmond. Paddy had inherited a unique shrewdness and developed the art of winning the confidence of young bush talent.
Paddy made an effort to get to know Jim, his father and his family.
Gradually Paddy became a trusted friend, and it was just a matter of time before he would utter the magic words, `Son, if you’re sure you want to play league football, you come down to Richmond with me, and we’ll really look after you.
Those reassuring words won Jim Jess`s confidence, and thus launched what would prove to be an exciting and memorable league career.
Footnote: This extract was taken from Bush Heroes during the 1993 season.
Jim Jess coached Avoca to the 1993 Premiership after this book had been published.
Unfortunately though, Jim could not play in the Grand Final after suffering a knee injury in the 2nd semi final.
Jim won the 93 L.F.L Goalkicking Award with 103 goals and was also runner up in the club Best & Fairest award. He kicked 20 goals in one game vs Landsborough.
He coached Avoca in 94 and played in the Grand Final, but unfortunately our arch rivals from down the road, Natte extracted revenge from the previous season.
Jim won the Avoca Best & Fairest award in 1996, which is 24 years since he had previously won the same award in 1972 as a 17 year old boy.
He was Runner up in the L.F.L Best & Fairest award and also the Maffescioni Award and at long last, finally achieved his ambition to play in a premiership with the Avoca Football Club. He also coached the Lexton Football League.
Jim would play in premierships for Avoca in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and was judged to be the winner of the VCFL medal for the best player in the Grand Final in 1997.
Jim finally hung up his boots after the 1999 season, but did play a couple of games for Robe FC in 2003 when he coached that club to a Premiership after being wooden spooners the previous season.
In 1997, Jim Jess was presented Life Membership of the Avoca Football & Netball Club.
Jim Jess Honour Roll
1968 - Winner of Under 15 Club Best & Fairest.
1971 - Played in Senior Runner Up Side. 16 year old.
1972 - Winner of Club Best & Fairest.
- Winner of Best Under 20 and Best Under 18 club awards.
- Played in Senior Runner Up Side.
- Kicked a club record of 16 goals vs Amphitheatre.
- His bother, John Jess equalled this record with 16 goals vs Moonambel in 1982.
1973- Cleared to St Arnaud FC.
1975 - Winner of North Central FL Best & Fairest Award.
Went on to play 223 games with Richmond FC, 1980 Premiership, represented Victoria on 5 occasions, and 1980 All Australian Rep.
Coached Balranald FC and Burnie FC to premierships and then returned to Avoca in 1993.
1993 - Coach of Premiership side.
- Winner of LFL Goalkicking award with 103 goals.
1994 - Senior Coach.
1995 - Played with Port Fairy FC.
1996 - Winner of Avoca Club Best & Fairest Award.
- Runner Up in LFL Best & Fairest Award.
- Played in 1996 Premiership.
- Coach of LFL Team.
1997 - Played in 1997 Premiership.
- Winner of Mervyn Howard Memorial Medal for VCFL Best in Grand Final.
- Presented with Life Membership of Avoca FNC.
1998 - Played in 1998 Premiership.
1999 - Retired at end of season.
2003 - Coached Robe to Premiership.
