!979,80,81 was certainly a very successfull era for the Avoca Football Club as the following information will show.
79,80,81 Photographs
Season 1979.
By 1979, Avoca had experienced a premiership drought that had stretched 26 years.
Ron Deledio was appointed coach in 1979, and his brother Wayne was also attracted to the club as was Ron Deledio Snr as the Chairman of selectors. Wayne was a former Carlton player and Ron Senior was highly respected and renowned for his astute football brain.
The Deledio`s
Ron, Ron Snr. Wayne
An aggressive recruiting campaign in 1978 at Ballarat University saw the inclusion of brilliant on ballers, Tony Haddow from Rochester, and Gerard Darcy from Donald and along with the inclusion of the Deledio’s in 1979, it was believed that Avoca would go all the way, especially after defeating Moonambel by 5 goals in the 2nd semi final.
It was not to be though, as Moonambel turned the tables on Avoca in the Grand Final and were 5 goal winners. 17.13.115 to 21.16.142
Gerard Darcy
However, the Reserves team coached by John Field and captained by Stuart Sutter was triumphant in 79 but caused some hearts to flutter along the journey.
Trailing Moonambel by 2 points in the 2nd semi final, Wayde Thiele marked the ball 60 metres out on the boundary line. Despite the final siren ringing in his ears, Wayde remained ice cool as he unleashed a massive kick which split the goal posts, giving Avoca Victory by four points.
The Grand Final against Lexton was also a tense affair. Despite inaccuracy Avoca won the match, again by just 4 points. 7.18.60 to 8.8.56.
Stuart Sutter was the hero for Avoca kicking 6 of the 7 goals.
1979 Reserves Premiership Team. Go to Photo Gallery for larger version.
Even though the Senior Premiership proved elusive in 1979, Wayne Deledio brought honour to the club and himself, by winning the Lexton League Best & Fairest award, the club Best & Fairest award, and the prestigious Maffescioni award.
Wayne Deledio
Season 1980
After two years of careful planning and patient team building, the Bulldogs were entitled to be optimistic that 1980 would be the season that broke the senior premiership drought.
Young players who had been recruited previously remained with the club and combined perfectly with the raw local talent that had been carefully nurtured.
Although the senior team finished third on the ladder, coach Ron Deledio brought them to their peak with perfect timing, eliminating Navarre by 67 points in the First Semi Final. 24.28.172 to 16.9.105 Geoff Drummond kicked 6 goals in this game and the best players were Wayne Deledio, Tony Haddow, David Veitch, Peter Drummond and `The Whistling Wing Man` Tony Wines.
Avoca`s thrust towards the premiership saw them score a massive 80 point victory over Lexton in the Preliminary Final. 22.17.149 to 9.15.69
Better players were Peter Drummond, Richard Field, Wayne Deledio, Tony Meade and John Jess.
Richard Field
After fasting for 27 years, Avoca was ravenous for the taste of a senior premiership.
However, early in the Grand Final several players appeared nervous, and the team trailled Natte Bealiba at quarter time,
During the short break, Coach Ron Deledio took time to calm his players, and they listened intently.
After seizing the lead in the second quarter, Avoca methodically took control of the match, running out victorious by 31 points. 11.17.83 to 7.10.52
Leading Goalkicker Geoff Drummond booted another 5 goals and the better players were Peter Drummond who took the mark of the day, standing on his opponents shoulders, Tony Haddow, Wayne Deledio, John Jess and 17 year old David Edwards.
1980 Senior Premiership Team Go to Photo gallery for larger version.
Innacuracy probably cost Avoca the honour of winning the Premiership double in 1980, with the Reserves losing to Natte Bealiba by just 6 points. 4.8.32 to 6.2.38
Better players were Greg Morley, Tony Clancy, Greg Jess and Jack Wardlaw.
It was a jubilant season for Wayne Deledio, who became only the second Avoca Player to win consecutive League Best & Fairest awards. The other was Eric Stuart in 1935,36.
Wayne also won the Maffescioni award and the club Best & Fairest award, and was also voted the best player in the Beaurapaire Shield match between Lexton and the Western Plains Leagues.
Season 1981
Success breeds success, and Avoca approached the 1981 season convinced that they had what it takes to win successive senior Premierships, a feat that had eluded the club for more than half a century..
Despite the departure of Wayne Deledio, the club had recruited former North Ballarat Champion John Vallance to fill the void. Avoca finished the season on top of the ladder, but the Bulldogs had to dig deep to overcome a determined Natte Bealiba in the Second Semi Final. 14.17.101 to 14.10.94
Better players were Brendan Williams, Ron Deledio, Robert Kemp, Gerard Darcy and the mercurial finals specialist, Peter Drummond.
Avoca was never in danger against Lexton in the Grand Final, running out winners by 43 points. 20.20.140 to 14.13.97
The better players were Gerard Darcy, Peter Drummond, Brendan Williams, John Vallance and Tony Wines who was the club leading goal kicker and kicked 5 goals in the Grand Final.
1981 Senior Premiership Team Go to photo gallery for larger version.
Avoca Reserves made it through to the Preliminary Final, but a six point defecit against Lexton cost them the opportunity to play in the Grand Final.
Greg Jess received some individual glory when he won the Lexton League Reserves Best & fairest award.
Greg Jess
18 year old David Edwards won his first club Best & Fairest award in 1981 and since then history has proved him to be a club legend by winning the award on seven occasions.
30 year old David Edwards in 1993. won the 1981 Best & Fairest as an 18 year old.
79,80,81 was certainly a grand era for the Avoca Football Club.
79,80,81 Photographs