Round 13 Match Reports
Seniors
AJAX entered Round 13 against Williamstown CYMS determined to respond after a disappointing performance the previous week and create some breathing room inside the top four.
Fielding a youthful and inexperienced side, the Jackas centred their focus on the qualities that have defined their season, relentless pressure, strong camaraderie and unwavering passion.
Those traits were on full display early. Despite kicking into the breeze, AJAX produced an outstanding opening quarter, booting three goals to Williamstown's one to take a deserved seven-point lead into the first break.
The second term developed into a fierce, hard-fought contest, with repeated stoppages making scoring difficult. In a crucial moment just before half-time, Toby Lipton calmly converted a set shot to give the Jackas a valuable three-point advantage heading into the main break.
The premiership quarter, however, didn't begin as planned. Williamstown struck quickly with three goals in the opening five minutes, forcing AJAX onto the back foot for the remainder of the term. Despite the momentum swinging against them, the Jackas showed plenty of fight, with important majors from Jack Hart and Jethro Gunn ensuring the margin remained within reach at just eight points entering the final quarter.
Unfortunately, Williamstown proved too strong in the last, kicking three goals to one to secure the victory (14.15) 99 - AJAX (11.10) 76.
Jethro Gunn and Toby Lipton were standout performers throughout the afternoon, epitomising the determination and competitiveness the Jackas displayed despite the result.
The loss leaves AJAX with a 7–6 record, sitting third on the ladder and facing an important run home. The Jackas will look to bounce back next week when they host Old Geelong at Gary Smorgon Oval in what looms as another crucial clash.
Reserves
It was a tough afternoon for the AJAX Reserves at Fearon Reserve on Saturday, with the side going down 126–8 to Williamstown CYMS Reserves in Round 13.
Williamstown came out firing, piling on 25 points in the opening term while holding AJAX to a single point. The pressure continued through the second and third quarters, as Williamstown took control of the contest and extended their lead to 83 points at three-quarter time.
To their credit, the AJAX Reserves continued to fight out the game and produced their best quarter of the afternoon in the final term. Despite the result, the effort to keep competing until the final siren was a positive to take from a difficult day.
Best players: Justin Sternfeld, Bailey Rothfield, Toby Grodski, Corey Wasbutzki, Joel Schwarz, Lochie Mitsel.
The Reserves will look to bounce back strongly in the coming rounds and put together a better performance on the back of the lessons from Saturday's game.
Sunday 1s (Premier)
In a hot matchup between two finals competitors, AJAX looked to avenge an early season 4-point loss to the Crocs.
Xavs (Crocs) got off to a hot start in the opening term, slotting three quick, consecutive goals before AJAX was able to rally and claw back a couple of their own.
The second quarter saw much of the same, with AJAX doing well to control large portions of the game, before lapses would see Xavier pile on rapid goals in succession.
At half time the margin was 2 goals in favour of the Crocs, but AJAX was determined to set the tone with a strong third term.
Unfortunately the Crocs were too efficient on turnover, consistently punishing AJAX errors with goals. The third quarter blew the margin out to 5 goals going into the final quarter, and whilst the Jackas were able to win that final term, the margin was ultimately too much to reel in.
The Jackas will look to get their first scalp over the Crocs in the finals campaign with some other important wins needing to come first. For now the takeaway lesson is obvious, lapses in focus and aggression cost the team dearly as Xavier proves that they only need a small sniff in portions of the game to do lots of damage.
Saturday Thirds (Div 3)
AJAX produced one of its most complete performances of the season on Saturday, running away with a 20.7 (127) to 1.4 (10) victory over St Bedes/Mentone.
The tone was set from the opening bounce as AJAX brought relentless pressure and clean ball movement, piling on six first-quarter goals to take control of the contest. The second quarter was more of the same, with the midfield continuing to get on top and the defence refusing to give the opposition any easy looks. By half-time, the game was firmly on AJAX’s terms.
Rather than taking the foot off the pedal after the main break, AJAX lifted again. The ball lived in the forward half as the team continued to share it around and create opportunities, before a seven-goal final quarter capped off an outstanding four-quarter performance.
Corey Zielinski was unstoppable in front of goal, finishing with seven majors in a brilliant display. Tal Barda was dominant through the midfield, winning plenty of the football and repeatedly driving the team forward. Doov saved one of his best quarters for last, producing an enormous final term in the ruck that gave AJAX first use at the stoppages and helped the side finish with real authority. Bradley Waislitz also provided one of the highlights of the afternoon, snapping a terrific goal from the pocket.
The result was built on a genuine team performance, with everyone embracing their role and contributing to a convincing win. It was a fantastic response from the group and another step forward as AJAX continues to build momentum heading into the final rounds.
Sunday 2s (Div 4)
With a top-two spot on the line, the Sunday 2s produced arguably their best football of the season, defeating Beaumaris after three quarters of relentless, finals-style pressure.
A new pre-game routine had the group locked in from the outset, and it showed immediately. The theme of the day was "Give them no space," and AJAX executed it to perfection, holding Beaumaris scoreless in the opening quarter to lead 24–0 before extending the margin to 48–7 by halftime.
The halftime message was simple: keep doing exactly what we're doing.
The boys answered again, holding Beaumaris goalless for a second time in the third quarter while continuing to dominate around the contest and extending the lead even further.
A slight drop in intensity during the final term allowed a few late goals, providing a timely reminder that four-quarter football will be essential come finals, but the result was never in doubt as AJAX ran away comfortable winners.
The backline was immense all afternoon, with Chaim Stosser and Adrian Rosenwax controlling the air, while Ayden Marom and Ben Goldhirsch dominated through the midfield. Up forward, Jude Goldfarb and Doron Segal finished their work, but the biggest takeaway was that there were no passengers—every player played their role in a complete team performance.
A huge win that secures finals footy and builds enormous confidence heading into another blockbuster against Melbourne High School.
On to the next one. Go JACKAS!