Round 4 Match Reports
Seniors
The Seniors suffered a tough 19-point loss against De La Salle today, despite a stunning final quarter resurgence. Kane Nissenbaum was immense, battling tirelessly all game for 29 disposals and 12 clearances. The side showed incredible fight to finish strongly, but a slow start ultimately cost us dearly. We demonstrated glimpses of our best football, particularly late, but couldn't string it together for four consistent quarters.
The first quarter saw De La Salle gain an early lead, as we managed just 1 goal to their 3. Max Herzel showed some early defensive pressure with 4 marks and 2 tackles in Q1, trying to stem the tide. The second quarter proved challenging, with the team struggling to convert opportunities and De La Salle extending their advantage. De La Salle led by 31 points at half-time, leaving us with a significant deficit to overcome.
By the three-quarter time siren, De La Salle had surged to a 35-point lead, making the task even steeper. Hutch Davis applied solid pressure in the third quarter with 5 tackles, battling hard to keep the team in the contest. The final quarter then saw an explosion of effort, with the side kicking 6 goals to De La Salle's 3. Sacha Levine was pivotal in this late surge, kicking 2 goals and adding 2 clearances in the last term.
Ultimately, we fell short, losing 94 to 75 after a valiant comeback. Despite the final result, the team dominated the clearances with 41 compared to De La Salle's 31, and laid 59 tackles to their 47, showcasing our effort around the contest. Kane Nissenbaum was outstanding with his 29 disposals and 12 clearances, while Sacha Levine's late 2-goal burst gave us hope. The fighting spirit displayed in the fourth quarter is definitely something the side can build on for next week's challenge.
Reserves
AJAX Reserves faced a tough assignment in Round 4, falling to De La Salle by 51 points at Waverley Oval on Saturday morning.
De La Salle made a fast start and took control early, holding AJAX to just a behind in the opening term to lead 3.2 (20) to 0.1 (1) at quarter time. The home side continued to build momentum in the second quarter, extending the margin to 5.2 (32) to 1.2 (8) by halftime.
Despite the scoreboard pressure, AJAX continued to compete hard around the contest. Midfielders Hayden Katz and Jesse Wrobel worked tirelessly at stoppages and around the ball, while Tyler Southwick battled strongly in the ruck against a physical De La Salle setup.
The third quarter saw De La Salle continue their strong ball movement and efficiency going forward, opening up a 7.5 (47) to 2.3 (15) lead at the final break. In defence, Hudson De Bortoli competed strongly under constant pressure and worked hard to repel repeated forward entries. Harry Edwards provided run and support on the wing throughout the afternoon, while Raphael Light brought energy and intensity across both the wing and forward line as AJAX searched for opportunities to generate scoreboard pressure.
Although De La Salle finished strongly to run out 10.7 (67) to 2.4 (16) winners, AJAX continued to fight the game out until the final siren and will take valuable lessons from the performance moving forward.
After four rounds, AJAX Reserves now sit 8th on the ladder and will return home next week for an important clash against 7th-placed Williamstown as they look to bounce back and build momentum in the season ahead.
Sunday 1s (Premier)
The Sunday 1s headed into their Monday night clash against Old Trinity looking to return to the winners list, and to square their ledger at 2-2. At a big oval on a perfect night for football, the Jackas were able to get off to a fast start in the first half, putting their running game into action with a four goal to one opening term. The second quarter produced more of the same, and was defined by manic pressure and deadly finishing, with Ajax kicking six goals straight and heading into half time with a 41-point advantage.
Over the next quarter however, the Jackas were reminded that there is no such thing as an easy kill in premier division, as Trinity ramped up the heat and charged back into the contest, stripping the margin back to under three goals at the beginning of the final quarter. Having let games like this slip in the past, Ajax were determined to not let history repeat, and responded maturely, booting the next six goals of the game in a commanding last 15 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
Joel Parasol dominated from the midfield bagging six goals in a best on ground performance. He was ably assisted by Aden Katz who played his best game of the season with three of his own, while Yehuda Gottlieb showed he still has some tricks kicking two outrageous goals from the boundary.
The Sunday 1s now sit just outside the top four on percentage and will be looking to build momentum after this important win.
Saturday Thirds (Div 3)
Perfect conditions set the scene on Saturday afternoon as AJAX headed to Marcellin looking to continue building momentum through the grading rounds. While the final scoreboard read an impressive 14.16 (100) to 2.1 (13) victory, the first half told a different story.
Despite controlling large parts of the game early, AJAX weren’t playing the brand of footy they wanted to. Ball movement was stagnant at times and the side was left frustrated by missed opportunities in front of goal, heading into the main break with plenty still to improve despite holding a comfortable lead.
The response after halftime was exactly what the coaches were after.
AJAX lifted the intensity around the contest, moved the ball with far more purpose and suddenly the goals started to flow. The third quarter saw a complete shift in momentum as the side piled on a flurry of majors and blew the game wide open with fast, attacking football.
Tal Barda was outstanding all afternoon, working tirelessly around the ground and providing plenty of drive through the middle, while Sam Kirsh hit the scoreboard with a few classy goals during the second-half surge. Tyler Cohen was dangerous up forward as well, finishing with a couple of goals of his own and creating constant pressure inside 50.
Brad Waislitz was rock solid in the midfield, bringing composure and strength around the contest as AJAX finished the game strongly to run out 87-point winners.
Sunday 2s (Div 4)
AJAX Sundays 2s continued their undefeated start to the season with a dominant 100-point twilight win over Ormond at EE Gunn Reserve in a special Mother’s Day clash.
With a new warm-up ritual and strong energy from the outset, the Jackas came out firing, controlling the game early through pressure, structure, and relentless effort. While the scoreboard didn’t fully reflect the dominance in the first quarter, AJAX still built a strong lead and entered halftime 40 points clear despite a couple of injuries disrupting rotations.
The halftime message was simple: stay uncompromising with our standards and play four-quarter football.
And that’s exactly what followed.
As the sun set, AJAX rose—lifting the pressure, sticking to structure, and completely taking over under lights. Potash was enormous through the middle setting the tone, while Gabe exploded up forward with seven goals for the game, including four in the final quarter.
Most pleasing once again was the spread of contributors and the positivity across the field, even through adversity, as the Jackas embodied the team-first culture that continues to define the season.
The night finished in fitting fashion, with roses handed out to all the mothers in attendance to cap off a memorable evening for the club.
Now attention turns to a huge test next Sunday against Bo Morris—2nd versus 3rd, and another chance to prove ourselves.
On to the next one… go JACKAS!