Round 6 Match Reports
Seniors
After an impressive display against Williamstown, AJAX looked to continue their strong form coming up against ladder leaders Collegians at home. On a windy but dry afternoon, the Jacka's came prepared and excited for the contest, knowing that their best was enough to win this game of footy. The match began in a tight affair. Starting strong and leading all stats, AJAX remained level at quarter time, being 2 goals a piece, scores 14 AJAX to the Collegians 15. It was neck and neck throughout the second quarter, with goals being kicked on both ends. Thanks to some lively pieces of play up forward AJAX led at the main break by less than a goal, looking to continue into the second half and kick away.
However, Collegians came out after half time with a significant lift, kicking some major goals late in the 3rd term to extend the margin. The Lions led by 18 points at three quarter time, yet the game still felt like it could swing either way with both teams having significant ability to put scoreboard pressure on swiftly. Collegians held on strong to stay ahead in a nail-biting finish, going home 10-point victors. There were plenty of positives to take out of a close affair with the competition leaders in Collegians, and AJAX proved once again that they can well and truly match it with the best. Some strong performances from our half backs in Hutch Davis and Jonah Micmacher provided plenty of run and offensive set up, along with midfielders Nick Lewis and Kane Nissenbaum who fought all day for the Jackas to keep us in it.
AJAX go again next week against Old Geelong at Como Park with the focus on ensuring we bounce back and get back on the winners list.
Reserves
AJAX Reserves pulled off their best win of the season on Saturday, knocking off previously undefeated Collegians by four points in a thriller at Gary Smorgon Oval.
After a slow start that saw Collegians jump out early, the boys responded brilliantly with a huge second quarter, piling on 6.2 to 0.1 and completely flipping the game on its head. That burst gave AJAX a lead they would fight hard to protect for the rest of the afternoon.
Collegians came hard in the final term, but the group stood up when it mattered most. The defensive pressure lifted, contests tightened, and the composure late in the game showed how much this side has grown over the past few weeks.
The final score read 9.4 (58) to 8.6 (54), handing Collegians their first loss of the season and giving AJAX a massive early-season confidence boost.
There were contributors everywhere across the ground, with Oren Tobias, Ryan Herman, Sean Bass, Jordy Rothfield, Benji Krongold and Corey Wasbutzki all playing important roles in the win.
The result sees AJAX climb into 5th spot on the ladder, with another huge challenge ahead this Saturday against 6th placed Old Geelong at Como Park.
Sunday 1s (Premier)
A very special victory for the Sundays Premier team as they celebrated the life of Gil Kras, a beloved teammate who tragically passed away a couple of years ago. On "Gilly's day" the Jackas outfit heard from his mother, before running out in unity and holding a minute silence with the opposition.
From the outset of the game, it was clear that it was going to be an absolute arm wrestle of a game, as both teams saw opportunities in front of goal, with St Kevin's ultimately proving more accurate in front of the big sticks, kicking 3.1 (19), to AJAX 1.5 (11) to cap off the first quarter.
The struggle for goalscoring continued into the second quarter as the Jackas only managed to put on one more goal going into halftime, down by a margin of 15 points. To that point, strong performances by Vice Captain Eitan Potash in the midfield, and Zak Bierenkrant down back kept the team well in the hunt.
In the second half, AJAX managed to slow the scoring efforts of St Kevin's, not conceding a single goal in the 3rd quarter as they slashed the margin down to just 8 points. All was set for a big fourth quarter, but a quick goal by St Kevin's threatened to derail any momentum that the Jackas had going into the final term. However, the conditioning and grit of the Sundays outfit proved to be too much, as the entire team lifted in a spirited final term.
Avi Segman and Gabe Jotkowitz stood tall up front to put the ball between the big sticks when it mattered most, and long-time stalwart of the team Josh Jones took a goal line mark with barely 3 minutes to go in a game-saving effort.
AJAX had managed to pull ahead early in the fourth, and held onto that lead to close out the game.
Exhausted from a true gut-running game, the team won due to an immense buy-in from every player, with Coach Ryan White commenting on the impressive capacity to win clean, but also win dirty when it mattered. AJAX now have a little breathing space in the top 4, as they look towards Old Scotch next week.
Final scores:
AJAX : 8.7 (55)
St Kevin's: 7.9 (51)
Saturday Thirds (Div 3)
AJAX Saturday Thirds produced their most consistent four-quarter performance of the season on Saturday morning, controlling the game for most of the day in an impressive win over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.
From the opening bounce, the boys looked switched on. Strong pressure around the contest and repeat efforts allowed AJAX to take control early, opening up a 4.1 to 0.1 lead at quarter time. The midfield got to work, the backline stayed composed behind the ball, and the forwards were rewarded after locking the ball inside 50 for long stretches.
The second quarter saw the boys continue to build. The ball movement and connection across the ground became a real highlight, with players linking up cleanly and working hard for each other in transition. By half time, AJAX had extended the margin to 8.2 (50) to 2.4 (16), with the game feeling firmly on AJAX’s terms.
To St Bedes’ credit, they responded after the main break, but every time momentum threatened to swing, AJAX answered with pressure and disciplined team defence. The boys stayed composed, continued to win territory and carried a 10.4 (64) to 5.8 (38) lead into the final quarter.
The final term summed up the day perfectly. The intensity never dropped, the pressure stayed high and AJAX finished strongly, piling on another four goals to run out convincing 14.7 (91) to 6.11 (47) winners.
Zak Harris finished with four goals in a strong display up forward, while Raphael Green had an excellent impact around the ground in another impressive all-round team performance.
Sunday 2s (Div 4)
Back at Gary Smorgon Oval for the first of five straight home games, AJAX Sunday 2s overcame a sluggish start to storm home 81-point winners over West Brunswick in their Pride Round.
The Jackas were below their usual standards early, with West Brunswick sharper around the contest and cleaner moving the ball in the first quarter. For the first time this year, AJAX 2s found themselves genuinely challenged and beaten around the ground.
The second quarter saw improvement, but the connection and flow still weren’t fully there despite heading into halftime a couple of goals in front. The halftime message was simple: return to Team football. Lift the standards. Play for each other. And the response was enormous.
The third quarter was arguably the best football the Sunday 2s have played all season. Every line lifted together - the backline became resolute, the midfield dominated the contest, and the forwards feasted as the Jackas unleashed their trademark green-light football.
From there, the boys never looked back, piling on goals and running away with an emphatic 81-point win.
Ari Farkas starred in his first game with relentless pressure, team-first acts, and a memorable goal, while Justin Gross dominated across the ground. Up forward, Levi Lewis kicked six goals with Jude Goldfarb adding three, while Ari Josephburg-Blum and Shlomy Horowitz brought toughness and pressure all day long.
A massive response after a difficult start—and an important reminder of what this team looks like when it reconnects to its identity.
Now comes the biggest test yet: 1 v 2 when AJAX takes on Melbourne High School Old Boys next Sunday.
On to the next one… go JACKAS!