Coaches
Senior Men Head Coach
Lachlan Buszard
Lachie has over 20 years’ experience in the elite sports environment in Australian Rules Football. A a strategic thinker who has an ability to bring people together for a common goal, creating positive environments and relationships that foster a culture of excellence.
Lachie was the inaugural Head Coach and Manager of the GWS Giants Development Academy. As one of the early pioneers of the GWS Giants, he was involved with the establishment of the football department which including recruitment, relocation and welfare of the playing group and general day to day coaching and operations. Lachie was a line coach in the inaugural GWS NEAFL team and had several academy players make AFL lists over his time in this role.
As a level 3 High Performance AFL Coach, he has championed elite talent identification and has worked with and alongside many industry leaders including Kevin Sheedy, Mark (Choco) Williams and Leon Cameron.
Lachie is a Premiership coach at the UTS Bats in Sydney’s Premier Competition and has overseen the football programs at both Blackburn FC (in the Eastern FNL) and Xavier College (for 4 years) where he was the Head of Football. He has also held various roles with both Casey and Sandringham in the VFL.
We welcome Lachie and his family to AJAX FC.
Senior Men Assistant Coach
Evan Lukas
We are excited to welcome Evan Lukas to AJAX.
Evan Lukas joins the men's senior team as an assistant coach to Lachlan Buszard. Evan is a PhysEd teacher and has been involved in football for close to 30 years. Having played in the QAFL and has had coaching involvements including 10 Grand Finals. Evan's philosophy is to build strong meaningful relationships with players & the coaching team and creating a safe environment for people to take risks and be the best version of themselves. Besides having fun he believes in teaching and learning through empowerment of the players and coaches. Evan will be a great addition to the coaching team.
We welcome Evan and his family to our Club.
Head of High Performance & Reserves Head Coach
Rob Paterson
We are pleased to welcome Rob Paterson back to AJAX. Rob is the Head of High Performance and Coach of the Development/Reserves Team. Rob coached the AJAX Reserves in 2016/2017 (2015 Senior Assistant Coach) and since then has coached with Old Scotch and University Blacks. With his football knowledge and expertise in High Performance, Rob is a great fit for the development of the reserves players as well as overseeing a High Performance program at the Club.
"There is no greater reward than being part of a group that works to achieve their goals and assisting the individuals to be their best within the team structure".
Reserves Assistant Coach
Rubin Winograd
Rubin is passionate about sport and the Jewish community. He played AJAX juniors, under 19's and nine years for AJAX seniors. Through his time at AJAX, Rubin has made life long friends and values the importance of community sport and its ability to bring people together.
You only get out what you put in, and Rubin is thankful for what the club gave him and he is keen to give back and play his role. As much as he misses playing football, Rubin still plays basketball and squash, going on hiking trips and spending time with friends and family.
Go dees and jackas!!
Womens Head Coach
Michael Ford
After working at a number of schools including Mt Scopus Memorial College, Michael has an extensive background in developing footballers of all ages. He has coached men and women’s programs in semi professional, school level and at community club environments. He has a background in a variety of sports having played Football and Australian Rules professionally.
His coaching credentials include Assistant Coach Sandringham FC, Oakleigh FC, Springvale FC Premiers 1995, Melbourne Grammar (2 Premierships) 1999-2014, Casey Demons Defensive line Coach & Williamstown FC Development Coach.
Michael has given an undertaking to provide a strong learning environment while ensuring that the women’s program maintains its strong links to community including developing the women into being ‘simply better’.
Saturday Thirds Coach
Adam Micmacher
Coach A takes us into the third year of coaching the Saturday thirds. Former AJAX player and now Premiership Coach alongside Cookie, Adam brings much experience to coaching. Giving the players much joy in playing football, his weekly Droshas are much relished, spurning the team on to the next week's match.
Saturday Thirds Coach
Antony Klooger
Antony (Cookie) Klooger former player, Club Captain and Best & Fairest winner and Premiership Coach joins the Saturday Thirds again to coach the team in 2024. Cookie brings his football knowledge and expertise to the role and is a real asset to the team and the Club.
Sunday Thirds Coach
Ryan White
Ryan is an AJAX man through and through, having played juniors, U19's in 2011 and been a part of the senior program since 2012. Having played 160 games and kicking 142 goals, he retired from playing midway through season 2022, Whitey has transitioned to a coaching role.
He has been coaching sport for over 15 years - both football and basketball and is excited to begin this new chapter in his and the Club's timeline. Moving to Head Coach Sunday Thirds Team in 2024 gives Ryan the opportunity to shape many exciting new players as well as experienced players in that team.