Jackas finals hopes dashed

AJAX’S late-season push for a finals berth has all but ended, after its 56-point loss at the home of ladder-leaders Uni Blues on Saturday.

While the Jackas are still a mathematical chance to make the post-season, they would need a huge win next week in the final round against Fitzroy and even then need St Kevins to lose by enough to overturn a 20-point percentage deficit.

Barring a second-quarter lapse, the visitors were gutsy in defeat to the flag favourites, with AJAX debutant Jeremy Forbes and young gun Daniel Cohen starring in defence.

The match began with a milestone for AJAX’s star forward David Fayman, who kicked his 500th career goal with a brilliant snap from the boundary to open up the scoring.

Uni Blues quickly replied with a goal of their own, but minutes later a scuffle broke out in the AJAX forward line, which resulted in Asher Burstin being red-carded and sent from the ground. The free kick was then reversed when Stuart Fayman was struck behind play. His brother, David, goaled and the Jackas took a three-point lead into the first break.

The second quarter proved to be one AJAX would rather forget. Uni Blues slammed on four goals early in the term and opened up a 21-point lead, before the visitors responded through a Richie Simon goal.

Uni Blues were relentless and piled on a further four majors to establish a 37-point lead at the half.

AJAX headed into the third term determined to restore some respectability to the scoreboard, but majors to David Fayman and Burstin were quickly cancelled out by two goals to Uni Blues, maintaining the six-goal margin.

Fayman bagged his fourth early in the final stanza, but Uni Blues added another four goals to close out the match leaving AJAX staring down the barrel of no September action.

The Reserves had a day to forget, with Alon Abraham and Ryan White scoring the team’s only two goals in a 157-point defeat to top-team Uni Blues.

Second-placed Old Carey defeated the Under-19s by 61 points, with Ben Schwartz kicking four goals in the losing effort, while Israel Gutnick was the solitary goal-kicker for the Thirds as ladder-leaders Old Xaverians defeated them by 91 points.

AJAX Seniors play Fitzroy, 2pm Saturday at Gary Smorgon Oval, Albert Park

JEFF SHENKER

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