Fears for Fayman’s future
AJAX endured a weekend from hell, with the seniors' 75-point drubbing compounded by what could be a career-ending knee injury to one of the Jackas' all-time greats, David Fayman. But there was good news in the VFLW, with Toni Hamilton scoring her first goal.
AJAX endured a weekend from hell, with the seniors’ 75-point drubbing compounded by what could be a career-ending knee injury to one of the Jackas’ all-time greats, David Fayman.
The 29-year-old was returning from an ankle injury that he sustained in round four, and lined up in the reserves for the very first time in his storied 175-game career.
The six-time VAFA leading goalkicker moved well early and hit the scoreboard, but shortly after, disaster struck in the cruellest form.
“I was running full tilt, the ground was very wet, a guy bumped me and everything twisted but my foot was stuck … I heard a massive snap in the knee,” Fayman told The AJN.
The team doctor and physios rushed to his aid. “He was in a lot of pain, the stretcher came out and a few senior guys ran onto the field and helped carry him off, which was quite an emotional scene”, AJAX captain Nick Lewis said.
After a nervous few days undergoing X-rays and MRIs, Fayman’s and the club’s worst fears were confirmed on Tuesday with the shattering news that he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, tearing both the lateral and medial ligaments, as well as a bone chip.
Fayman’s knee will require a full reconstruction, which typically is a 12-month rehab process.
Shortly after finding out the news, a “gutted” Fayman said, “[This] could be the end, yes.”
If it proves to be, Fayman or “the Mailman” as he is affectionately known around the club and competition, will go down as one of the finest players to have ever donned the AJAX jumper.
The remarkably gifted forward was always under-sized but used that to his advantage, reigning equally supreme in the air and on the ground.
With his vice-like hands he pulled down countless big marks and his wizardry around goal entertained for over a decade.
His unrivalled footy resume is headlined by a record six Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) goalkicking medals. Only he and one other can lay claim to have won four at Premier B level.
Fayman won back-to-back goalkicking gongs in 2010 and in the club’s famous premiership year in 2011 where he booted 94 majors including five in the grand final win over Werribee.
He cemented his standing as a VAFA great with three consecutive goalkicking medals from 2012 to 2014 and a fourth in 2016 in Premier B.
Five times he kicked 10 goals or more including a career-best haul of 14 in an under-19s match. In his 175-game career for the Jackas, Fayman has amassed 611 goals – an average of 3.5 a game.
Adding insult to injury for the Jackas, the club finds itself back in the dreaded relegation zone after the weekend’s heavy defeat against University Blacks.
Mark “Choco” Williams’ men slipped from 7th to 9th and lost almost five per cent in the 120-45 loss.
“I think Dave’s injury did affect the senior group a little bit, but it would’ve been nice to respond and do it for him … he’s a bloody legend of the footy club,” AJAX captain Nick Lewis said.
Looking ahead, Lewis said, “The boys have set themselves up for a two-week challenge before the bye in July.”
HAMILTON CELEBRATES FIRST VFLW GOAL
MORE sporting history was made in the VFLW on the weekend with Toni Hamilton (pictured left) becoming the first Jewish player to kick a goal in the state competition.
In just her third game, Hamilton’s goal helped the Western Bulldogs register their first ever victory.
Speaking to The AJN after the game, Hamilton said, “It was a great feeling once it went through the big sticks.”
In an inspired move, the 27-year-old was sent forward after half time and it paid immediate dividends.
Meanwhile, the Jewish community’s first ever VFLW player Amy Silver made a remarkable comeback from a serious ankle injury two weeks ahead of schedule for the Southern Saints.
“It was good to get back out there, but I did find it a bit difficult after six weeks out. I’m looking forward to properly getting back into training and getting back to the form I had pre-injury, Silver said.
AARON FETTER
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