Jackas dominate rival
THE AJAX Football Club made light work of bottom-placed Oakleigh on the weekend, beating its old rival to the tune of 43 points.
THE AJAX Football Club made light work of bottom-placed Oakleigh on the weekend, beating its old rival to the tune of 43 points.
Jake Lew starred for the Jackas with six goals, taking his tally to 19 for the year, and the win – the side’s third of the season – sees it in seventh spot on the ladder.
AJAX midfielders Gary Blieden, Marcus Jankie and Josh Ludski dominated in the centre, while defenders Warren Steinberg and Adam Caplan lead several counterattacks.
The Jackas piled on the pressure early, but were unable to capitalise up forward, missing several shots at goal. Nadav Harel finally broke through for the side, before Lew followed suit shortly after, finding himself on the end of a great build-up from Nick Marks.
In the absence of full forward David Fayman, Lew continued to assert his authority, slotting two more for the term.
As Oakleigh struggled to get the ball in its forward half, Evgeni Routman then snapped truly to extend AJAX’s lead to six goals at quarter time.
The Jackas continued their inaccuracy at goal in the second term, and their opposition made them pay at the other end.
Oakleigh took full control of the game, dominating in midfield and putting the AJAX defence under the pump.
Routman goaled against the run of play with a superb running major, but it didn’t stop the hosts’ momentum as Oakleigh booted four goals to one, reducing the margin to 15 points at the main break.
At half-time, coach Bernie Sheehy told his charges not to panic and to regain their ascendance and intensity at the ball.
It was a nervous start to the third term for AJAX, who conceded the first goal, before Lew registered his side’s first for the quarter. Daniel Freed and Ludski then linked together through the middle, and AJAX regained the momentum when Routman slotted another running goal.
Young gun Jason Tendler then stepped up, slotting two goals and having a hand in two more.
Majors to Adam Trytell, Marks and Lew allowed AJAX to blow the margin out to seven goals at the final break.
Tendler was able to seal the game with the first goal of the last term, while Lew took his tally to six for the day as the Jackas recorded a convincing win.
The Reserves recorded a comfortable 29-point victory, kicking away in the last quarter, with Ashley Kalb and Dean Steinberg starring.
The Thirds battled hard against University Blacks, but the depleted side fell short, as several under-19 players were among the best.
AJAX plays Beaumaris at 2pm on Saturday at Banksia Reserve (Melway: 86 E7).
YARIV FREED
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