Jackas move clear of drop zone
AJAX has gone 12 points clear of the relegation zone, with a 13.6 (84) to 11.10 (76) win over Oakleigh at Gary Smorgon Oval on the weekend. In a see-sawing affair, the Jackas held on in the dying stages to record a hugely important win heading into the final five games of the year. Marcus Jankie was superb in the midfield, while David Fayman and Geoff Measey impressed at either end of the ground. The hosts struggled early in the match, with Oakleigh breaking the deadlock after several minutes of scrappy play. Fayman then got the Jackas on the board with one of his six goals for the game, before skipper Gary Blieden gave the home team the lead with a long bomb. But the visitors then kicked three goals to Jake Lew’s one to take a seven-point advantage into the first break. After conceding the opening goal of the second term, the Jackas piled on six majors to one to take full control of the game. Fayman kicked three for the quarter, while Adam Trytell, Ashley Kalb and Brad Caplan all snapped truly to give the Jackas a 23-point lead at the main break. However, the visitors launched an all-out attack after half-time, keeping AJAX to just one behind for the term and adding four goals of their own to take a narrow lead at three-quarter-time. With everything to play for in the last period, it was AJAX that gained the upper hand early, with Caplan spectacularly weaving around three players and kicking truly to give the home side the lead. Oakleigh found an answer at the other end, but couldn’t contain the Jackas, who ran out victors thanks to majors from Jankie and Fayman. The Reserves were beaten heavily in their match against Oakleigh, losing 16.15 (111) to 6.5 (41). Youngsters Adam Lerner and Michael Feiler kicked two goals each, while David Wloszczowski and Michael Shafar battled hard all day. AJAX hosted a pre-game lunch in conjunction with the St Kilda Football Club, discussing the history of the red, white and black guernsey. Current Saints players Jason Blake and Warwick Andreoli, as well as board member John Gdanski and fan development manager Rory Sackville were in attendance. AJAX plays University Blacks at 2pm on Saturday at Melbourne University Oval (Melway: 2 D5).
AJAX has gone 12 points clear of the relegation zone, with a 13.6 (84) to 11.10 (76) win over Oakleigh at Gary Smorgon Oval on the weekend.
In a see-sawing affair, the Jackas held on in the dying stages to record a hugely important win heading into the final five games of the year.
Marcus Jankie was superb in the midfield, while David Fayman and Geoff Measey impressed at either end of the ground.
The hosts struggled early in the match, with Oakleigh breaking the deadlock after several minutes of scrappy play.
Fayman then got the Jackas on the board with one of his six goals for the game, before skipper Gary Blieden gave the home team the lead with a long bomb.
But the visitors then kicked three goals to Jake Lew’s one to take a seven-point advantage into the first break.
After conceding the opening goal of the second term, the Jackas piled on six majors to one to take full control of the game.
Fayman kicked three for the quarter, while Adam Trytell, Ashley Kalb and Brad Caplan all snapped truly to give the Jackas a 23-point lead at the main break.
However, the visitors launched an all-out attack after half-time, keeping AJAX to just one behind for the term and adding four goals of their own to take a narrow lead at three-quarter-time.
With everything to play for in the last period, it was AJAX that gained the upper hand early, with Caplan spectacularly weaving around three players and kicking truly to give the home side the lead.
Oakleigh found an answer at the other end, but couldn’t contain the Jackas, who ran out victors thanks to majors from Jankie and Fayman.
The Reserves were beaten heavily in their match against Oakleigh, losing 16.15 (111) to 6.5 (41). Youngsters Adam Lerner and Michael Feiler kicked two goals each, while David Wloszczowski and Michael Shafar battled hard all day.
AJAX hosted a pre-game lunch in conjunction with the St Kilda Football Club, discussing the history of the red, white and black guernsey. Current Saints players Jason Blake and Warwick Andreoli, as well as board member John Gdanski and fan development manager Rory Sackville were in attendance.
AJAX plays University Blacks at 2pm on Saturday at Melbourne University Oval (Melway: 2 D5).
ASHLEY SHENKER
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