Jackas routed
AJAX was taught a football lesson at the weekend when they were belted by University Blacks at Gary Smorgon Oval 12.26 (98) to 2.10 (22).
AJAX was taught a football lesson at the weekend when they were belted by University Blacks at Gary Smorgon Oval 12.26 (98) to 2.10 (22).
The loss was AJAX’s second in as many weeks and there were worrying signs for the home side, which was held goalless for three quarters in slippery conditions, before slotting their only two majors of the match in the final term.
It was a bad day for the club, which lost convincingly in all four of its home matches.
Coach Bernie Sheehy made six changes to the senior side, including debutant Jason Tendler and the returning Jarrod White, who replaced injured big-man Jason Seidl.
Defenders Geoff Measey and Nick Marks toiled manfully in the tough conditions, while midfielders Warren Steinberg and Eugene Routman worked tirelessly in a side that was beaten in most positions on the ground.
Despite a positive start by the Jackas, who had all the play for the first 15 minutes, Blacks managed the only goal of the term and went five points ahead at the first break.
The Jackas continued to struggle to get clean use of the ball in the secede term as their opponents stretched the lead to 29 points at the main break.
AJAX started brightly in the third term, but was unable to capitalise yet again, with poor delivery to forwards Jake Lew and David Fayman.
It went from bad to worse as Marks left the field with a serious injury and the visitors stretched the margin to 54 points at the last break.
But the Jackas persevered, with Fayman and Brad Caplan both kicking truly.
The weekend was one to forget for the club, as the Reserves scored only one goal in its 59-point loss, while the Thirds went down by 73 points and the Under-19s by 89.
AJAX play Werribee Districts at 2.00pm on Saturday at Soldiers Reserve (Melway: 206 A9)
YARIV FREED
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