Jackettes qualify for grand final
IN what was an outstanding weekend of footy for AJAX, its women's team qualified for the 2019 VAFA Division 4 decider by outlasting Richmond Central 4.5 (29) to 0.3 (3) in a preliminary final at Mentone last Sunday, while its Premier C men's team upset third-placed Old Ivanhoe 20.12 (132) to 8.5 (53) in round 14 to enter the top four for the first time this season.
IN what was an outstanding weekend of footy for AJAX, its women’s team qualified for the 2019 VAFA Division 4 decider by outlasting Richmond Central 4.5 (29) to 0.3 (3) in a preliminary final at Mentone last Sunday, while its Premier C men’s team upset third-placed Old Ivanhoe 20.12 (132) to 8.5 (53) in round 14 to enter the top four for the first time this season.
The Jackettes built up a steely wall of defence from the umpire’s opening bounce, which remained impenetrable until the final siren, remarkably keeping Richmond Central goalless.
Major contributors to that feat were AJAX defenders Hayley Mrocki, Amy Sekler, Mikaela Grek and captain Daniella Abraham, who all made the best players’ list for the match, along with Lindi Nankin and Nicole Bryer who enjoyed a feast of possessions.
In attack, AJAX got off to a flyer in the first quarter, despite kicking against a stiff breeze, scoring two goals through Nomi Blum and Maddy Smart.
The next two quarters were rugged affairs that offered almost no attacking opportunities to either side, but the Jackettes were able to seal their win in the fourth quarter when Blum scored her second goal and Jess Marget slotted through another.
The Jackettes will face minor premiers Glen Eira/Old McKinnon in the grand final from 10.30am this Sunday at Mentone Playing Fields (oval 3).
In men’s Premier C, the Jackas have now won more games than they’ve lost, following an inspired 79-point thrashing of Old Ivanhoe last Saturday that lifted them to fourth place with three rounds remaining.
Jordan Cohen, in just his first game for the season, made up for lost time by booting three goals – a goal haul matched by teammates Alex Wollan and the prolific Jake Lew.
Richie Simon celebrated his 150th game by chipping in with two goals.
The Jackas take on fifth-placed Mazenod in another crucial game this Saturday, from 2pm at Central Reserve, Glen Waverley.
Meanwhile, AJAX’s men’s development team also enjoyed a good win last weekend, defeating Old Ivanhoe by 13 points to move up one place to seventh in the reserves competition, and they face sixth-placed Mazenod next.
AJN STAFF
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