AJAX Falcons fly high to win U18 boys div 3 flag

In a fairytale outcome in the SMJFL U17/18 boys’ division 3 grand final on Sunday, September 6 – and an example of what hard work, belief, and teamwork can do – the AJAX Falcons won the flag by comprehensively defeating the Hampton-East Sandringham Rovers by 8.13 (61) to 4.7 (31) at Souter Reserve.

The Rovers had not been beaten all season, while the Falcons had a horror start to theirs, losing their first six games, including the first four in a higher division.

But the Falcons then staged a remarkable turnaround to finish second, by only losing one more regular season game, while notching five wins and one draw.

And although they’d been outplayed by the Rovers a fortnight ago in a qualifying final, the Falcons gained enormous confidence from beating Ormond by 23 points in the preliminary final.

After a tight first quarter in a decider that featured willing defence by both sides, the AJAX boys led the Rovers 7-4.