AJAX Senior Footy Club awards make their mark
AFTER a year off, footy returned in a big way for AJAX Footy Club in 2021 in a VAFA season shortened slightly by lockdowns.
On October 14 on Zoom it was time to celebrate the season’s highlights at the club’s awards night, where each round was revisited to tally players’ Best & Fairest points until there was a clear winner.
In the club’s top men’s squad, who finished mid-table in Premier B grade after earning promotion, 30-year-old Richie Simon won his first Best & Fairest Award, accruing 40 points, ahead of runner-up Toby Sheezel (29 points) and Elliot Debinski (22).
Simon, who successfully switched from a forward to the defensive line this season, also won the supporters’ award.
First grade coach Adam Andrews said of Simon, “The commitment and effort he puts in, and the season that he played, was absolutely outstanding.
“He is not only a great player, but a great support to me, so this is greatly deserved.”
Club president Ronnie Lewis described Simon as “just so dominant, taking mark after mark, and penetrating with his long kicks – it’s a pleasure to watch him play”.
Humbly accepting the award, Simon said, “Seeing some of the names on that board, I feel my name on there is a massive honour, and I just want to say thanks.
“I’ve gotten more confident and comfortable down there [in the defensive line], and I’m loving every moment playing for this club.”
Other men’s first grade award winners were captain Nick Lewis (most consistent and determined), Debinski (most improved), Sheezel (most courageous), Nico Cohen (coach’s award), and Noah Webb (best first year player).
The club’s women’s team, which came second in Division 3 when the season finished early, was described by coach Joe Nankin as “tough as hell, and deserving of all the recognition they’re getting tonight”.
“I love seeing our team grow and build, and I really want us to be the preeminent women’s team within AJAX and in the league, and we’re going to get there.”
In the women’s Best and Fairest, third place went to Julia Caplan –who also won the award for most courageous player – second place was shared by Lindi Nankin and Jessica Shustin, and the winner was Annelise Caplan, who the coach described as “tough, uncompromising, and even in times when she wasn’t feeling great, she just got through it and found something extra”.
Kate Taylor was named the best first year Jackettes player, and Shannan Osrin received the coach’s award.
In men’s Premier B reserves, Brandon Efron won the Best and Fairest award, and Corey Schwartz won the coach’s award.
Josh Jones won Best and Fairest player in the Sunday Division 1 Thirds squad, with David Ellinghaus receiving the coach’s award, in a season of improvement.
For the club’s men’s Division 5 Thirds team, which was certain to make the finals if the season hadn’t ended early, Noah Micmacher was named Best and Fairest, and the coach’s award was earned by Josh Peker.
In an emotional address, Ronnie Lewis presented two memorial awards – the inaugural Peter Rockman award for extraordinary service and dedication went to Craig Joel, and the Josh Ferenbach Volunteer of the Year award was received by Jeff Israel.
Both club legends, Ferenbach passed away in 2018, and Rockman in 2020.
Peter Berkowitz and Corey Zielinski shared the Mark Feldy Best Club Person award, and the President’s Trophy was awarded to Alida Lipton.
Player milestones were also celebrated on the night, with players recognised for playing 150 games for the club (Jordan Tonkin, Ryan White), 100 games (Dov Paltiel, Zev Aron, Daniel Cohen, Daniel Janover-Rocha), and 50 games (Julia Caplan, Daniella Abraham, Justine Gabriel, Jess Marget, Hayley Mrocki, Maddy Smart).
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