AJAX Stars shine in junior footy grand final
The AJAX Stars won their U13 division 5 boys’ grand final by just four points in a thriller versus Murrumbeena, at Walter Galt Reserve, Mordialloc, last Sunday.
After a goalless first quarter in which the only point came from a behind to Murrumbeena, the Stars shone in the remaining three quarters, scoring one goal in each, while their opponents could only score a goal in the third and fourth quarters.
Benji Basist, Ethan Katz and Zac Linnow were the Stars’ goal-scorers, and their best on ground were Basist, Katz, Oz Eckstein, Hugo Kolliner, Miles Rubin and Dean Waters.
It was an even match until the last part of the fourth quarter, when a goal to Katz sealed the win, and the entire team defended brilliantly until full-time.
The Stars drew inspiration from their reigning Best&Fairest winner Theo Edelstein, who was out injured.
The final score was AJAX Stars 3.5 (23) and Murrumbeena 2.7 (19).
The U12 division 1 girls’ grand final was also a close contest, with the East Brighton Vampires 4.4 (32) outlasting the AJAX Comets 3.0 (18) at Woodruff Oval, Port Melbourne.
The Comets kicked the first goal to lead 6-0 at the first break, but couldn’t score in a second quarter dominated by the Vampires, who scored three goals and two behinds to lead AJAX by 14 points.
To their credit, the Comets players never gave up, outscoring East Brighton two goals to one goal and two behinds to narrow their deficit to 10 points at three-quarter time.
But the Vampires scored the only points in the final quarter – four behinds – to win by 14.
During the whole regular season, the Vampires only lost one match, and it was to the Comets.
Goal-scorers for the Comets were Issi Milchman (2) and Eve Lewinsohn.
Their best on ground were Siena Fridman, India Hoppe, Lewinsohn, Indiana Lewski, Milchman, and Lexi Stub.
And in the U14 division 5 mixed/boys’ preliminary final at Le Page Park Oval in Cheltenham, the AJAX Jets’ successful season came to an end, with a narrow 6.7 (43) to 7.9 (51) loss to St Kilda City.
Six players scored goals for the Jets, and their best on ground were Jesse Felman, Felix Fink, Noa Fridman, Jacob Kempler, Dale Nathan, and James Rotstein.
The junior club’s awards presentation will be held at The National Theatre on October 23 from 4pm.
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