AJAX’s powerful pre-game Yom Hashoah commemoration
A moving Yom Hashoah commemoration was held before AJAX's round 3 senior men's footy match at Princes Park.
VAFA ROUND 3
Players from both AJAX and Prahran footy clubs observed a minute’s silence while standing alongside 14 Holocaust survivors, friends, and families, in a moving pre-game ceremony on April 26 at Princes Park that commemorated Yom Hashoah.
During the ceremony – presented by Maccabi Victoria, AJAX, and the Melbourne Holocaust Museum – signs with ‘#justlikeyou’ printed on them were held, to highlight that Jewish people who loved playing sport before the Holocaust, were deprived of that right and many others during the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews were murdered.
Six people – including AJAX seniors captain Nick Lewis – recited personal messages of commemoration, pointing out that they are here today only because one or more grandparents or parents survived the Holocaust.
Ceremony organiser Mel Raleigh – a granddaughter of survivor Tuvia Lipson – said, “The voices of our survivors must be heard, and their warnings to humanity must be heeded”.
“Today, we ask you to reflect on the past, and remember the victims [who perished] . . . carry their spirit and their memories with you, and do them proud.”
The Jackas defeated Prahran in both seniors and reserves, by 85 points and 84 points respectively.
VAFA ROUND 4
Wins, losses, and even a rare draw for AJAX teams
The AJAX seniors remain on top of the VAFA men’s Premier C ladder after four rounds following their solid 14.12 (96) to 11.9 (75) away win over Mazenod.
Despite their line-up having seven changes, and only one player available on the bench by half-time, standout performances by Remy Spicer, Justin Vogel, and seniors debutant Bailey Nussbaum, plus accurate goal-kicking and great defence, saw the Jackas lead by 93-53 at three-quarter time.
Several injuries, and fatigue in the warm conditions, impacted AJAX in the final quarter, but they pulled through for a 21-point win.
Max Herzel, Sam Hendler and Toby Sheezel also had big games for the seniors, who will host PEGS this Saturday from 2pm at Gary Smorgan Oval.
In a thriller in Premier C reserves, AJAX 9.3 (57) had a draw with Mazenod 8.9 (57).
It was a disappointing result, as they had enjoyed a 24-point lead at three-quarter time, but faded late. Ryan Herman was their best on ground.
AJAX’s second-placed Saturday Thirds division 2 side defeated Glen Eira by 24 points, in a rare Friday night away game, in which Jarred Fibishenko starred with 6 goals.
In the tough Premier Thirds competition, winless AJAX needed an away victory over Fitzroy last Sunday to stay in touch with the top four teams, and they achieved that in style.
Playing their best footy so far in 2025, they thumped their opponents 22.14 (146) to 9.9 (63), dominating from beginning to end.
They had 10 goal-scorers, with Amir Meyerowitz leading the way with 5 goals, and first-year player Joel Parasol booting 4.
The club’s newest team, in Thirds division 6, achieved their first win – by 122 to 15 – in a postponed Wednesday night game against Preston, before losing 28 to 65 last Sunday to Caulfield Grammar.
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