Aron and Paltiel reach 150 senior games for AJAX

A big commemorative banner, specially-made t-shirts, a good turnout at Gary Smorgon Oval on August 9 despite the rain, and a dream start to their men’s premier thirds penultimate round match against Uni Blues ensured the milestone 150th games for both Zev Aron and Dov Paltiel were marked in style.

All that was missing was a win, but the top Jackas Sunday team almost got that too, only losing by two points, 7.4 (46) to 7.6 (48).

And with just one more regular season round left – this weekend – in their competition, they have already secured third place and a spot in a sudden death semi.

It was fitting that Paltiel scored the first two goals of the game, and was embraced by all his teammates after each one.

For most of his 150 games, the versatile Paltiel played for the AJAX senior and reserves sides on Saturdays, including significant stints in the forwards, before joining the club’s top Sunday squad – captained by Aron – at the start of this season, when he shifted to half back.

But by chance, a sore foot last Sunday saw him play the first quarter in the forward pocket, and he made the most of it.

“I hadn’t stepped inside 50, or scored a goal, so far this season, so to kick the first two goals was unreal,” Paltiel said.

“150 games does feel pretty surreal, and it’s pretty cool that I’ve got to play with so many teammates – it could be in the triple digits.

“It’s pretty special that it was Zevi’s 150th too. He is a couple of years older, but we’ve been mates since we were at Yeshivah, which is a pretty small, close-knit school, where we used to play lunchtime footy.”

Aron – a three-time AJAX Best & Fairest award recipient who has been influential in growing the club’s two Sunday teams – described the milestone as “very special, and an amazing day all round for me and Dovi, and it was beautiful to have all our families there too.

“The only downside was not getting the win, and an injury to my shoulder [the severity of which will be determined by scans].

“But we will still finish third, and feel that if we can put together our best footy, we can beat anyone.”

They will play their likely sudden death semi-final opponent, Old Trinity, in the last regular season round, which Paltiel labelled “a positive”.

Meanwhile, the second AJAX Sunday side remains in top spot in thirds division 4, after a thumping 21.10 (136) to 5.3 (33) win over Wattle Park.

Showing no mercy in any quarter, they did not concede a goal in the first half, and scored at will at the other end, including Doron Segal and Levi Lewis booting 11 goals between them.

Also winning last weekend were the AJAX Saturday thirds division 3 team, who cemented fourth spot when edging Williamstown – who had hammered them just six weeks prior – by 6.7 (43) to 4.11 (35).

In a close contest, Toby Flinkier’s three goals in the final quarter proved decisive.

In Premier B footy, the Jackas are now sixth – in seniors and reserves – after heavy losses to Beaumaris last Saturday, but are only one win behind fourth, with three rounds left.

Both will look to bounce back when away to Old Camberwell on August 15.