Fayman dozen undoes Dons

A SCINTILLATING 12-goal haul from David Fayman has helped AJAX bounce back from its first defeat with a thumping win against fifth-placed Old Essendon at the weekend.

Missing stars Evgeni Routman and Ari Lewski, the Jackas romped to a massive 22.8 (140) to 9.8 (62) win, brushing aside a wayward start in front of goal to outscore Old Essendon 8.0 to 1.2 in the third term, and 13 straight after half-time.

Earlier in the week, five AJAX players were named in the Big V state team squad, with Ari Lewski, Jason Ritterman, Fayman, Warren Steinberg and Evgeni Routman all recognised for their outstanding seasons.

Ritterman was unstoppable on the wings, while ruckman Adam Laitt gave the AJAX midfield first use. The side’s defensive unit of Nick Marks, Steinberg and Geoff Measey suffocated the Old Essendon forwards, and Corey Jankie ran the ball out of the back half with aplomb.

With first use of the tricky, blustery wind, the Jackas could have put the match out of the home side’s grasp but for some missed opportunities. The exception was Fayman, who kicked three for the term, including two from great snaps, before Old Essendon hit back with two of its own late in the quarter, reducing the margin to 25 points at the first break.

AJAX were sublime during the first half of the second quarter, adding four goals despite kicking into the teeth of a stiff breeze. But when Jackas defender Measey was given a red card and sent off for deliberately shaking the goal post, Old Essendon took full toll of the man advantage, booting the last four of the half to reduce the deficit to 23 at half-time.

Despite being a man short for the first 10 minutes of the third term, AJAX started brilliantly with Fayman adding to his first-half tally of five in the opening minutes and had eight by the end of the quarter. His forward partner Jake Lew booted all three of his goals for the game in the term as the Jackas blew the home side out of the water with some glorious footy. Captain Gary Bleiden capped off a great quarter with a trademark bone-crunching tackle, before collecting the loose ball and kicking an inspirational goal.

Premier C’s leading goalkicker, Fayman completed his clinic in the final stanza with another four majors as AJAX stormed home to record a whopping 78-point win.

Now at the half-way mark of the season, AJAX enjoys a four-game buffer over the five sides immediately below it, which all have four wins in 2011.

AJAX reserves continued their good form with an 81-point thumping over Old Essendon. Josh Berlinski dazzled with six goals while Sam Chester kicked three. Nadav Harel, Stuart Fayman and Yannai Lang were among the best, while Ryan Winston impressed on debut.

The under-19s were outclassed by Collegians to the tune of 70 points, but the margin was not an indication of the effort from the side. Simon, Rischin and Ludski were in the best.

AJAX plays Fitzroy on Saturday at 2pm. Gary Smorgon Oval (Melway J7 57).

PETER KAGAN