Jackas lose tight Premier C grand final to Sharks

A red hot start last Sunday at Trevor Barker Beach Oval in the VAFA men’s Premier C grand final by premiership favourites the Beaumaris Sharks, saw them establish a 17-point lead that proved too difficult to claw back for a determined, brave, but depleted AJAX outfit last Sunday.

In front of a big crowd despite the intermittent drizzle, a Jackas squad missing key injured players Maor Chrapot, Benji Krongold and co-captain Corey Zielinski – and featuring eight players aged under 21 – matched the Sharks for the remainder of the game.

The Jackas would have won the second quarter if not for a goal scored by the Sharks after the siren, but before the umpire blew his whistle.

Whenever the Sharks got 30 or more points in front, the Jackas fought back.

The third quarter was tied, and the Sharks won the last quarter by just a point, to prevail by 12.9 (81) to 8.12 (60).

Elliot Debinksi played his 100th game for AJAX and made their Best on Ground top six list, as did 17-year-old Jonty Israel, 20-year-old Nick Pike, veteran and former captain Nick Lewis, and 2-goal kicker Noah Spitz.

Jordan Cohen, and Joel Parasol also kicked 2 goals, while Manny Micmacher – who a week earlier played in a winning U18 AJAX grand final – also got to play in a men’s decider.

Co-captain Kane Nissenbaum congratulated the Sharks in the post-match presentation.

“They were too good today, but credit to our boys too – we fought really hard, and we’ll keep working hard.”

Jackas head coach Lachie Buszard told The AJN that while any grand final loss hurts, there’s so much to be proud of about what the squad achieved all season, throughout the finals series, and the exciting prospect of what such a youthful team can achieve next year, having been promoted to Premier B.

“It was disappointing not to win a grand final, and it only came down to a few moments in each quarter, but at the same time, we had some key players out, and some youngsters came in, against the best side in the competition, who have five VFL-listed players in their squad,” Buszard said.

“I’m really proud of this whole group, who have had a tremendous season.

“To be as competitive and combative and capable – regularly winning the contests and clearances – as they were in the grand final, will serve us well.

“Having so many young and fast players is really exciting, heading into a pre-season in which we’ve earned promotion – these kids have now got a taste of finals footy, and because of their age, there’s really no ceiling in terms of where they can go.”

Buszard also praised the team’s older and more experienced squad members.

“Players like Nick [Lewis] and Elliot (Debinski) and others – you also need that experience in your squad, so it’s a fine balance.”