Jackas season comes to an end

ASHLEY SHENKER

AJAX’s season is over after a depleted side went down in a heart-stopper to seventh-placed Parkdale 9.6 (60) to 5.13 (43) in blustery conditions at Gary Smorgon Oval on the weekend.

With injuries and absences crippling the side, the team was comprised mainly of reserves players, but after trailing at every change, it looked as though the Jackas might pull off a stunning come-from-behind win late in the game. But a controversial umpiring decision gifted the visitors the sealer in the dying minutes, snuffing out hopes of a unlikely win.

It was the usual suspects leading from the front, with Gary Blieden, Josh Kalmus, Daniel Freed and Sam Bruce among AJAX’s best.

Despite registering a solitary point in the first quarter, AJAX did a terrific job of restricting Parkdale to only two goals, the visitors kicking with a strong wind. Undermanned and lacking in height, AJAX struggled to keep control of Parkdale’s talls, however the smaller players did well to attack the ball on the ground.

It was a different story in the second term, as the Jackas got first use of the footy, and registered their first major of the game through Josh Sacks. However, Parkdale hit back with two of its own. The midfield piled on the pressure, and it paid off when Josh Givoni marked and goaled, using the wind to his advantage. In a tough, in-and-under quarter of footy, the Jackas gained control and kicked their third when Sacks roved for another goal. But disaster struck for the Jackas when Mark Segal left the ground, with an ankle injury, Parkdale capitalising with a late goal to lead by nine points at the long break.

Parkdale slotted an early goal to start the third quarter, but the home side lifted its intensity in an effort to restrict Parkdale from kicking away. David Fayman out-marked his minder to reduce the deficit to less than two goals. But Parkdale was gifted a goal with a questionable free kick late in the quarter to extend its lead.

The Jackas lifted at the start of the term and kicked a goal to get within two kicks, before the game was turned on its head when a controversial decision went the way of Parkdale deep in their forward 50. The resultant goal put the game out of reach for AJAX.

The severely undermanned reserves were smashed by Parkdale 14.12 (96) to 2.4 (16), while the under-19 side held on to top spot with a gutsy win against Old mentonians 8.7 (55) to 5.7 (37).

AJAX: 0.1 3.8 4.9 5.13(43)

Parkdale: 2.5 5.5 7.6 9.6(60)

Goals: Sacks 2, Givoni 2, Fayman.

Best: Freed, Blieden, Klein, Bruce, Hershan, J Kalmus.

AJAX plays Mazenod on Saturday at 2pm.

Central Reserve, Glen Waverley (Melway: 71 C5)