Jackas seniors win in Lipton’s 100th game

Toby Lipton’s 100th game for AJAX went perfectly to script at Gary Smorgon Oval last Saturday, with the much-admired player having a typically strong match, in a classy 11.15 (81) to 6.6 (42) VAFA men’s Premier C seniors round 12 win over Mazenod.

The senior Jackas trailed by 10 points after the first quarter, but took complete control in the third quarter, booting four goals and only conceding three behinds.

Aaron Bryer was best on ground, Max Herzel top-scored with three goals, and Justin Vogel and Jonty Israel kicked two goals each.

The win kept AJAX equal on competition points with second-placed Beaumaris, and they will enjoy a short break before travelling to fourth-placed St Bedes/Mentone on July 26.

Team co-captain Corey Zielinski – who hopes to return from a knee injury in round 16 – told The AJN that he and Bryer delivered speeches paying tribute to Lipton’s almost decade-long seniors footy journey in a special pre-match presentation, “and it was very well-deserved”.