Jackas slay giant killers
LEAGUE leader AJAX held off giant killers Old Camberwell 9.70 (64) to 6.6 (42) in a gruelling encounter at Albert Park at the weekend.
LEAGUE leader AJAX held off giant killers Old Camberwell 9.70 (64) to 6.6 (42) in a gruelling encounter at Albert Park at the weekend.
The strong wind played havoc with the skills of both teams in a game dominated by defence.
Warren Steinberg continued his superlative form, while Michael Shafar justified his selection, thwarting many Old Camberwell attacks and, along with Nick Marks, rebounded strongly from the back half. In the absence of Jarrod White, Adam Spencer-Laitt carried the rucking load and held his own against two opposition big men. Jake Lew started superbly with three of his four goals coming in the first term, while leading goal-kicker David Fayman added three for the day.
Kicking with the aid of a strong wind, Jason Ritterman and Steinberg were instrumental in setting up several of AJAX’s forays. Lew was dominant close to goal, with Fayman the other goal-kicker for the Jackas as Old Camberwell struggled with the breeze and the home side’s miserly defence, managing just 1.1.
After sloppy play by the AJAX defence handed Old Camberwell the first goal of the second quarter, veteran Nick Gold lifted his side with a great smother to stop a certain goal.
In a scrappy affair, the visitors rose to the challenge and at the main break were just seven points in arrears.
Lew marked strongly and kicked his fourth to open the third quarter, with Josh Mendies snapping a great goal soon after to extend AJAX’s lead. Old Camberwell hit back against the play, but the Jackas responded through Fayman, who kicked the next two. A strong mark and goal after the siren to the visitors reduced the deficit to 21 points at the final change.
As the wind picked up, Old Camberwell got the first goal of the term, following a strong grab in the goal square and looked as though it might take the fight to the home side. But it would be the visitors’ last for the match as AJAX defended grimly and kicked another goal into the wind to complete the gutsy win.
AJAX plays Melbourne High on Saturday at 2pm. Melbourne High School
(Melway J3 2).
PETER KAGAN
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