Jackas the real deal

AJAX knocked off premiership favourites Caulfield Grammarians in a  thriller at Glenhuntly Oval, coming from behind to win 7.14 (56) to
6.10 (46).

The Jackas trailed all day, but came storming home with the wind in  the last quarter, kicking four unanswered goals to notch up their best  win for the year.

The third-placed Jackas can still finish first or second and secure  the double chance. Ajax and Gram marians sit on 13 wins apiece and  have superior percentage to league-leaders Beaumaris, which is a game  clear on the top of the Premier C ladder. Importantly, heading into  finals, Ajax has beaten both the two top teams in the past three weeks.

Jake Lew continued his good goal-kicking form with three majors for¬† the game, while at the other end of the field, Ajax’s defensive unit¬† was outstanding.

Caulfield made full use of a stiff breeze in the opening term, booting¬† four unanswered goals for the quarter. And it could have been worse if¬† not for some grim defence efforts from the visitors, who impeded¬† Grammarians’ run and forced countless stoppages. Ajax had chances to¬† score too, but wayward kicking kept them scoreless for the term.

At the break, Ajax coach Bernie Sheehy stressed the importance of  accountability and winning the 50-50 contests.

“It’s definitely not going to be easy, and will be messy, so get to¬† the loose ball and get on your men,” he said.

Ajax conceded the first goal of the second quarter but then took¬† control. Ruben Winograd slotted the Jackas’ first major of the day,¬† followed by two set shot finishes from Lew. And the side should have¬† been closer at the long break, but kicked an inaccurate 3.4 to trail¬† by 11 points at half-time.

Sheehy asked his players to make the most of their opportunities¬† against a strong opposition. “We’ve got to play really well and make¬† no mistakes, because we’re not going to get many chances.”

Despite remaining goalless in the third term, Ajax could count the  quarter as a win, restricting Grammarians to just one major for the  term. In fact, Ajax should have eaten into the deficit, but poor  finishing in difficult conditions hampered the side again.

Sheehy urged his team to take the game in the final stanza, telling¬† his side: “We’ve got nothing to lose now, so you’ve got to be brave¬† and don’t panic.”

The Jackas played with the vigour and determination of a serious  premiership contender in the last quarter. They kept Caulfield to just  two behinds, while managing to slot four majors and run away with a  gutsy win.

Lew roved for his third of the day, and Jason Ritterman snapped out of  a pack. Youngster Ash Kalb became the hero, slotting a long bomb from  outside 50 to put Ajax in front for the first time in the game.

Holding onto a four-point lead, the Jackas almost conceded a late  goal, before gun midfielder Eugene Routman sealed the win with the  final goal of the day.

The Reserves went down to Caulfield Grammarians, only managing two  goals for the day, losing 2.5 (17) to 8.10 (58). The Under-19s are  back in the top four, after a solid defeat over Old Haileybury,  winning 11.11 (77) to 6.5 (41).

ASHLEY SHENKER