Jackas thirds win their first prelim final
'We've worked really hard, and have this crack at a premiership,' Jackas premier thirds captain Zev Aron said.
In front of cheering fans in the Elsternwick Park stands last Sunday (August 24), AJAX Footy Club’s VAFA premier thirds men’s team overcame a poor start, and an even poorer preliminary final track record, to prevail by 12 points over St Bernards, and earn a spot in their first ever grand final in thirds footy.
“We definitely had a big celebration in the sheds afterwards, and we had such amazing support, cheering us on, which we’re very grateful for,” the team’s captain, Zev Aron, said.
“This is a huge first for us as a squad, as we’d been in that position [a preliminary final] quite a few times before, and lost.
“Actually, this was our sixth prelim final, and our third in a row, and now we’ve finally won one, and go through to a grand final.
“We’re pumped, and we’d love another big crowd this Sunday.”
The Jackas will face VAFA men’s premier thirds ladder leaders Old Xaverians at Elsternwick Park from 2.30pm on August 31.
Photo: Yaakov Frenkel Photography
Although they lost to Old Xaverians by 36 points last time they played them, the Jackas will take confidence from the resilience and tenacity they demonstrated in their gutsy win over St Bernards last Sunday, and as Aron told The AJN, “We’ve worked really hard all season to be where we are now, and have this crack at a premiership.”
St Bernards led AJAX by 33-20 at the end of the first quarter, but the Jackas remained composed, and applied relentless pressure to regain the momentum in the second quarter, in which they outscored their opponent by four goals to one, to lead by five points at the main break.
“They got the jump on us at the start, but we then settled into the game, and were able to peg our way back,” Aron said.
“The third quarter was very tough and even, but about a minute before three-quarter time, we got four points in front with a goal by Jacob Epstein.
“Then with about 10 seconds left in that quarter, St Bernards were about to go inside 50, but I was able to do a big smother.
“We were then able to get up in the last quarter with a few more goals.
“Amir [Meyerowitz] kicked five goals, Joel Parasol had a great game, as did Gabe [Jotkowitz] and many others.
“Now we can look forward to this Sunday.”