Rampant Jackas hunt Unicorns
AJAX has achieved six wins from as many games, scoring a 12.15 (87) to 3.6 (24) win over demoted B-grade side Melbourne High School Old Boys at the weekend.
AJAX has achieved six wins from as many games, scoring a 12.15 (87) to 3.6 (24) win over demoted B-grade side Melbourne High School Old Boys at the weekend.
There were plenty of positives for the Jackas, with tall timber Jason Samuel and boom recruit Ollie Ford both making their senior debuts, while the mercurial Josh Mendies made a welcome return. The Jackas punished the Unicorns, getting plenty of goals from their midfield, while restricting the visitors to a measly six behinds after quarter time.
Melbourne High burst out of the blocks in the opening exchanges, kicking three of the first four goals. Superstar midfielder Evgeni Routman continued his outstanding form, bagging the first for the Jackas, before forward Jake Lew snagged a couple of early goals.
Ford’s forward pressure was a major highlight of the term, and did enough to suggest he will be key to the Jackas as the season wears on. Jason Ritterman was back to his brilliant best across the wing and found plenty of the football as the Jackas pushed out to a 15-point lead at quarter time.
It was the defenders who stole the show in the second quarter as Warren Steinberg and Geoff Measey put on a clinic in the backline. They suffocated the Melbourne High forwards with fantastic pressure, also attacking with poise when AJAX had the ball. Measey even managed to snag a goal with a long bomb from 50 late in the half.
The highlight of the quarter came when Mendies justified his selection in the ones, showing supreme courage by running back with the flight and snaring a screamer on the last line of defence.
Melbourne High’s frustrations began to show, with a player being shown a yellow card for umpire abuse. Conversely, the Jackas didn’t lose their cool and continued to go about their business, resulting in a five-goal lead at the long break.
AJAX put the game beyond doubt in the so-called premiership quarter, as Ritterman began to dominate. His run and carry was scintillating, personified with a long run and goal into a stiff wind. Josh Sacks started to exert his influence and Samuel showed plenty of promise playing in the ruck.
Sharpshooter David Fayman continued to be manhandled by his bigger opponent, but managed to slot through his first of the day as AJAX skipped away to a 40-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Jackas finished strongly, with goals to Marcus Jankie and another to Ritterman, the win drawing high praise from coach Bernie Sheehy, who was delighted with his side’s defensive effort.
The resurgent reserves were again inspiring, belting Melbourne High 16.11 (107) to 5.3 (33) without a host of key regulars, while the under-19s were spiflicated by Old Haileybury 22.19 (151) to 6.5 (41).
The Club 18 Warriors could not continue their winning form, losing to Old Geelong 9.11 (65) to 6.9 (45).
AJAX plays Mazenod on Saturday at 2pm at Central Reserve (Melway 71 C5).
JOEL MARKOFF
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