Senior Jackas triumph in 2025 footy prelim final
Jackas seniors co-captain Kane Nissenbaum played his 100th game in their prelim final win against Parkdale.
Having edged St Bedes by five points in a VAFA men’s Premier C elimination semi-final, the fourth-placed AJAX’s seniors knocked out another heavyweight opponent, ladder leader Parkdale, on September 14 at Trevor Barker Beach Oval in convincing fashion, to earn a grand final berth.
But that wasn’t the only reward for the Lachie Buszard-coached Jackas for their 14.13 (97) to 6.16 (52) win.
They also earned promotion in 2026 to Premier B, along with their grand final opponents from 2.30pm this Sunday at the same venue, Beaumaris.
The prelim final win also happened to be co-captain Kane Nissenbaum’s 100th game for AJAX Footy Club, and he and Justin Vogel kicked three goals each while co-captain Corey Zielinski was solid at half back.
It was Joel Parasol’s debut seniors game, and he rose to the occasion, kicking two goals.
Jordan Cohen also scored two, and veteran Nick Lewis, in-form young full forward Max Herzel, Remy Spicer and Bailey Nussbaum contributed a goal each.
With a strong breeze at their backs, the Jackas set the tone with an attacking mindset, scoring the first 21 points, and they led by 41-6 after one quarter.
Both sides scored 13 points in an even second quarter, marked by solid Jackas defence.
AJAX outscored Parkdale five goals to one in the third quarter, before easing off a little, to win by 45 points.
Nissenbaum said the win was a perfect way to mark his 100th game.
“It was special, as my first game was in 2016, and it’s been a long journey, with periods off the field with injury.”
He was full of praise for Parasol’s selection, “who has had a great month”.
He added that winning clearances and contested footy – key strengths of the team – were crucial and praised ruckman Jake Wrobel and Herzel, “who both gave us many first touches, allowing our midfielders to dominate”.
Describing earning promotion to Premier B after a two-year absence as “an exciting achievement for the club”, Nissenbaum said there’ll be time to think about that later.
“We’ve still got a job to do first – trying to win this Sunday’s grand final.
“We are quietly confident we can win if we play our absolute best, but we do have a lot of respect for our opponent, who I think have been the best team all season.”