AJAX START WITH A WIN!AJAX Football Club scored an impressive home win against Old Brighton in its eagerly awaited first match for 2012. This was A J A X ’ s fi r s t m a t c h i n Premiership B Grade since 2007.

Coach Bernie Sheehy was keen to introduce fresh blood into the team - there were 4 debutants (Matthew Kaye, Richie Simon, Jared Ludski and David Burns) and no less than 9 new faces from the C Grade Premiership team of 2011.

The first quarter saw AJAX’s promising pre-season for m continue. It only took a few seconds into the opening quarter for 100 game midfield superstar Evgeni Routman to make his presence felt– a typical dashing run and superb delivery into the forward line.

After a tight struggle for the first 5 minutes, the next 15 minutes were the David “Hollywood” Fayman show with 3 goals and an assist. Fayman’s three goals came from excellent passes from Marcus Jankie, Warren Steinberg and Adam Caplan. Gary Blieden and Routman were teaming well in the middle and the match was played predominantly in AJAX’s fo r w a r d 5 0 a s a r e s u l t o f outstanding forward pressure.

AJAX’s defence was resolute. Debutant Richie Simon’s poise bel ied his inexperience. Caplan goaled as a result of a string of precision passing from Daniel Freed, Corey Jankie, Jason Seidl and Fayman. When Jake Lew kicked truly after Ashley Kalb burst through a pack AJAX was 5 goals to Old Brighton’s 1 goal.

The momentum of the match then showifted in the last 5 minutes of the first quarter. AJAX was placed under i n t e n s e p r e s s u r e a n d conceded only one goal thanks to strong defence including two big pack marks by Seidl.

Coach Sheehy was pleased with the first quarter and

praised the pressure placed by Nadav Harel, Josh Ludski and Adam Trytell.

The second term started with Old Brighton continuing its a s c e n d a n c y a s A J A X ’ s pressure dropped off. Old Brighton was so dominant that there was not a single entry into AJAX’s 50 for the first 10 minutes. It was only individual efforts such as a great mark from Simon and the poise of Jesse Kochen that limited the damage to just two goals.

A forward thrust from Nick Marks resulted in a goal by Lew against the run of play. That goal was the start of another momentum shift as AJAX’s intensity returned,

AJAX FC NEWSLETTERROUND 1 V OLD BRIGHTON

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ANZ Bank

typified by strong tackling from Blieden and some precision passing from Ruben Winograd. Midway through the term Josh Lu d s k i b u r s t t h r o u g h t h e midfield and kicked truly from 50 metres on the run. That was the last AJAX goal of the term as it grimly held on to go into the major break with the score AJAX 7.1 to Old Brighton 5.10.

At half time Sheehy implored the team to return to the intensity shown in the first quarter. He also moved Seidl to the forward line and told his midfielders to look for him.

Old Brighton started the third quarter brilliantly with two goals in the first five minutes. It was looking ominous for AJAX as Old Brighton’s talls were dominating both in the air and at the clearances.

It was at this time that AJAX could have capitulated and resorted to excuses such as the a b s e n c e o f s t a r p l a y e r s R i t t e r m a n , L e w s k i ( b o t h injured), White (travelling), Laitt and Weiszlitzer (both retired). But this team is made of resilient stuff. Josh Ludski lifted in the midfield followed by Routman, Marks, Steinberg and Blieden. Ruckmen David Burns and Josh Dorevitch also played valiantly, refusing to back down at any s t a ge a ga i n s t m u ch t a l l e r opposition and more experienced opponents.

W h e n L e w g o a l e d a f t e r a beautifully weighted pass from Warren Steinberg, AJAX again hit the front midway through the third quarter.A war of attrition followed with AJAX’s defenders standing up in the face of intense pressure. Marks then passed to Seidl who kicked a team lifting goal from 50 metres. Dorevitch lifted as Seidl came off with a shoulder injury.

The last five minutes of the quarter again saw Old Brighton

completely dominate and it was only its bad kicking, AJAX’s strong defence and a goal from Jared Ludski after a dynamic burst through the middle by Corey Jankie that allowed AJAX to be down by only five points at three quarter time.

Sheehy told the players at the final break to be more adventurous, to run and handball more and to take risks.

The final quarter was a classic and saw AJAX at its never say die best. Intense pressure out of defence culminated with Fayman kicking truly after great efforts from Winograd and Steinberg.

Marks led a resurgent midfield. Ultimately Harel snapped a brilliant goal which put AJAX into the lead.

The lead then see-sawed several times. Lew passed to Steinberg w h o m a r k e d o v e r t a l l e r opposition to put AJAX seven points ahead. Freed, Marks and Caplan combined to pass to Lew in the forward pocket. From an impossible angle, Lew put his hand up for goal of the year with a freakish snap to give AJAX a fourteen point lead. Old Brighton then immediately replied with two goals reducing the margin back to two points.

A passage involving Caplan, Josh Ludski, the magic of Routman and Fayman led to another Lew goal extending AJAX’s lead to 7 points at the 22 minute mark.

Old Brighton immediately replied with a goal and then won the next centre clearance. The ball was locked in the Old Brighton forward line for several minutes with AJAX players now playing “crazy brave” football in a last ditch desperate attempt to preserve their lead. Old Brighton kept on coming at AJAX and the match was in the balance as late as the 26 minute mark. Trytell then executed a brilliant tackle just as Old Brighton threatened

to break away and followed it up with a goal after another tackle by Blieden. Full back Kochen had the final say with a composed mark deep in defence.

AJAX is determined to not repeat its last experience in B Grade when it was relegated a f t e r o n ly o n e ye a r. T h i s memorable win against Old Brighton, which finished third last year, shows that this AJAX team well and truly belongs in B Grade.

Next week AJAX tackle Old Haileybury at McKinnon Reserve, cnr Tucker & McKinnon Road.

The reserves with 13 new players performed admirably against last year’s premiership team who were undefeated for the year. After snatching the lead from Old Brighton who had led for most of the game AJAX just failed in the dying minutes when the visitors scored their only goal for the quarter. Brad Caplan and Geoff Measey were good players and will press for senior selection.

Both the Under 19 and thirds teams were disappointingly undermanned and were overwhelmed by their opponents.

Seniors AJAX 5.0 7.1 10.5 17.7.109Old Brighton 2.4 5.10 9.16 14.17.101

Goals: D.Fayman 5, J.Lew 5, A. Caplan, Josh Ludski, Jarryd Ludski, J.Seidl, N.Harel, W.Steinberg, A.Trytell

Best: N.Marks, D.Fayman, W.Steinberg, Josh Ludski, J.Lew ,M.Jankie

ReservesAJAX 1.1 3.2 5.6 7.8.50Old Brighton 2.3 4.6 6.10 7.13.55

Goals: A.Berman, B.Caplan, E.Lang, L.Peters, J.Sacks, N.Shulman, G.Silbert

Best: B.Caplan, G.Measey, L.Peters, J.Sacks, D.Steinberg, S.Fayman

Thirds AJAX 0.1 3.1 5.4 5.5.35 Old Brighton 3.6 12.11 15.14 24.19.163

Goals: Friede 2, J.Feldy, B.Lukav , J.Wajnberg

Best: R.White, S.Friede, A.Wytwornik, D.Wloszczowski, B.Lukav, A.Cooper

Under 19’sAJAX 0.1 1.4 5.8 7.9.51W’town CYMS 9.5 13.6 20.6 26.7.163

Goals: M.Feiler, B.Goldman, R.Miller, Z.Goldberg, Z.Braun, A.Shenker, I.Beneli

Best: J.Sharpe, R.Abraham, A,Shenker, D.Klotnick, A.Lerner, M.Miller

Next week

Seniors/Reserves V Old Haileybury at McKinnon Reserve,McKinnon 68G11 2pm & 11.40am

Thirds V Northern Blues Preston City Oval , Cramer St Preston 18 F12 11.40am

Under 19’s V Old Geelong , Como Park South Yarra. 2 C3 9.20am

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AJAX Presidents Lunch & Premiership Flag Unfurling

Round 1 at Gary Smorgon Oval also saw the President’s lunch being held in the David Merkel Social room in the David Mandie Pavilion.Our Major Sponsor Teska Carson and club sponsors ANZ Bank , Brighton Toyota and Pratt Foundation were represented and we thankthem all for their generosity and support of the AJAX Football Club. A large number of 1999 Senior and Reserve Premiership teams were in attendance and 1999 Premiership Skipper Martin Halphen spoketo the crowd with assistance of Andrew Kalinski and Matt Dudakov, keeping amused and informed. After the lunch Pauline Caven , partner of senior coach Bernie Sheehy , unfurled the 2011 Senior premiership flag and Yvonne Fayman, wife of our President , unfurled the 2011 Reserve premiership flag to much applause. It was great to see so many Jackas, past players and supporters being there until the end of the senior game which proved to be a nailbiting game that went down to the wire.

U9 Comets: Waverley Park Whites 2.3 (15) def Ajax 2.2 (14) (Goals: Ilaide-Leeds, Kavallero Best: Briskin, Davis, Goldfarb, Lindell, Lowe, Nissen )

U9 Jets: St Peters Green 10.9 (69) def Ajax 1.5 (11) (Goals: Zielinski. Best: Efron, Ehrlich, Klooger, Landau, Lipszyc, Olcha)

U9 Stars: Ajax 18.9 (117) def Port Melbourne Colts 0.1 (1) (Goals: Kanat 4, Bardas 3, Freedman 3, Maisner 2, H Sheezel 2, Chrapot, Eliau, C Sheezel, Spicer Best: Bardas, Chrapot, Carrik, Rosenberg, Spicer, Wrobel)

U10 Comets: Mt Waverley 8.8. (56) def Ajax 6.4 (40) (Goals: Davis 2, Gross 2, Deane, Weeden Best: Davis, Deane, Feldman, Gross, Marks, Weeden )

U10 Jets: Hampton 9.13 (67) def Ajax 1.0 (6) (Goals: Bursztyn Best: A Carp, Grodski, Lambert, Mitsel, New, Shostak.)

U11 Comets: Mordialic Braeside 2.12 (24) def Ajax 0.3 (3) (Best: Bloom, Harris, Joel, Peker, Siegel, Zukerman)

U11 Jets: East Sandringham 7.10 (52) def Ajax 2.5 (17) (Goals: Page, Sztrochlic Best:

Duieb, Garson, Goldberg, Jacobs, Nirens, Szuster)

U11 Stars: Ajax 10.8 (68) def Cheltenham 0.1 (1) (Goals : Chrapot 4, Winik 2, Krowitz, Machlin, Sachs, Wise. Best: Chrapot, Greenwell, Grunfeld, Sachs, Winik, Wise)

U12 Comets: Dingley 9.8 (62) def Ajax 6.7 (43) (Goals: Zielnski 4, Michelson, Wise, Best: Hendel, Michelson, Nirens, Wise, Zeimer, Zielinski )

U12 Jets: Dingley Red 5.15 (45) def Ajax 5.1 (31) (Goals: Braverman, Gold, Hymans, Jenshel, Lincoln Best: Hymans, Issko, Kaplan, Klooger, Reichenberg, Smart) .

U13 Comets: Ajax 11.15 (81) def Dingley 4.1 (25). (Goals: Berlinski 2, Carp 2, Kagan 2, Liberman 2, Hilton, Shapiro, Velleman Best: M. Bassat, Berlinski, Levin, Opat, Shapiro, Williams)

U13 Jets: Mt Waverly 19.21 (135) def Ajax 0.0 (0) (Best: Fraid, Herskope, Herszberg, Lazar, Lipshut, Riordan)

U14 Comets: East Sandringham 17.17 (119) def Ajax 3.3 (21) (Goals: Amar, Givoni, A Miller Best: Cohen, Givoni, Lebowitz, A Miller, Nadelman, Port)

U14 Jets: East Malvern 13.7.85 def Ajax 7.3 (45) (Goals: Klooger 2, Carp, J.Cohen, Davis, Katz, Sandler Best: Carp, J Cohen, R Cohen, Krakauer, Sandler, Wise)

U15 Comets: East Malvern 11.13 (79) def Ajax 8.6 (54) (Goals: Ash 2, Ifergan 2, Paltiel 2, Aarons, Faiman Best: Aarons, Korman, Lipton, Michelson, Paltiel, Weinmann )

U15 Jets: East Sandringham 14.11 (95) def Ajax 3.2 (20) (Goals: Joseph, Paluch, Slonim.Best: Fisher, Gaddie, Kagan, Keller, Krongold, Wasbutski.)

U16: Ajax 8.11 (59) def St Kilda City 6.14 (50) (Goals: Stock 2, Chabat, Fitt, Herszberg, Rosenthal, Weeden, Zeldin Best: Chabat, Herszberg, Rosenthal, Stock, Vellerman, Zeilinski)

U17: Ormond 16.13 (109) def Ajax 7.7 (49) (Goals: Berkowitz 2, Kedar, Klotnick, Paltiel, Rechtman, Saltzman Best: Fetter, Lustig, Penso, Rothschild, Slade, Yarrow.)

AJAX FC JUNIORS