Under-19s fall short in second semi
AJAX’S under-19 side has fallen agonizingly short in the second semifinal against Hampton Rovers at the weekend 15.20 (110) to 14.11 (95).
The AJAX midfield led by Captain Ashley Kalb, together with Mathew Nissen and Noah Rischin, dominated the first quarter. AJAX had three inside 50s early, with Josh Mendies kicking the Jackas first in the opening couple of minutes.
But Hampton hit back with two goals and began to dominate the clearances, forcing forward Jake Lew into the ruck for some added mobility.
The move was immediately successful with Lew dominating, while at ground level the side’s tackling intensity was fantastic.
A remarkable 13.11 was kicked between both teams, with Rovers taking a seven-point lead into the break.
The tackling and intensity continued from both sides in the second quarter and AJAX could have snatched the lead early, but its first two forward 50 entries resulted in behinds.
David Glass then kicked an early goal, while Adam Caplan was presenting well across half forward. But AJAX was missing crucial shots. With goals drying up after the glut in the first term, it was an arm-wrestle and AJAX went to half-time just one point in arrears.
After the main break, Mendies kicked an early goal followed by another from Glass a few minutes later, giving AJAX a handy 15-point lead.
Nissen was gaining important possessions around the ground, but AJAX was unable to maintain its dominance, with Hampton pegging back the deficit to trail by a point at three-quarter time.
AJAX lost key defenders Jesse Strauch and Rick Hill to injury early in the term but an early Selzer goal saw the side ahead by seven.
It was a hotly contested seesawing affair, with Hampton finally breaking the shackles to add three consecutive goals to take the game.
AJAX plays Old Mentonians in the preliminary final on Sunday at 11.30am at Trevor Barker Oval (Melway: 76 F8).
AJAX: 6.5 8.9 12.10 14.11 (95)
Hampton: 7.6 8.10 11.15 15.20 (110)
Goals: Glass 4, Mendies 3, Rischin 2, Selzer 2, Kalb, Lew, Ludski.
Best: Kalb, Strauch, Lew, Gocs, Selzer, Glass.