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Trio of semis wins for AJAX

In a weekend that will be cherished in the annals of AJAX’s sporting history, all three teams came out victorious in the elimination semi-finals of the 2023 VAFA finals series. Whether it was a first-time win at Scammell Reserve for the women’s division 3 side, a massive nine-goal haul for Jarred Fibishenko in the men’s new division 4, or a team that played with “spirit, passion, and friendship” in Sunday thirds division 2, AJAX teams demonstrated an incredible level of skill, determination, and teamwork.

Women’s Division 3 Side: Breaking Records

The AJAX women’s division 3 side, popularly known as the Jackettes, achieved something extraordinary last weekend. They took on Oakleigh, an opponent they had previously defeated, but this time at Scammell Reserve—a venue where they had never won before. While the first quarter was fiercely contested, the Jackettes took control from the second quarter onwards, keeping Oakleigh goalless throughout the game. The final score was a decisive 4.10 (34) to 0.2 (2).

Milestones and Stars

It was a memorable game for Jessica Marget, who scored a terrific goal in her 100th game for the club. Lydia Rainey, a newcomer with only eight games under her belt, shone brilliantly on the wing.

Jackettes coach Joe Nankin expressed his pride, saying, “We’ve had really good consistency in defence this season—having the same back six—and our midfielders working well together to help them out.”

Men’s Thirds Footy: A Storming Debut Season

Switching to men’s thirds, AJAX’s new division 4 side continued their terrific form with a 17.7 (109) to 5.7 (37) thumping of Parkside at Gary Smorgon Oval. Remarkably, the team only joined the competition in round 5 but has since won 10 of their following 12 games to make the finals.

Star Player Alert

Jarred Fibishenko was the star of the match, scoring a nine-goal haul. This achievement is even more remarkable considering that he had recently completed a stellar basketball season, finishing as the men’s youth league 2’s top pointscorer.

Coach Adam Micmacher spoke about the team’s depth, stating, “There’s a lot of mateship and mutual respect in this group, which has added real depth to the club.”

Men’s Sunday Thirds Division 2: Spirit and Friendship

In a nail-biting contest, AJAX managed to defeat Williamstown 11.10 (76) to 9.11 (65). Despite Williamstown’s spirited comeback in the last quarter, the team held their ground and took back control to secure the win.

The X-Factor

Coach Michael Konsky credited “everyone playing their roles” as the key to their success. He mentioned the unique energy in the team, saying, “After my pre-game talk last Sunday, Yossi Jedwab played a shofar, and there was a roar among the team as if Sam Kerr had just kicked a goal in the World Cup – that’s what you want to hear as a coach!”

Upcoming Matches

The journey doesn’t end here. The Jackettes face Glen Eira at Elsternwick Park this Saturday from 10 am, while the men’s teams face off against Old Xaverians and Beaumaris in their respective preliminary finals this Sunday.

In summary, it was a weekend that not only produced wins across the board for AJAX teams but also showcased the extraordinary depth and spirit that lie within these groups. Whether they will go on to win the finals or not, this weekend’s performance is undoubtedly a monumental achievement that reflects the club’s ethos of teamwork, resilience, and excellence.

Catch them in action in the upcoming matches and let’s hope for an encore of this fantastic weekend!

Credit: AJN

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