Match Report for Sunday Thirds – The Road to Finals

By Eitan Potash

Match Report for Sunday Thirds:

On Sunday, the 11th of August, the AJAX Sundays team showed everyone exactly what they’re about with an inspired elimination finals win over Fitzroy.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, with a huge turnout from the community, the ground was buzzing with energy from the get-go.

In their last encounter, AJAX secured a narrow 3-point victory over Fitzroy, setting up a blockbuster opening to the finals series.

The first quarter was very evenly contested as both teams found their feet, with Fitzroy going into the first break with an 8-point lead.

AJAX turned the game up a level in the second quarter with a quick-fire goal at the siren, and continued that way, with Gabe Jotkowitz (recently returning from injury) showing what the team was missing all year with some crucial goals.

At half-time, the atmosphere was electric, as the coaches addressed the team, calling on them to put the game to bed with an energetic second half. After a pump-up by vice-captain Eitan Potash, the team was back out onto the field, ready to go for quarter 3.

However, a fairly even term saw AJAX only increase their lead by a goal, to 14 points.

The fourth quarter has been a strength of the well-conditioned AJAX outfit the whole year, and Sunday was no different, outscoring Fitzroy 4 goals to 1 in the final term to bring about a game-high 27-point lead in an emphatic finish to an amazing game.

A strong performance by the midfield kept the ball in the forward half of the ground, with Gabe Jotkowitz (6), Akiva Fox (3), and Aden Katz (3) all kicking goals in what were likely individual best games from the three star forwards. The backline maintained their consistency from the entire season, with Matt Peker showing his standard of class, alongside Zac Maidenberg intercepting everything coming his way in a breakout performance.

Final scores:

AJAX: 15.8 – 98

Fitzroy: 10.11 – 71

Tune in for this week’s preliminary final against St Kevin’s, at 12:40 pm, Waverley Oval (Malvern). Expect a huge turnout from the St Kevin’s crowd, which needs to be matched by the community. Looking forward to it.

Photo credit: Sadya Liberow @creativecorner.com.au