ASHLEY SHENKER

THE AJAX Under-19 footy team bowed out of the finals race after suffering a heavy defeat to Old Mentonians 12.6 (78) to 23.16 (154) in the preliminary final on Sunday September 6.

After a solid first half where AJAX went into the long break three points up, the team was overrun by the fast-finishing Old Mentonians who kicked 16 goals to AJAX’s three.

Jake Lew starred up forward with six goals and Adam Caplan scored three goals. Josh Ludksi battled hard in the midfield, and Michael Shafar and Joel Gocs were solid in defence.

The first quarter was full of strong tackles and lots of contests around the ground. Captain Ashley Kalb took advantage of a stoppage clearance and kicked the first goal of the game from 40 metres.

Lew kicked the next two goals, but the Jackas lost momentum as Old Mentonians slotted two in a row to reduce the margin.

In the second quarter it was goal for goal as Lew kicked one early for the Jackas, and then David Selzer won a free kick in the goal square. The Jackas got their hands on the footy first and scored another two goals through Josh Mendies and Caplan.

However, similar to the first quarter, Old Mentonians regained the momentum and kicked several goals, including one after the siren.

After half-time, Old Mentonians piled on the pressure and kicked nine unanswered goals to the Jackas’ two points to lead by 53 points.

The Old Mentonians continued their scoring spree in the last quarter, kicking seven goals to the Jackas’ three goals. Lew kicked two goals to take his match tally to six, and Caplan unloaded a massive torpedo from outside the 50-metre mark to convert.

The Under-19 team finished second after the home-and-away series, but lost its two finals matches to end its season at the Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham, on Sunday.

AJAX: 4.0 9.0 9.2 12.6 (78)

Old Mentonians: 2.5 7.9 16.13 23.16 (154)

Goals: Lew 6, Caplan 3, Kalb, D. Selzer, Mendies

Best: Mendies, Gocs, Lew, D. Selzer, Shafar, Strauch