AJAX skipper Dave Gelbart in action last season. Photo: AJN file

SIMON MORAWETZ

THE Maccabi AJAX First XI is on the brink of defeat after day one of its contest against Murrumbeena, following a disappointing showing with the bat.

At the close of play, Murrumbeena was just 16 runs from victory with eight wickets in hand, chasing the visitors’ 144.

But there were positive signs for the future, with debutant Devan Spilkin impressing in his first outing for the team. Batting down the order, Spilkin crafted an unbeaten 32, the highest score for the side.

Former Maccabi AJAX batsman Troy Lamb put his old side to the sword, crashing 77 not out from just 88 deliveries to put Murrumbeena in the box seat.

The First XI won the toss in its match at Murrumbeena and elected to bat, but when opener Bloch was trapped in front, a collapse followed.

Reeling at 4-28, the Firsts rallied through David Fayman and skipper Dave Gelbart, who added 25 for the fifth wicket. David Majtlis (21) and Gelbart (11) combined for a 14-run stand before the skipper was out, bringing Spilkin to the crease. Justin Kramersh made a useful 18, but Murrumbeena needed just 53 overs to skittle the Firsts.
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AJAX cricketers in action. Photo: AJN file

SIMON MORAWETZ

THE Maccabi AJAX First XI returned from its mid-season break in disappointing fashion, offering no resistance to Beaumaris in its one-day encounter in Melbourne on the weekend.

Rowan Bricker’s knock of 11 was Maccabi AJAX’s top score, as the Firsts battled to avoid an outright defeat.

The First XI lost the toss and was sent in to bat against an attack featuring a former Victorian paceman. Things got off to a bad start when opener David Majtlis edged one behind, and they got worse when his brother Brad left the ball onto his stumps.

When David Fayman was dismissed by a mercurial catch at gully, the score was 6-33.

The procession of batsmen continued with no-one able to make a start. Bricker was the only player to reach double figures, as the Firsts collapsed for just 59.
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First XI skipper Dave Gelbart shows his bowling style. Photo: AJN file

SIMON MORAWETZ

THE Maccabi AJAX First XI has its sights on a third-straight win after a strong showing with the ball on day one of its match against Brighton District in Melbourne.

Except for a frustrating partnership late in the day, the Firsts, led by yet another five-wicket haul from skipper Dave Gelbart, dominated to restrict Brighton District to 9-196.

The Firsts got off to the best possible start, removing both openers cheaply. They kept up the intensity to have Brighton reeling at 6-81.

A solid partnership pushed the score beyond 120, before the next wicket triggered another collapse, during which the side lost three wickets for just 12 runs.

But Brighton defied the odds to bat out their overs and Maccabi AJAX was left to rue a missed opportunity.
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Gary Blieden in action this year. Photo: AJN file/Peter Haskin

ASHLEY SHENKER

AJAX footballer Gary Blieden was rewarded for a stellar season with a second consecutive best and fairest award at AJAX’s presentation night on Tuesday.

Blieden was the standout player polling 90 votes, 20 clear of Mark Segal, who finished second with 70. Ruben Winograd completed the minor placings on 69.

The star midfielder polled in almost every game of the season. Blieden went on to scoop the awards pool, taking out the club’s most courageous award and the supporter’s vote.

Other awards presented to senior players were the most improved to leading goalkicker David Fayman, most determined to midfielder Josh Kalmus, the coaches award to Ben Kalmus, and best first-year player to speedy forward Josh Sacks.
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1979 AJAX premiership heroes (from left) Mordy Bromberg, Robbie Kaye, Sid Myers and Mark Feldy.

AJN STAFF

FORMER greats of the AJAX Football Club gathered at the weekend for a reunion of the 1979 and 1999 premiership sides.

President Brian Goldberg said he was hopeful legends like Rick Marks — who played in the 1979 grand final and coached the seniors to victory in 1999 — Mordy Bromberg, Barry Markoff and brothers Henry and Michael Ritterman would inspire the current playing group on to great things in 2010.

Goldberg, himself a member of the 1999 D-grade premiership side, said he was delighted at the chance to relive the halcyon days.

“I am excited to catch up with the club greats and my team mates and reflect on our glory days,” Goldberg said.
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AJAX Under-19 players in the three-quarter time huddle at the preliminary final on September 6.

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.
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TAHL LERNER

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.

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ASHLEY SHENKER

AJAX’s tilt at finals football is all but over, following a disappointing loss to bottom-placed Bulleen Templestowe on the weekend, 9.9 (63) to 16.5 (101) at Gary Smorgon Oval.

With just two games left this season, AJAX finds itself a game and a whopping 27.69 percentage points out of the top four and will need to win well in its remaining fixtures against Parkdale (eighth) and Mazenod (fifth) and have results go their way to sneak into the finals.

A win for fourth-placed Oakleigh against Old Geelong (seventh) this week, will put finals out of reach for AJAX.
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AJAX players in action earlier in the season. Photo: AJN file

ASHLEY SHENKER

AJAX has kept its finals hopes alive with victory over Monash Blues 15.10 (100) to 13.3 (81) on the weekend.

Looking to stay in touch with the top four after three consecutive losses, AJAX made six changes to the squad from last week, with skipper Jason Ritterman, Ronen Heine, David Fayman and Sam Chester among the inclusions.

In a hard-fought contest that saw AJAX lead for most of the day, but fail to pull away, the combination of Ben Kalmus (four goals) and Ben Hershan (three goals) proved the difference with the pair accounting for almost half the side’s score.
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CARLA LIVSHIZ

AJAX scored another confidence boosting win when it trounced Bulleen-Templestowe by 72 points 21.12 (141) to 10.9 (69) in a one-sided affair on Saturday. But the win came at a significant cost, with several key players sustaining injuries, headed by star key position player Jeremy Dukes, who was carried off with a knee injury in the third quarter. 

Skipper Jason Ritterman suffered a groin strain, Ronen Heine and Daniel Freed were both concussed and Gary Blieden received a broken nose. In the first quarter the Jackas gave Bulleen a real hiding, kicking 10 unanswered goals. 

David Fayman booted four gaols for the term, while Sam Chester kicked three goals. At the quarter time break, coach Bernie Sheehy praised the efforts of Jesse Osowicki and Marcus Jankie, who stepped up and filled the void created by the loss of Blieden. Read the full story