R12 2025 | Dev Squad vs AJAX
Sunday arrived, and with it came Round 12. We were up against a familiar opponent in AJAX, a side we narrowly beat in a memorable Round 2 thriller. Since then, they had caught fire, stringing together seven consecutive wins and establishing themselves as genuine premiership contenders. After three losses across the club on Saturday, the pressure was on the JnrCorns to fly the flag and return us to the winners list.
This week saw the return of Oscar Eberbach after some strong Reserves form, as well as the inclusion of Lachie Fearn and Jackson Daher. We also welcomed debutant Ollie Edmonds, who had been training with us all season and finally got his shot.
Once again, a sluggish start hurt us. AJAX came out firing, registering the first seven inside 50s before we managed one of our own around the 10-minute mark. Despite the slow entry, Matt Haberfield, Ben Tyrrell, and Asher Claney started strongly, working in tandem with Eberbach’s solid ruckwork. In defence, Liam Leeden and debutant Ollie Edmonds were instrumental, combining brilliantly to shut down AJAX’s forward momentum and limit the damage to just an 8-point deficit. Then the switch flicked. Ball movement improved, Aaron Shipperlee hit the scoreboard, and Aaron Turner nailed one after great work up the wing. At quarter time, we had taken the lead 17 to 14.
The second quarter mirrored the first. We dominated patches of play but were wasteful in front of goal. AJAX, despite fewer chances, were more efficient inside 50. Our inaccuracy kept the score tight, but we still led 28 to 24 at the main break.
Half time was timely, with the heat starting to drain even our fittest players. Unfortunately, it was AJAX who responded better after the break. Their rebounding from defence carved us through the middle and stretched our backline, even as the O’Halloran brothers threw themselves into every contest. Our forward connection dropped away again, and we managed only a single goal through Lachlan Sharrock. AJAX kicked four for the quarter, opening up a 15-point lead heading into the final term.
To call what followed a spray would be an understatement. Assistant Coach Joseph Pious delivered a fiery message that hit home after a flat third quarter. The boys knew what was required. Now it was time to show it.
The response was immediate. A wave of pressure from our midfield resulted in a scrappy but vital toe-poke goal from Lachie Fearn, cutting the margin to 9. Then came the turning point. After being challenged by Coach Kevin Pious at the break, Aaron Shipperlee stepped up with two huge contested marks and slotted both set shots from 40 meters out. We were in front by 3 points. AJAX answered quickly with one of their own to regain the lead. With ten minutes to play, the stage was set for one last push. Enter Michael Van Benten. He clunked two big grabs and converted both, swinging the momentum back in our favour. Matt Haberfield capped off a huge day in the midfield with a running goal to stretch the lead, and then Lachlan Sharrock sealed it with a stunning check-side finish, running away in celebration as the lead extended to 18 points.
The coaching group sent the final message through Adam Pacak.
Shut the game down.
And that’s exactly what we did. Our defensive unit stood tall, and when AJAX surged forward one last time, Max Nash delivered a bone-crunching tackle just outside their forward 50, stopping them in their tracks and icing the game.
Siren. Game over. JnrCorn’s W.
The crowd erupted. The song was belted out with pride. It was another Sunday epic against AJAX, another classic in our growing rivalry. The resilience shown by this group in the final quarter was something special. With the bye up next, this win might just be the turning point we look back on as the moment we reset for a serious charge towards finals.
Final Score: MHSOBFC Dev Squad 10.16-76 defeated by AJAX 8.10-58.
Goalkickers: A.Shipperlee 4, M.Van Benten 2, L.Sharrock 2, L.Fearn, M.Haberfield.
Best Players: Matt Haberfield, Ben Tyrrell, Oscar Eberbach, Michael Van Benten, Aaron Shipperlee, Lachlan Sharrock.