R3 2025 | Dev Squad at AJAX
Round 3 presented a new challenge – and a golden opportunity – for the newly formed Development Squad: a Sunday 11 AM showdown against AJAX, on their turf. The sun was high, the heat was on, and the stage was set. With a reshuffled coaching lineup — assistant coach Joseph Pious stepping in for a one-off cameo to steady a youthful back six, and Adam Pacak joining forces with Kevin Pious — the JnrCorns were ready to take on the Jackas.
From the opening bounce, there was a different energy. Ruckman Oscar Eberbach dominated the skies, serving up silver-platter tap work to Lachie Fearn, Lachie Sharrock, and Kavish Tailor. Down forward, Aaron Shipperlee and Blake Italiano made no mistake, finishing off our early surges with class. Three quick goals had us humming, but AJAX weren’t going to lie down — a late goal from them narrowed the margin. Only brilliant intercept work from skipper Lachlan O’Halloran and driving rebounds from Jackson Daher and Callum Hackman kept us ahead at quarter time: 19-10.
The second quarter brought a fierce AJAX response, as the breeze lifted and the pressure mounted. Our defenders were thrown into the fire, but Riley O’Halloran, Austin Reynolds, and Lachie Lane stood tall, battling bravely against wave after wave. Even under siege, our ball movement shone when it counted — a stunning chain through the middle ended in another Aaron Shipperlee goal. Despite the best efforts of our defence, AJAX edged in front by the half: 37-33.
At the main break, the message was clear — this game is here to be won. With the wind at our backs, we surged. Lachie Fearn ignited the third term with an early goal, while the crumbing brilliance of Lachie Sharrock and Hamish Webb set the tone. Aaron Shipperlee and Bailey Gallop added majors to swing the momentum our way, giving us an 11-point buffer heading into the final stanza.
Then came the heart-stopper. AJAX threw everything at us. Inside 50s were stacked 15-4 their way in the last quarter, and our backline was tested like never before. Time and again, the likes of Jackson Daher, Callum Hackman, and Riley O’Halloran rose to the challenge, forcing stoppages, spoiling marks, and turning AJAX’s attacks into rushed behinds. Wingers Ewen Kossyvas, Arush Jhunjhunwala, Jonty Chandler, and Sam King all rotated down back to provide extra coverage all day. Yet, with five minutes to play, the scores were locked.
Someone had to break the deadlock.
Enter Kavish Tailor.
After a fierce contest inside the forward 50, Kavish swooped on a loose ball, snapped brilliantly off his left boot, and watched it sail through, splitting the middle and silencing the AJAX crowd. The JnrCorns faithful erupted. The final siren rang moments later, confirming a gutsy six-point victory: a moment 603 days in the making.
The song might’ve been a bit rusty, but the smiles, the passion, and the belief were undeniable. One win down, and the hunger only grows. Next week, we chase back-to-back glory against Old Melburnians.
Final Score: MHSOBFC Dev Squad 9.7-61 defeated AJAX 6.19- 55.
Goalkickers: A. Shipperlee 3, B. Italiano 2, K. Tailor 2, L. Fearn, B. Gallop.
Best Players: O. Eberbach, A. Shipperlee, K. Tailor, H. Webb, L. Sharrock, L. O’Halloran.