Jews do Big V proud
TWO AJAX players were part of a winning Victorian team, which comfortably beat Tasmania in an interstate under-23 match at North Hobart oval on the weekend.
TWO AJAX players were part of a winning Victorian team, which comfortably beat Tasmania in an interstate under-23 match at North Hobart oval on the weekend.
Young guns Jake Lew and Josh Ludski were both selected for the second consecutive year to represent the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), while Jewish umpire Sam Levin also got the nod as part of the officiating crew.
Speaking to The AJN after the game, Lew was still buzzing from the experience, which he said was a privilege and a highlight of his burgeoning footy career.
“Last year, Luddo (Ludski) and I got selected and went to Adelaide and this year in Tasmania,” he said.
“The chance to play at a pretty high standard, interstate at that, is an amazing opportunity.
“And being able to do it with one of your best mates just makes it even better.”
Meanwhile, Ludski said that after his first interstate game was cut short following a severe corked thigh, he felt he “had some unfinished business and it was great to be given another shot.”
After a slow start, the VAFA under- 23s regained their composure, power- ing away to a 56-point win.
“We went there thinking ‘there is no way we’re gonna lose’. Victoria has never lost to Tassie in interstate footy,” Ludski said.
“But Tassie started really well and had all the play in the first five, 10 minutes, completely on top. If they took their chances who knows what could have happened.
“But once we got going, we killed them.”
Lew and Ludski, chosen for their stellar form this season in the forward line and midfield respectively, justified their spots with impressive out-puts, Lew kicking three goals and Ludski racking up possessions play- ing off the half-back line.
“Being my the second year of playing for Vic, I felt a lot less pressure and just got to enjoy myself,” Lew said, in a sentiment shared by his fellow AJAX player.
“We had a lot of time off the field, getting to hang out as a team.”
Still, both players relished game-day, as the match afforded Ludski and Lew different roles to their usual AJAX spots: Ludski in the backline compared to his standard midfield position and Lew, an unexpected leader.
“Josh and I were two of the older guys so we were chosen to be part of the leadership group, which was a new experience for me but a great one,” he said.
Levin, who on the weekends is found blowing the whistle at A-grade VAFA matches, was also honoured to have been selected.
“It’s really rare as an umpire to do any form of representative games, so it was a pretty great experience,” Levin said.
With umpires and players usually occupying very separate realms, the majority of Levin’s weekend was spent treated as just another player.
“I travelled down with the VAFA team, stayed with them, attended the team meetings, even trained with them one night,” he said.
“It honestly felt like I was part of the team.
“I even wanted to go up to players and give them a high five after the goals but that would have been a bit unprofessional.”
ADAM BLAU
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