Wayne Oswald’s decisions shape Ajax’s form in 2024 as Richie Simon stars

When Wayne Oswald took over Ajax in December last year, a plan quickly evolved to lead the VAFA club into the future. This is what happened and the move coaching which sparked season best careers.

Ajax is in a strong position after the first 10 games of the season. Image: Cath Coady/VAFA Media.

When Wayne Oswald was appointed as Ajax coach in December last year, he was tasked with leading the club’s resurgence.

The club fresh off relegation from Premier B of the VAFA was planning its steps to rebound quickly.

“We had a lot of work to do,” Oswald said.

“When you win one game, we beat Monash (Blues) and Monash beat us, and they were the only games we won in B-grade.

“Just heading down to C-grade just isn’t going to fix that.”

After Oswald’s appointment, a meeting was called to help decide the next steps after the disappointment of the 2023 season.

“We got together pretty quickly with the senior stakeholders in terms of the club, the committee and footy ops and mapped out a plan that so far has worked out pretty well for us.”

Just 10 games into his return to the club, having previously coached the under-19s, Oswald has the Jackas sitting a game clear in second, leading the race for the double chance.

Some would argue the season is going better than “pretty well”.

He gives us an insight into the factors helping his side in 2024.

AJAX have had plenty of reason to smile. Photo: Cath Coady/VAFA Media.

THE TALK WHICH LAUNCHED THREE HUGE SEASONS

Looking at the Premier C goalkicking, you’d probably think Richie Simon’s 51 goals, a league high, meant it was an easy decision to put his magnet at full-forward on the coach’s whiteboard.

But those numbers have come out of the blue with the Ajax stalwart not having kicked more than 29 goals in a season since 2013.

“The decision throw Richie forward came after a conversation who could play at fullback,” Oswald said.

“Richie could player either but the coaching panel decided on Toby Lipton, a young guy in his early 20s. We spoke to him early in pre-season and he started working on his craft.

“He started to work out where he fit in down back among the three big talls and work out what his role was. He watches film, works really hard on his game.”

The move has worked wonders for the pair after they were named in the VAFA’s initial 50-man representative squad along teammate Toby Sheezel to take on the Bendigo league on July 6.

The squad is made up of players from Premier B to Division 3.

“They fit into our team well and that’s the strength of us,” Oswald said.

“Individually they are good players and we have a fair few others as well but it’s how they combine which makes us better.”

AJAX sit second on the ladder. Photo: Cath Coady/VAFA.

‘A WELL BALANCED’ TEAM

Oswald believes throughout the season he has been able to pick a well balanced side which is making his job much easier.

The Jackas are the most powerful team forward of centre in the competition.

“I don’t think an Ajax team has had that kind of height, strength and running capacity,” he said.

“We’ve got the ruck pair, so we can share that up, they can go forward. We’ve got three dominant forwards, there’s no secret there if you look at our goalkicking.

“There was a plan there to create a bit of a Geelong premiership front. Toby Sheezel fits in really well there, they tag him a bit which is understandable but he can just swing through the middle.”

Defensively, Oswald’s side has conceded an average of 62.8 points per game this season, the fourth least in the competition.

He puts it down to a solid defensive group.

“We’ve got a good seven who role through there,” he said.

“It’s a good team but it’s a good comp.”

THE COACHING METHOD

When it came to building the coaching staff, Oswald said it had been imperative to create a “panel” and not one single coach.

“We wanted someone looking at each area of the ground,” he said.

“We don’t tend to overly look at the opposition, we talk about our own game and try and review ourselves positively. We reinforce what we’re good at.

“No team is great at everything. We try and play on the back of what we’re strong with.”

One of the key lessons in games against the better sides in the division, including the weekend’s win over PEGS, has been “taking control of those arm wrestles” in close contests.

“They’re team defining moments,” Oswald said.

“That’s where you get belief from.”