2024 AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series Review
225 South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) Under 14 and Under 15 Boys and Girls took part in the AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series as part of the SMJFL Interleague program. The SMJFL Interleague program is brought to life through the incredible work and collaboration between the SMJFL and the STK Academy (St Kilda Football Club). The SMJFL played against other metropolitan football leagues in what was a skillful and competitive standard of football across the series.
In 2024, the SMJFL submitted a record-breaking nine teams into the competition and whilst teams played against all the other metro leagues, the most exciting match ups were against the Frankston District Junior Football League, who also share an alliance with the St Kilda Academy program. The match ups were tough and played in a competitive spirit; SMJFL were able to come away with 3 wins out of 5 games against the FDJFL. The SMJFL hopes to be able to continue this academy program rivalry in future development series.
U15 Girls Division 1 Stars
Photographer: Gary Bradshaw Photography
"The SMJFL program within the AFL Vic Metro Development Series keeps hitting new highs and 2024 was no exception. In 2024 we broke the record for number of matches won, but more importantly, we hugely exceeded the participation record for prior years. In fact, SMJFL had the highest participants of any league in the series.
Being able to offer a growing number of players a pathway experience is our proudest moment. Our High Performance staff responsible for injury prevention and warm up were at every game, our coaches are all highly credentialed and our grounds were some of the best community grounds in the country. We found a way to celebrate at both a team and individual level after each match. Each game was recorded and reviewed and the post match recovery was hosted at the Foundry's incredible facilities.
We look forward to seeing many of the representative players extend their playing careers within the Coates Talent League and we cannot wait to see how each of our clubs learn and grow from the experience that their players take back to community teams" Gab Suriano, SMJFL Director of Pathways and Head of Female Football explained.
The SMJFL would like to thank all staff and Club volunteers who played a part in bringing the series to life and a big thank you to St Kilda Football Club for allowing us to play on RSEA Park, Oakleigh JFC for hosting games at Scammell Reserve, Cheltenham JFC for hosting games at Le Page Park, and East Brighton Vampires JFC for hosting games at Hurlingham Park.
To view photography from the SMJFL home games, please see below:
