2024 SANFL Underage Fixture Release

By ZAC MILBANK

Maximising availability for all players has again been a key focus in the release of the SANFL U18 and U16 fixtures for season 2024.

As many as five byes for the U18s and six byes for the U16s have been included to ensure players with college commitments have more opportunity to also represent their SANFL clubs during the minor round.

Now entering the third season of successfully introducing bye rounds for the U18 AFL National Championships and Inter Col weekend, midweek matches will again be another measure to ensure the state’s best footballers are showcased in both competitions.

Introduced for the first time in 2023, a full round of mid-week evening matches will again form an innovative feature of the SANFL U18 and U16 fixtures.

Round 9 games in the SANFL U18s and Round 8 U16 matches will be played across Tuesday May 21 and Wednesday May 22, with the times to be confirmed.

The SANFL U18 and U16s begin a week earlier than the Hostplus SANFL League and Reserves on the weekend of Saturday March 23 before concluding with a double-header Grand Final at Adelaide Oval as curtain-raisers to the Hostplus SANFL League Preliminary Final on Sunday September 15.

As SANFL continues to bolster its talent pathway, it has also introduced an U14 competition for the first time in 2024.

Starting on Saturday February 24 and concluding on Saturday April 13, the season will consist of seven minor round matches – allowing each team to play each other once.

With no finals series scheduled, the team placed on top of the ladder at the end of the minor round will be declared premier.

”We’re really excited to extend SANFL’s talent pathway with the introduction of the U14 competition in 2024,” SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey said.

“To have it played in the early part of the season ensures all players will still be available for selection at their Community Football club while also making the most of the finer weather.”