ABOUT OUR VFL PROGRAM
In 2021, a new era for the Southport Sharks began with the amalgamation of the NEAFL and the VFL. The Sharks were one of six NEAFL clubs – (Aspley, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, GWS and Southport Sharks that entered the VFL). A year later, Aspley left the competition, so the Sharks are now the only VFL standalone club outside of Victoria. The 2021 VFL season was cut short due to covid. In 2022, we made the VFL Grand Final, losing to the Casey Demons, and in 2023, we finished 14 out of 21 teams. In 2024, Steve Daniel will be the Senior Coach for his seventh year in the role.
The 2024 VFL home and away season will consist of 21 rounds, with all teams to play 18 matches. A competition bye will be scheduled across the weekend of April 6-7 when the VFL will take on the SANFL in a representative clash in Adelaide during the AFL Gather Round weekend. It will be the VFL’s first representative game since 2017 and the first time the VFL takes on the SANFL since 2016.
The 2024 VFL season will again feature a Wildcard Round following its introduction in 2023. Wildcard Round will be played on the weekend of August 24-25 and will see the team that finishes the home and away season in seventh place on the ladder play against the team that finishes 10th, while eighth will take on ninth. The two Wildcard Round winners will advance to the 2024 VFL Finals Series.
The opening weekend of the 2024 VFL Finals Series, featuring the qualifying and elimination finals, will be played during the AFL pre-finals bye. The 2024 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final is scheduled to be played on Sunday, September 22, the weekend before the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Photo by KPM Images
VFL – 2024 clubsAligned to AFL clubs (14) – Box Hill Hawks (Hawthorn), Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Casey Demons (Melbourne), Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sandringham (St Kilda), Sydney SwansVFL standalone clubs (7) – Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Southport Sharks, Werribee, Williamstown
VFL Football Staff
Head Coach // Steven Daniel
Assistant Coaches // Matthew Primus, Andrew Boston, Scott Mathers, Luke Kennelly
Strength and Conditioning // Matthew Palmer
Physio // Tyson Mansbridge
Football Operations // Jarrod Field (General Manager), David Ashkar (Assistant Manager), Cameron Smith (Media)