How great was it to have a full year of football in after two years of interruption due to Covid-19 restrictions? It was rewarding to see all the players and their families smiling and enjoying the game we all love so much. Due to the interruption of the 2021 season and a massive influx of players, the start to 2022 proved to be a little more hectic than usual. Thanks to the hard work of the committee, everything ran smoothly.

2022 has again shown huge growth in players, one of the biggest for the U8-U10 age groups in the league. DMJFC fielded 325 junior players in 2022, up from 244 in 2021. This included 3 x full U8 teams, one of only three clubs to do so in FDJFL. We fielded 15 teams which included 3 x U8, 2 x U9, 2 x U10, 2 X U11, U12, U13, U14, U16 girls, U17, and U18 girls. DMJFC also ran 2 x Auskick Clinics based at Casey Fields and Glover Reserve.

Adding to this, DMJFC also fielded the inaugural DMJFC Womens side in the Southeast Womens Football League, with 25 registered players. What a year they had! Starting off in Division 3, the girls were dominant and moved up to division 2. Division 2 was a challenge but
the girls really enjoyed themselves.

DMJFC enjoyed history in the making with our very first female player drafted to the AFLW. A massive congratulations again to Charlotte Blair who was drafted to Collingwood. Charlotte is a great role model to our increasing female players and is looking forward to helping out around the club in years to come.

We were thrilled to have four teams out of a potential 8 qualify for finals this season. Congratulations to the U11 black, U14, U16 girls, and U18 girls. Both girls teams were lucky enough to play the first final at home, as we hosted the first week of finals. Unfortunately no
cups this year but a massive effort for all four teams. A special mention to our three grand finalists the U11 black, U14, and U16 girls.

Club Awards:
Best Club Person: Brianna Robertson
Club Champion: Charlotte Blair

League B and F:
U13 Runners up: Will Setford
U14 5th: Ky Cosgriff
U14 5th: Cody Ray
U14 3rd: Beau Alder
U18 girls Runners up: Poppy Gardner

2023 is set to be a massive year with a potential increase of 3-4 teams, and also the big move to our new facilities at Browns Road sometime April-June.

DMJFC has seen a return to most committee members, with the addition of a few new members. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers this year. From coaches, to runners, to committee members, they all did an outstanding job in ensuring the smooth
running of the club and, most importantly, ensuring the kids can play the game we all love so much.

A special mention goes to Sammi Gonsalves who will be leaving us this year. Sammi came back as treasurer in 2022. She has been part of the committee for many years as a team manager, and several committee positions including team manager coordinator merchandise, and registrar. Sammi has been an incredible asset and always willing to take on more extra little jobs on top of the treasurer role. I want to thank Sammi for all of the time and effort she has put in. She will be greatly missed.

Bring on 2023!

Melanie Alder