Based on data received from team nominations, 207 junior teams will participate in the junior competition this season.
It is a significant increase on last year’s numbers where 190 teams played in the junior competition.
South Morang will again have the most number of teams, with the Lions set to field 21 teams, including three girls teams.
Montmorency will enter 18 teams, also with three girls teams, while Eltham has increased its team numbers to 16.
New club West Ivanhoe will field one side in its debut season, with the Roosters to begin life in the under-10s, while Thomastown juniors will have a team in each of the under-9s, under-11s and under-15s.
The rapid growth of Laurimar continues with the Power set to field seven teams in just its third year in the competition, up three teams on last year.
Meanwhile, the strength of girls football has forced an expansion to three girls competitions.
This season there will be separate under-19s, under-16s and under-13s competitions, replacing the existing youth girls competition which encompassed all girls aged 13-18.
A total of 10 teams will play girls football this season.
